Evening star., 1921-12-07
angels Rush in Where Fools
Fear to Tread

lust how Mrs. Thorne Blaisdell
: found time for all the things
IA she wedged into her busy days
she sometimes wondered her
self Her guest. Merriam Lindsay,
protested when her hostess drove a
/ beautifully appointed sedan through
the Blaisdell side drive. as she re-
marked. casually. II feel like gadding.
1 think I'll run you over to Rosedale
instead of to the train-
ooh. you shan't," Merriam's guilty
conscience smote her; you've thou
sand things waiting after having so
many of US here"
Merriam was the last guest to leave.
Nan Blaisdell had managed by many
preteXtS to keep her until late after
noon. For the shrewd hostess had
known that Merriam and her youth
full husband had scarcely been on
ing their visit.
Put it down to curiosity, not
friendliness," Nan bantered. you've
never asked me to see your pretty
house. You've never told why you
dared get married while was abroad.
Though. of course she chuckled. ''di-
rectly l saw the handsome hero
Johns awf'ly good looking" Mer-
riam agreed. half-heartedly.
And as stubborn as young mule.
eh?" Nan said it SO gaily that John
himself couldn't have been offended
had he been with them.
John had driven into town that
morning with his host, after bidding
his hostess somewhat awkward
farewell. He hadn't been downright
rude, but he had not concealed the
fact that he had not enjoyed himself.
All of which sensible Nan Blaisdell
had not resented.
She did not speak Of John again
during the long drive cross country.
Merriam, usually a chatterbox. was
silent, except when her hostess asked
direct questions.
The rain that had threatened all
day held off until just before they
reached Merriam's modest suburb.
Nan slowed down to adjust rain
shield. She cast plying glance at
her guests downcast profile. Mer-
riam was rather like an unhappy lit
slowly.
Merry" she remarked, abruptly.
do you know I'm almost old enough
to be your mother?"
Merriam did not vouchsafe so much
as polite nothing. She just nodded
her bronze curls.
THAT doesn't mean very much to
YOU, because you didn't know very
much about mothers" Nan patted
Merriam's knee yours was very
dear woman, -Thorne tells me. 1t
didn't seem quite fair that she had to
into it,"
"It's-it's not fair of you," Mer-
riam protested. passionately, ito try
to make me cry because You want to
scold me-
oh, f,H1 {NHc VTyoY n
an excuse to tell you that I dug a
rather silly letter Richard Slocum
seems to have written you out of my
son Halls sport coat pocket. Hal says
Geo Leland meant it to go in johns
pocket-that his coat and Johns were
all tweed coats look alike to trouble
making old maids
Merriam's cheeks were poppy pink.
II didn't know you-
KNEW that Rich had been moon
ing a bit about you? Tut! Tut! my
dear. don't you know every hostess
is a good 'dectectatIf' when danger
Gus bachelor invites himself to a
week end party?" She stopped her
car, but made no effort to let Merriam
jump out.
Rich is all right" Merry, she ended.
He's just spoiled person who has al
ways had his own way about everything
ne WdHlcu-CASSPS yoos - J oOA OAoA-
ress to make him realize that he
doesn't actually want you. So that's
that" she leaned out to wave her
hand. Good gracious. there's your
disconsolate husband locked out of
his house and home!
She continued to chat gaily while
John helped Merriam out and carried
the bags to the porch. She jumped
out herself and ran in to exclaim
about the fireplace and the pantry
and everything else in the wee house.
And when she had dashed through it
and was standing in the doorway
giving Merriam goodbye squeeze
she put firm hand into Johns un-
willing one.
Goodbye, chickabidees," she said.
II know John thinks I'm nosey old
lady. I am. A sentimental one, too.
It's done me lots of good to have you
with us. You see, Thorne and
started housekeeping years ago in a
much timer house than this one. But
we found it was big enough to make