Evening star., 1925-07-26

had nature been permitted
to reign sturbed-Theodore Nor
ton, End returned to Elton Heights.
Returned as was his wont, somewhat
in need of a shave, attired in monde
script khaki and showing the marks
of the many miles he had traversed
since his last appearance there. And
though the soft shades OF night
might cast a kindly mantle over his
disreputable appearance, even they
could not conceal his shame.
This was because he had none.
Elton Heights might blush for him,
but Theodore Norton. End, free, white
and old enough to know better, con-
tinued to walk in the error of his
ways.
Even the comments of Kay Elton,
the most charming of his feminine
contemporaries, never ruffied his COM
posure
rs it necessary" Kay had asked,
"for you to go around looking like a
tramp?"
what would you suggest as cor
rect attire fo: one of my deplorable
VOCATION" Ted had demanded
equally. "a tux"
Don't be silly!" she had retorted.
There is such a thing as a happy
medium. You might at least wear 4
white collar
"I thank YOU" he had replied.
both for your interest and for your
advice. But I protest that l do not
call a white collar a happy medium.
1t rasps my neckI" To which he had
added: Besides, there are too many
white collars in Elton Heights al
ready"
Which may have been true, but
which was treason none the less.
Elton Heights had been founded
by Kay's ancestors. Her immediate
ancestors, in fact, for her mother and
father had settled there in 1901, the
year in which she was born. They
bought an old farmhouse which they
promptly dubbed Elton Manor. They
were young then and full of optimism
which must have proved contagious.
Anyway, other young married cou-
pies ended by emigrating there, too.
The original settlers had numbered
eight young married couples. Other
houses were built later. as the city be-
gan to encroach, but they were never
of the original group officially. That
was because Of the plan-eight houses
built in a rectangle with, in place of
eight back yards, one common play
ground, two croquet lawns, and later
q tennis court.
The latter was never of champion
ship caliber. but famous battles were
fought there.
Life was before them all-in 1901.
Their ships were sure to come in. At
25 who could not stand measure OF
privation with the knowledge that,
come 40, luxury was certain?
So they had felt. The Eltons. the
Nortons. the Witherbees and the
Emersons. A typically American COM
nunity. Which means its menfolks
nourished American ideals in their
hearts-wore typical American white
collars around their necks. They were
of a caste which must be preserved at
any cost.
They had preserved it. But In 1924
life had chastened them. Their hopes
and their ambitions were in their
children now.
They all had typically American
families. One child, mostly. The FL
tons, for instance. glimpsed their fu-
ture in Kay. The Nortons had seen
theirs in Ted.
But-Ted.
AS the descendant of one Of the
eight original white-collared settlers
Of the heights, he should have had
both its interests and it's traditions at
heart. But he never had had. He
proved that yet again this May night
by halting abruptly under a budding
maple, the better to view what the
heights considered the crowning mis-
fortune of it's history.
"The Six Musical McSweeneys. he
murmured with a grin. "are certainly
living up to their name"
THEY who called themselves THE
Six Musical McSweeneys," and
proved tor perhaps disproved it-by
playing everything from saxophone
and trumpets to snare drums and
sleigh bells, were recent arrivals at
the Heights. They had moved into
what was still known as the Wither-
bee house.
The Witherbee house now broad
cast jazz until even the soft, shy stars
of Spring seemed to shudder and with
draw.
The residents Of the Heights could
not withdraw. They simply shud-
dered.
shuddered-that is. with one excep-
ton.
Glass" approved Ted, "class-and
brains!'
From the Witherbee house his eyes
turned toward Elton Manor, which
had the supreme misfortune to ad-
join it. A light shone in the kitchen.
From that Ted deduced that Kay
Elton, having said good night to her
latest" had descended from the high
attitudes Of romance and was forag-
ing the family ice chest, He decided
to join her.
Kay was discovered as he had Wis
ualized her.
who's that?" she demanded, rails
ing a startled face as he entered.
ITS me Theodore, gift of the
gods" he announced n1odestly.
who asked you to come, any
way?"
Nobody" he admitted. But I'm
one of those joyous souls who find
welcome anywhere. Don't let me dis
turb you. And don't make any spe-
cial preparations on my account. Just
select something good and hearty and
hand it over
DO you ever think of anything ex-
cept your stomach?"
"Oh, absolutely! Even now my soul
is uplifted by the melody next door. "
He paused and extemporized:
TRsBss %GsS II. RgsiS iStant an the %orn[..rh air
Il rips great holes In the sky.
Speaking of infants" he added, "I
understand that the youngest Nc
Sweeney-that s-year-old artist with
the incredible legs-is going to start
to learn that steam calliope next week.
They're having one shipped out to
her"
II suppose you think you're funnyr'
she commented
MY Jokes" he acknowledged
have been laughed at by people to
whom l owe money. I know of no
better tribute. But speaking of Jokes