Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-09-03
THE EVENING STORY.
On Show.
Copyright. 1918, BY W. werner.)


For two weeks the Merton family had
lived in an excessively clean, polite at
mosphere. Instead Of changing to q
shabby but comfortable smoking Jacket
when he came home from the office at
night Rita's father changed to the stiff
discomfort Of a clean collar Her mother
with less grumbling but as much secret
regret kept her hair primped and fixed
herself up as much for breakfast as she
was accustomed to for dinner.
Professor Rayley. who was visiting the
Ellises across the street, had q habit Of
dropping in at tho most inconvenient
times, and Rita had impressed them all
with the knowledge that in the eastern
home Professor Rayley. who held the
chair OF mathematics at a big college. was
used to people and a menage that was
Just So" Rita had met him when she
went east to visit an aunt. 1t happened
that he and Tom Ellis had been class
mates years before. Professor Rayley
was nearer 40 than 80. Soon after Rita
returned home he came out to visit his
till then neglected friend. And the Mer-
tons, Elises and the whole town knew
without any guesswork that Rita was the
object. Rita herself professed entire un-
concern as to the object of his visit. but
she was solicitous that the family should
appear before him in the best possible
light.
considering that Rita is q and has
never before cared red cent who knew
our vulgar ways. this is sufficient EVIL
dence to any one with a grain of gump-
tion." said Bert. her youngest brother.
And l wish to goodness that they'd get
1t settled. l am not going to watch my
grammar and polish my shoes much
longer
Rita's mother hastily hushed him. They
were In the living room. where Mrs. Mer-
ton was trying to appear interested in a
classical but uninteresting magazine when
her brain yearningly asked for certain
thrilling novel.
II suppose he'll be here for supper
grumbled Ed. who came in Just then.
Dinner" his mother hastily corrected
with an apprehensive glance at the
piazza where Rita and the professor were
You don't want to hurt Rita's feelings.
and he'll only be In town another day"
And you bet I'm darned glad said
Bert But nevertheless he lowered his
voice to cautious whisper. It was not
sacrifices. Say. ma
Don't call me ma" irritably. Say
mother Rita"
well, mother with asperity. I'm dog
goned tired OF drinking coffee at night out
of those Haviland peanut shells. Why
can't we have decent sized cups"
Because the larger cups are too thick
for use.'' she explained patiently. when
we have company: And It's for SO short
a time" pleadingly.
"Itn be for the rest OF our lives II Rita
marries him." Ed cut in grumpishly.
.'There'I never be any pleasure visiting
Rita and having them here Why can't
Rita take one Of our own kind?'
Rita's mother sighed. She. too, had
thought of that. But she summoned a
smile instantly. Rita and Professor Ray
ley were coming in. Presently she went
into the kitchen to prepare dinner. and
Rita followed to arrange the table. leav-
ing the boys to entertain the professor.
Rita was unusually silent as she got out
the frail. dainty Haviland that the boys
detested. Her eyes, violet and black
fringed, held a soft but distracted light
Her mother sighed Rita was the only
daughter. It would be hard to have her
marry and go away.
Dinner was a sociable affair, in spite
Of the peanut SHELF cups and salad and
wafer flummeries that the boys detested.
Professor Rayley. though cultured and