Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1922-01-09
Twilight Confessions.

TT was an embarrassing moment
for Merriam Lindsay when her
visitor. Nan Blaisdell. came upon
the hidden pawn tickets. She
tried to hold her curly head high. but
her under lip quivered like a childs.
Nan herself, murmuring an apology.
went over to sit on the end of the
chintz covered chaiSelongue and
caught Merriam's little hand in her
strong. capable one.
you bothered baby" she exclaimed
remorsefully, why didn't you tell me
that things had been as bad as all
that?'
Merriam Struggled againf her
white haired friend.
Things aren't bad now she STAN
mered. That was weeks ago when
IL" the whole clumsy story came
out in tumbling sentences. You see,
Nan. it was when John was working
for Rich Slocum and well, l-Rich
saw what heaps of things l didn't
have, and SO he-he-said if I'd be
John had more money. So he gave
him more and Il wasn't very nice
to Rich-and finally things got too
awful. So John resigned-and he
doesn't know it. but 1 pawned those
things and sent Rich a check for all
but. oh. Nan" she drew long
breath. Rich has never cashed that
check and he's gone away and"
Hmm" Mans practical voice
broke in upon the flood of the
aren't very old and you haven't been
married very long, of course; but
do think that you're old enough that
you ought to have known better than
all that
triteness itself, but she couldn't help
enjoying discussing her past. Tt
it was before 1 knew about the baby's
coming, Nan-and truly. / didn't
mean to let Rich say what he said"
But you liked having him sorry
for you and incoming around you. It's
bad enough for a girl to firt, but
for a married womanNoh, Merry, l
didn't think it of you! Suppose Rich
had fallen in love with you"
: "He-he-" Merriam wet her lips
Nan. that's the wickedest part. You
see, he was-before l married John,
and 1 did know it because he told me
so there's nothing you can say that
will make me more ashamed than am
already she burrowed her head
deeper into Mans comfortable shoulder.
She didn't know that Nan was grinning
a little at her tragic confessions.
|. $50 long as it's a lesson to you,"
Nan tried to sound very condemnatory,
81 suppose it doesn't matter about poor
Rich's feelings. But l should judge
from your own admissions that it's a
good thing I'm turning Susan Sue over
to this household. She's not only ex-
pert at sewing on buttons and general
housework, but she's very good chap
eron. 1 shall explain to her that she
must watch carefully" Mans eyes
were twinkling.
Merriam's head bobbed up in time to
catch the twinkle. They laughed to-
gether. 1t was dusk. Nan rose to put
.TM take Susan back with me to-
night and bring her over, bag and
tSe Sc IN eoup p% s; she a Calmly
slowed the pawn tickets in her capa-
c;ous purse, 'Tll take them along.
tool always did like those rings and
bracelets of yours. I'm going down
there and get them out, and I shall
back to put her hands on Merriam's
shoulders. "Oh, my silly, silly little
dear!- she cautioned, Il suppose
there's no use trying to tell YOU
what chances women take when they
begin juggling with hearts and
fnancee-do you think you can be-
have yourself better now?"
Merriam twisted a button on Mans
coat, She felt and looked very small
standing beside her older friend.
"Oh, deed I shall, Man." she whis-
silly again, and I'll save awfully
hard to get out of debt and get my
things back from you. You've been
wonderful about Susan-and-and
| everything.
that" Nan held firmly to Merrys
| shoulders.
Tho bronze curls shook vehement1y.
Hes gone away. Il -,
land he'll come back" Nan spoke