Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1924-11-08


is-shall i be perfectly frank with
you?"
1 nodded dumbly.
well. he is a very sick man." and
noticing my puzzled look, he hurried
to explain. "At first he wouldn't let
us tell you because he didn't want
you to fret about him while you
were having good time. But now
he wants you and calls constantly
for his litAe grill"
Like a flash the thing he had
Just told me was pichuring itself on
my brain. Father lying there-IIl
-. needing me and wanting me, for
= knew the depth Of his love, and yet
torn between his fine, unsehsh spirit
and his human longing for me at
his side.
Lets leave NOW. On the hrst
train" leaped to my feet. He
glanced at his wadch in the semi
Ysoom.
"There is a train in one hour and
a half. We can make 1t. Ion
hurry; you have enough time Iha1
is. unless-I hadn'd thought OF H.
bnt''-he stammered-'perhaps you
had rather go alone. "
mo, no." I was quick to reply,
please don't leave me. couidn I
hear being alone" My voice quaV-
cred Tell me that l can count Oh
YOU I begged. ;, 10
lyon most assuredly can" he
ouowod "Jt wa. Just that I did not
wana to intrude.
Shipping around through SIDE
door. I went unnoticed to my room
and sent a maid for Ellie to wnom
explained. In she meantime
threw few necessary things IN my
bag. ,,.o &,
"Cheer up. if you can, Sallte''
suggested my hostess. Your come
through with flying colors. You al
ways do. You were born like uhat
You are one Of those few chosen
ones on whom the Great Sculptor
has smiled"
That was like Ellie. She was
butterfly, but her heart was as DIG
as the great out-ofdoors. :,
And remember, Spor1,' she ada
ed. were all behind you. The en-
tire gang"
inst at that moment the notes o
"Chop Sticks" rendered by two o
NV exuberant friends, was waited II
shrough the doorway in wave o
blatant sound. Some others, seeking
self. expression had conceived thu
idea of turning on the VlcTola
the same time and had probabl.
chosen the first record at hand. "Ye
we have no beena-nas" We'd will
the dam -dum-dumrdum" Of tn
piano crowd.
NV nerves were on edge.
ellie" I exclaimed, tell then
for goodness sake to be quiet or II
scream!"
She sped swiftly down the hal
and I could hear her calling at chi
top of the stair:
Turn off the Jazz down there
Sallie's just had a message from he
dad. He's i'll. Dye hear?"
Jaw, wassa matter with the oil
MANI" harsh voice replied. Try
ing to ruin Sallie's good time. Tel
her not to worry. I'll mix her
.uvly highball if she'll come o.
down" A door closed.
could hear one of the girls try
ing to stop him, but il was too late
1 threw myself on the bed, tear
streaming down my face. Es1e, II
turning. saw that l had heard IN
fiasco on the stairs.
I'm sorry, Salfie," she comfor
ed, cts just that they don't under
sand"
"And don't want to-" l flung a
her. "Fairweather friends-thaT
what they are. 1t didn't make an
difference 10 them if my Dad wa
they want is a good sport to anus
them and then when fellow get
in trouble they aren't willing to leav
their playtime. l tell you Ellie 1t
a rotten shame and l am prett
much disguised with them all"
New. now, Sallie. don't take
so seriously She patted my shou
der. They didn't think yor
father was really i'll. Maybe if yo
had been in their place you woul
have done the same thing. 81
rallied to their defense. "Remer
ber," she went on. "the time whe
Bob Wilson was killed in his car, G
your house party at Atlantic Beac
When they brought the news bac
to the cottage, nobody believed it
Remembering, covered my face
with my hand.
81 can see you now" she. contiI
ued, "and the picture is vivid
Clear. Remember. Sallie what "
said with that funny little twink
in your eye. Bob oughter cham
his brandt" she whispered.