Evening star., 1922-06-18
By Mary Stewart Cutting

| first inevitable words OF horrifed sur
prise and protest.
| She hugged the baby to her, q little
fat warm bundle. as her one COM
fort in this dreadful, endless day.
before putting him to bed.
well, you are all dressed, I see"
said the major. signing. my. my. it
seems to be raining harder than
ever! It will be pretty tough on the
boy to go out again tonight. and
you won't want to go without him.
| I intended this for a pleasure you.
know, my dear, but I suppose we'll
Just have to give 1t up this time"
Not a bit Of it," said Sally. with
forced cheeriness. Waste all those
lovely tickets? Not much"
She went to tho front door and
looked out into the downpour; no
signs Of her husband. But the major
had followed her.
She got away from him and slipped
down the basement stairs to peer out
secretly from the lower door.
where are you, Sally?" he called.
Come up here. my dear"
There began a wild game of hide
and seek. Sally and the major. each
on the watch for the first glimpse of
the homecomer. She swept the chill
dren out of her way. when, evading
her father. she dashed up or down
to either point of advantage.
Don't put dinner on the table yet
she ordered Maggie.
Ellyn was having hers on a tray
in her room and trying a new com.
plexion. cream. Howard was still
glued to the Hound Of the Basker-
villes." The major settled into q
steady walk forward and back in the
upper hall. opening the front door
at each round to look out. and Sally
in desperation took her stand hall
in the wet arsaway. Would Carleton
never come?
A T last, at last, through the dark
~ ness Of the deluge his figure ma
ing his umbrella he turned toward
the upper steps. HIS arms were full
Of bundles.
"oh. Carleton. Carleton! Come this
way. down here!"
Her hands CROPPED for him. dragged
him to her. The touch Of his dear
body. even in his wet overcoat
seemed salvation. though he had ar
effect Of resistance. as II the dividing
haze Of the last few days was still,
there.
whats the matter? Let's get in.
side"
, mo. no! wait a moment. I've go,
to speak where father can't hear. HI
Say It quick, then! I've been ou
all the afternoon In these inferna
shoes. My toe"
"Oh, know it all. dearw Hel
whispered words came in a torrent
Il tried to set you on the phone tc
remind you-this is the night OF
fathers treat. that he's been plan
ming for months-not tomorrow. a
you thought"
Tonight! Holy mackerel"
He stood staring incredulously a
her In the ray of light from the half
. closed door behind them.
well. you can count me out, then
You don't mean you want me to &
, back to town now?" His voice wa.
outraged.
mo. no, dear, Don't talk SO loud
wouldn't have you do that for the
world. I've been so sorry for you
But-but-" Her agonixed voic,
broke. Please. please. don't speal
that way to father. II you can onl.
say something's don't know what
to sound as If you were disappointed
1t might make things easier for him
It's been such a dreadful day, How
ard and Ellyn have been acting up
and won't go. and l can't get any on
else on those tickets. and father
heartbroken on your account. l can
tell you how he's been watching tn
weather: it's nearly killed him"
Lets get inside" said her hus
band again. He deposited his pack
ages on the floor. Here are tn
coffee and the bacon and the or
anges."
For a moment her world hung Il
the balance. The small face raise
to his WAS white and drawn. wilt
frightened eyes: SO had she looked tn
night before the baby was born.