Evening star., 1926-10-28

UDITH WELD entered the room
where her mother was sitting
d, and dropped rather wearfly into
~ Il chair. She had taken off her
coat and hat in the hall ana
now appeared In her best frock. a
simple dark blue silk, with scarlet
embroidery.
"WeH, what kind Of time did you
have?" Mrs. Weld asked. She was
small, anxiouS-faced woman, and as
she sat darning on old napkins she
wore spectacles over her tired eyes.
Fine time" Judith answered
readily enough. 1T was pretty as
could be. Vera certainly knows how
TO do things" -, :,
''She has everything to do with, "
said Mrs. Weld. She sighed. shall
always think Harold Dane made
great mistake in not taking YOU
Judy"
Judith laughed uncOmf0rtably.
He didn't want me--and ] don I
want anybody who doesn't want me,
she returned. Anybody been here
since I've been frolicking at Vera
luncheon? Heard any news!
1--WE taken boarder while you We
been gone" said Mrs. Weld:
"A boarder" cried Judith. ou
didn't need to, mother. We are get.
at will help out" Mrs. Weld said
nrmIy. land he seems u nice man. He
ann1ied at Mrs. Ashes, but she
Couldn't take him, and she sent him
here. He didn't state what his Dusl-
ness was and. Of course, | didn't ask
him any questions"
Judith arose.
"KyelI. will change my dress ana
make some biscuits for supper, she
said.
In her own threadbare little room
she stood a few moments gazlnS out
over the snowy back yard. her nps
nrassed together, a scowl drawing her
dark broWs together. Judith had fine
ewes of Scotch gray and dark crlnkly
hair She was a strong, sensible,
wholesome Young woman Of 32, a com
uetent grade teacher with a way with
Youngsters. and Versed in mousse
wifery. An allround girl was judith
and vet no man had claimed her.
Harold Dane had shown her some at
tention, but he had chosen to marry
Vera Ames. Dick Davidge had walked
and talked with her for six years and
then had married Ruby Ashe. Charhe
Law, too, had called her good pal,
hut he had given his diamond ring to
Louise AlversOn. For any one OF these
Judith would have made an incompar-
able wife. better than the one he had
selected but he would have none OF
her.
Il wish mother wouldn't always be
reminding me that Harold married
Vera instead Of me-" she thought. Il
can't help it if he did. And I don't
know that ! care. Money isn't every
thing. 7 couldn't stand that green
light in his eyes. II Vera can, shes
welcome"
Still she hated to have spinsterhood
forced upon her. The luncheon today
had been a "cat-Out- of the-bag" affair
for the latest fiancee. Judith had
laughed as much as the rest, but there
was this difference: the other unmar-
ried girls were still hopeful: for her
self, she knew that her last chance
had vanished In Tebert Beardsley.
she turned from the window, slip
ped on a red-checked gingham and
went down to stir up her biscuits. She
could make good biscuits and her
mother could not. While she was az
her work she heard the boarder come
in and go upstairs. but she didn't meet
him until supper time.
He was q stockily built young man.
slightly bald, with fine dark eyes, an
attractive smile, and a quiet, reserved.
dignified way. His name was Edward
Morrow and he seemed trifie faStid-
tous. But he seemed TO get on with
Uncle LOvejoy wonderfully. Uncle
Lovejoy was Mrs. Yields brother. who
made his home with them.
One night at the supper table Uncle
Lovejoy remarked that a new plant
was coming to the place-the w. r. s.
plant, "a big concern employing a hun
dred people.
Fine thing for the town. he com.
mented. 1T will give lots of folks
who haven't anything to do q chance
10 earn something. I'd like job my
self I'm sick OF hanging round with
idle hands. but all | ever could do was
bookkeep. and the young folks just
ouI OF business school get all the jobs
Of that sort nowadays
Mr.. Morrow looked attentively AZ
the old man, but he said nothing.
Two days later the whole story
came out. Judith heard it from her
mother the moment she entered the
house, her hands full of test papers.
THAT plant is coming. They're
going to put up a big building. Mean
while they've rented the old piano
factory. And Mr.. Morrow's at the
head of it. He's the boss, our boarder
IS. Judy, did you ever hear anything
like it,"
Judith laughed.
Well, I suppose you are pleased.
mother. but if he is as big man as
thar, YOU won't be able to keep him.
He will be moving to the New Cen
trail"