The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1924-10-17
CHAPTER VII

<<MMAY come in, sylvan ques-
eeIVE tionde Joan as she returned to
the studio building where she
lived. surrounded by various friends and
acouaintances and stopped for a minute
on the threshold of Sylvias apartment.
"Of course, you may. What luck?
Got your fortune YETI" asked Sylvia
eagerly.
"No, I'm never going to get that,
but I've got job" answered Joan,
light-heartedly.
'Where- what is it?" queried Sylvia,
all excitment.
Upstate" replied Joan. ."It's not
exactly in my line, still I'm going to
give it try-out. Can you picture me
looking after little boy and directing
Householder
That's better than going out by the
day, although I guess that means we
won't see you for some time" said
Sylvia.
"In probably be away for the rest
of the season, but / don't want to say
anything about it until I find out if l
like it. The nature of my occupation
might not be strictly pleasing to some
of my friends, so don't breathe word
to any one" begged Joan.
But JOAN" demonstrated Sylvia,
you know you don't really have to go
into seclusion. I'd only be too glad to
have you come and stay with me till
that wonderful story is accepted. Won't
you change your mind and stay with me
for bit? You know I'm in clover just
now, as I've several posters to do, and
you're perfectly welcome to share what
ever's mine till your ship comes in"
'sThat's awfully kind of you," an
swered Joan, "but I'm going away the
day after tomorrow. promised l
would and 1 want to, try and make
good"
"Oh, / know what troubling you.
It's that petty clause&in your uncle's
will. Can't your lawyer find some way
of interpreting it SO Dat you can get
the money" asked Sylvia.
"No, and / want tosforget all about
that" answered JOAN by the way
what's Meg Farley's number? / must
call her up and see If she wants my
studio" ...=.5t
.'Oh, know she does. She was in
here this morning and asked if you had
decided definitely, SO know she'll be
only too glad of the chance. Here it
is" she said, as she wrote the number
on slip of paper.
well, l must go as I've an awful
lot to attend to before l leave. an
nounccd Joan as she walked briskly
to the door.
rs there anything can do to help
you?" questioned Sylvia, who had
chummed with Joan ever since they
had studied art. together.
mo, ] don't believe SO, at this min
ME III 7 nand VIM I'll LOT U0n EunVu
How's that" asked Joan.
Fine" answered Sylvia. "How
about dining with me this EVENING"" =
I'D like that very much, for 1 won't
have another chance to, talk to you for
some time and Joan smiled quizzi-
cally.
"An right, I'll calf for you about
half-past six" said Sylvia as Joan re-
turned to her studio.
When joan crossed its threshold she
suddenly realized the momentous step
that she was taking. Hitherto she had
been law unto herself, but from now
on, at least the day after tomorrow,
she would have to consult the wishes of
Rupert Ransome. That they would CO.
incide with hers she felt pretty certain,
for she had sensed in him a kindred
spirit, but there was Rosanna. While
she might be devoted to her master and
his small son, she wondered what. sort
of reception she would accord her
She knew that servants who had been
in authority for long time frequently
resented the coming Of any one to di-
rect them.
Then there was the little boy. True,
he was only five or whereabouts, but
Joan shrugged her shoulders inpatient
ly. Surely she would be able to man.
age him. Anyway the die was cast.