Evening star., 1923-05-31
A Broken Teacup.

"Ill tell her you're here, but I'm
noways sure she'll see YOU"
Mrs. Adams stood, her hand on the
doorknob. as she looked doubtfully at
Emily Bates and her nephew.
why not?" asked Mrs Bates. in
establishment, and Pinky echoed,
why not, Mrs. Adams"
she's queer" Mrs Adams came
back into the room. closed the door,
and spoke softly. That's what she
is. Mrs. Bates, queer. l can't make
her out She's been here more'n
week now. and l do say she gets
queerer every day. Won't make
friends with anybody-won't speak
At all al the table-never comes and
sits with us Of an afternoon or eve
ning-just keeps TO herself. Now:
that amt natural for young girl
How old is she?''
Nobody knows. She looks like
nineteen or twenty, but she has
ways of woman of forty-as far
having her own way is concerned
Then again, she'll pet the cat smile
up at Mr. Adams like child. / can't
make her out at all: The boarders
are all fearfully- curious-that's one
reason ! take her part They're
snoopy lot, and l make them let her
alone"
You like her, then!
You can't help liking her-yet she
is eXasperating. You ask her a ques-
tion, and she stares at you and walks
off. Not really rude-but just as if
you weren't there. Well, I'll tell her
you're here. anyway"
1t was only by his extraordinary
powers of persuasion that Pinky
Payne had won his aunt's consent to
make this call, and. being Sunday
afternoon, the recognized athome
day in Corinth. they had gone to the
Adams house unannounced, and asked
for Miss Austin.
Upstairs. Mrs. Adams tapped at the
girls door.
It was opened slowly-it would
seem, grudgingly--and Anita looked
out inquiringly.
Callers for you. Miss Austin" the
landlady said cheerily.
For me? ! know no one.
"Oh, now, you come on down it's
Mrs. Bates. and her nephew. Plnky,
Payne. They're our best people"
What makes you think L want 10
see your best people?"
II don't say you do, but they want
to see you-and-oh. pshaw. now. be
little sociable. It won't nurt & you
have no desire to form new acquain-
tances, and l beg to be excused from
But do you know who she is? She's
the lady that's going to marry Dr.
Warinc the new president. And
Pinckney Payne. her cousin. is
mighty nice boy
.s-s. Adams thought she detected an
expression of wavering on the girls
face, aud she followed up her ad-
vantage.
YES. he's an awfully nice chap and
just about your age. should judge.
"TlI go down. said Miss Austin.
briefly and Mrs, Adams INDUCED in
q sly smile of satisfaction:
Pipkv that fetched her, she
thought to herself. Young folks are
young folks the world over"
Triumphantly, Mrs. Adams ushered
Anita into the small parlor.
"a.rs Bates" she said, "and Mr..
Payne-Miss Austin
Then she left them, for Esther Ad-
ans had strict notions of her duties
as boarding house landlady
her and taking her hand.
Yes, Miss Austin-I am very glad
to know you,
But the words ceased suddenly as
Emily Bates looked into the girls
eyes. Such a depth of sorrow was
there, such unmistakable tragedy and
a hint of fear. What could it all
mean? Surely this was strange girl.
we have never met before, have
we?" Mrs Bates said. almost invol-
unfairly. for the girls gaze was too
intent to be given to a stranger.
NO" Anita said. recovering her
poise steadily but slowly, mot that l
remember"
I'VE have" burst forth the ire
pressible Pinky II say. Miss Austin.
please realize that I'm here as we'll as
my more celebrated aunt! Don't you
remember the morning | met you on
the bridge-and you were just about
TO throw yourself over the parapet?"
"Oh, no. | wasn't" And a delightful
smile lighted the dark little face. The
lips We're very scarlet. but it was un-
mistakably Natures own red, and as
they parted over even and pearly
teeth the smile transformed Miss Aus
tin into a real beauty.
1t disappeared quickly, however
and Pinky Payne thenceforward made
it his earnest endeavor to bring it
back as often as possible.
of course you weren't" agreed
Mrs, Bates. Don't pay any attention
to that foolish boy"
I'm a very nice boy. if / am fool
fsh,"" Pinky declared, but Miss Austin
vaguely ignored him and kept her
intent gaze fixed on Emily Bates.
I'VE thought perhaps you would go
with us over to DIR. Warnings for tea"
Mrs. Bates said, after an interval of
aimless chat. 1T would. 1 am sure,
be a pleasant experience for you.
wouldn't you like it?"
"Dr. Waring's?" repeated Anita, her
voice low and tense, as IL the idea
was of more Importance than it
seemed.
Yes: ] may take you, for doctor
is my fiance-we are to be married
next month"
mo-" cried the girl with such
sharp intonation that Mrs. Bates was
startled
Sure they are" put in Pinky. anx-
ious to cover up any. eccentricity on
the part of their girl in whom he
took an increasing interest. They're
rs blissful as two young turtle doves
come on, Miss Austin, let's go over
~Sx&@<A