The Indianapolis times., 1926-10-28
Saint and Simmer
Po1 ANME AIISTIN
B1 ANNE AUSTIN

To Faith, the quiet of that Satur-
day evening seemed like the lull
between storms. but her tired nerves
were grateful for it. Joy sat close
beside her at the cleared table, her
metic. Across the table. Mr.. Lane
sat tilted back in the wicker chair
dragged in frs the living room, his
tired, shoeless feet crossed upon
dining chair, his evening paper fold
ed at the editorial page. which he
scanned with tired eyes that looked
wise behind their spectacles.
Il just can't get this old prob
lem," Joy tapped angrily with her
pencil upon her tablet. THE answer
in the back of the book must be
wrong I've worked 1t three times.
and it just won't come out right"
Let me see it," Faith smiled into
the angry, Knotied UP little face. the
tide of affection flowing out upon
the child for whom no one ever
seemed to have much time. She
took Joys pencil and ran with
expert swiftness down the columns
of figures. "Oh, here's your mis-
take. What is seven times nine?"
"Fifty-sixr' Joy answered prompt
ly.
When the problem had been cor
rected. and five minutes of that
precious peace between storms had
been expended in drilling JOY in the
seven times table, Faith relaxed
over her sewing again. She was
making shorter and smaller a lovely
white crepe de chine costume slip.
trimmed at the camisole top with
real lace. which Cherry had bought
for her trousseau, charging It to Mr..
Cluny.
For Cherry. Always something
for Cherry. But there was no bitter
ness in the thought now. That
warm tide of affection rose righer
in her throat at the very thought of
Cherry. OF course she had given
up her date with Bob so that Cherry
might have her one last fling.
Not that Bob looked as II he
would collaborate in making it
real fling" for he had been almost
sullen. his blue eyes hard and angry
when Faith had told him that his
mother, tired out from her afternoon
of curiosity-ridden, malicious callers,
needed her. And not even the sight
Of Cherry, incredibly beautiful in a
new gold-colored chiffon, trimmed
with metal lace, that exactly
matched th8 gold strands among the
copper OF her curls. and the gold of
her eyes, had wiped the frown from
his handsome, lean, brown face.
Mighty foolish, of you to let
Cherry run off with Bob Hathaway
this evening"" Jim Lane lowered his
paper and glanced at his daughter
over the top of his glasses, as If he
had picked up her thought waves
like a human radio receiving station.
IL wouldn't trust her with a man as
far as 1 could throw a bull by the
tail"
Faith caught her breath sharply,
but she smiled on him with misty
eyed fondness. "I care more about
Cherry than about anything else
Dad II she can get him, it would
solve a big problem for us. wouldn't
it? Bob used toto be in love with
Cherry. I'm hoping" she stopped.
reminded Of joys presence by the
power of the child's wide.
curious eyes upon her.
"Dop't make fool Of yourself.
Jim Lane said gruffiy. ut
don't pay to go around playing God
your Ma wants anything"
Faith. why didn't you let Chester
Hart come over. like Cherry wanted
you tor" Joy closed her arithmetic
with a bang. "He always brings a
box Of candy"
Because l don't like Chester Hart
very much, honey" Faith smiled.
but for heavens sake, don't tell all
Myrtle st. and the kids at your
school that I said so. I know you
don't mean any harm, honey, but 1t
can cause a lot Of trouble that you
don't understand
'All right" JOY yawned indiffer-
emily. I don't have to go to bed at
9 tonight, do I? Tomorrow's Sun
day."
Eyes, you do" Faith was firm.
"And it's five minutes after nine
now. Take a bath and put on those