Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1922-10-15
GOING BACK WITH CLARA
Tb May There One More Human Variety She Has Not
Previously Opera Singer Visits the Old
and Renews Acquaintance With poor Old Pele

Perley."
dear. you are quite right. I must
stay long enough to see Perley and
good old chenwick. shall do It to-
day-at once. And you-you must
come with me-"
oh" says I. Il wouldn't be much
help at fond reunion. like that"
"But I might not. know him by
sight" says she. land you could point
him out. Yes. need you. In an hour
shall be ready. Well. perhaps lit
tie longer. Bettina, come quickly"
AS a matter Of fact, her second
n guess was right, for 1t was nearly
two hours later. and after lot more
running around on the part Of her
whole force. .ha. Madam Caro- VS.
escorted out to the waiting Limousine.
But 1t was time we'll spent. I'll say.
for the magnificent creature who ap-
pears In a big fearher.d ha and a
stunning afternoon frock isn't any
thing at all like the middle-aged
party I'd seen finishing q ~ o'clock
breakfast.
The wrinkles had disappeared. a
lovely schoolgirly complexion bloom
ed on her smooth cheeks, and the
grayish- brown wisps had disappeared
under q mass of henna- .inteo mar.
There was a confident sparkle in her
big, full eyes. she carried her chin
we'll UP. and that famous smile Of
hers was working again.
rive almost broken my neck to do
it." says she. land I'm sure look
like . fright"
you. madamr' says I, why.
you're an absolute knockout!'
You dear girl" says she. patting
me on tho shoulder. But We shall
80 II Periey Holcomb thinks tho
same. Allons!''
The manager acted as though he
expected 70 60. too. and Bettina and
the doctor were lowering around. but
she shooed EN- all back. and of we
went together. She was in fne spir-
Its. exclaimins over every old house
that she recalled. the spire Of the Con-
gregational Church. and even the old
hay scales. BUT as the car stopped
in front Of Messer's and she saw the
veather-beAten wooden clock swung
out from one corner with P. Hol-
combs name barely legible on It she
nearly got leaky in the eyes
Poor old Perley!" says she. Think
Of him living all these years in this
moldering old town. fussing ..
with broken mainsprings and smashed
crystals. while lon. it's no :.
simply can't see him. should break
down and weep on his shoulder for
pity"
ANYWAY" says I. che doesn't seem
to be in his usual corner with his
magnifying glass screwed into one
eye. Maybe he's taking a day of or
u sick or something"
"of course" says madam. Most
likely he Is Ill. II could only find
some flowers to take to him-some
ong-stemmed American beauties or
some orchids"
mo use." says I. You couldn't get
anything like that in Chenwick. And
he may be all right. I'll run in and
ask"
And young Guy Messer gave me the
information. "Old Holcomb" says
he. mo. he ain't here today. He's to
home-third house UP on the left"
Eyes, I must CO." says madam. lat
least I can cheer him up with a kind
word, poor old thing"
The third house on the left We
found to be cozy. comfortable.
neatly painted colonial residence. with
. corkins old fanlight and brass
knocker and . well-kept front lawn.
But We were not the only callers that
afternoon. Three automobiles were
parked out front and As many more
were standing In the side driveway.
Madam sarroni gripped my arm.
II hope I'm not too late" says she.
TIT looks like Q funeral
''or . wedding" suggests. TIL
scout around"
back to the car and waved for her to
come along.
IT'S all right" says I. TITS q
party. and we're especially invited"
"A party?" says she. What kind?'
Birthday" says l. 'for 20 I'D
Perley. He's around on the side We
randa. Como along"
$500
Of course, I meant to spring It OF
~ her I suppose she was expecting
70 ind the old boy bolstersd up in .
wheel chair or something. But she
didn't. Not exactly. What she did
So. after I'd towsd her around the
corner OF the house, was this group
OF youngsters. all the way from SIX
to sixteen. romping around hand In
hand. 9th Psrley Eolcomb in the
oentsr Of the ring.
He was acting very little like an in
valid. In fact. he was prancing about
frisky. playing some sort Of game
with the young folks. True, he did
have on an oid-fashioned ,cutaway
and striped trousers and an out.of-
date collar. but his cheeks were as
pink 40 any girls. his blue eyes were
bright ana sparkly. and his curly
white hair was waving 1auntily - he
gsllopsd around.
For . moment or 10 he didn't see
ua Then he caught sight Of Madam
sarroni and stopped In his tracks.
staring. Next knew he was coming
straight toward her with both hands
out.
CLARA" says he. 1T 10 Clara, isn't
it-Clara WallaceT'
who else should It be. Perley Hol-
comb. you old scamp" says she.
welcome" says he But how
how do you happen to be here?'
why" says she. II came to help
celebrate your birthday. didn't