Evening star., 1927-09-18

"I don't know. I'm probably a
sentimentalist or somethng." His
mouth curled bitterly. II tell you
I've got to go, Kathyr"
you can't go"'
I'm sorry" The finality in his
voice chilled her. I'm sorry" he
repeated. and walked away.
Still she didn't believe it. IT
couldn't be true. He couldn't be
going! And he was gone.
She had never expected to confide
in any one, least of all in Aunt Min.
Aunt Min, with her spinster's eyes,
was old and unlovely. But this
month had done things to Kathy;
the loneliness of it had battered down
her resistance against life. Alone, al
wayS-but loneliness was a different
sort of thing.
She had made herself vulnerable
to this on the day when she con-
ceded Neal Hunters reality. She had
admitted then that she was not alone
in her world; Neal, too, stood there
beside her. And, when he was gone,
it was as though a whole planet were
depopulated!
Foxport had lost all the charm he
had given it, but she remained there,
because his going had taken from all
existence that charm she had once
felt. Foxport or New York .
it didn't matter now.
Late June, and there had come no
word from him.
She avoided being alone. with a
sort Of desperation tagging Aunt Min
about the house.
You haven't-heard from Neal,
have you?" She asked, in a voice
that was meant to be careless.
Land sakes, nor Aunt Min was
hulling Strawberries, and she peered
at her niece over the rim of a bowl.
What would he write to me for?"
Kathy, seated across the table,
looked down at her hands. 81 don't
know" She was silent, and then,
"Oh, Aunt Min, I can't bear itr' she
cried.
The older woman set down the bowl
and wiped her hands on her apron.
II know, dearie," she said, and Kathy,
looking up quickly. saw that some
how, in some extraordinary fashion,
she did know.
"Oh, Aunt Minniew Her shoulders
shook. and her face burrowed against
the gingham apron.
There, dearie. you just cry! Don't
try to talk!'
But Kathy suddenly wanted to talk,
wanted to talk to Aunt Min! Words
came in a rush.
He thinks I'm just hard and mean
and awful! And was! Always, Aunt
Min! Not just to Di Pierce! To every
one! To you and pa-and oh, Aunt
Min, to my mother! She died thinking
l was heartless daughter.'
"Stuffr' said Aunt Min. "Stuff,
Kathy! She died thinking nothing of
the sort!''
II was SO mean to her! I hated
home and
'All little girls are mean," said Aunt
Min. Your mother knew that as we'll
as the next one. But she knew you,
too. Kathy. You were her baby"
All little girls are mean! Kathy
thought of Di Pierce. Di had been a
mean little girl, too--but Di had out.
grown it. She had tried to be friendly,
sympathetic. And she, Kathy, who
was no longer little girl, had con.
tinued in her meanness!
"Thisll do you goodp' said Aunt
Min. You go to your rooms and lie
down. I've got to go to the village.
I'll be back soon."
Like a child, Kathy mounted the
stairs. Through her window she saw
the meadows, lush and green with the
full beauty of Summer, and beyond
them, the sea. Was Neal Hunter
across that blue stretch
seeing people and places with kind
eyes? She dropped down on her bed
and slept, exhausted by her tears.
Il X X X
"K ATHY"
She stirred, looked UP sleepily
II brought Diana Pierce back with
me-"
She sat up and blinked at them.
Hello, Kathy!' Diana sat down on
the end Of the bed and smiled. 81
thought you'd gone away-you prom
lsed to come and see me. Your aunt
says you've been working like Tro-
JAM
Kathy looked at her. There's a |
lotto do" she faltered.
Don't know it! Mothers putting
up jam, and I've been helping her. |
I've hulled berries, until-lookr' She |
extended a slim, stained hand.
Look at Miner said Kathy.
They smiled, like the children they /
had once been. Children-once. Look |
ng at Diana, Kathy saw faint shad- |
ows about the clear blue eyes, a new |
Troop to the young mouth.
why don't you come over for sup
per tonight? I've got some friends |
iown over the week end, and we might !
lance or something"
Again Di Pierce was Offering her
and now Kathy reached
tut, gratefully.
''I'd love to-"
Gordon Carey was sitting in the
ham..iock beside a little
,lond girl. He rose and came toward
hem.
II thought you'd evaporated into
hin air, Katherine Snow! You've been
Il, haven't you? Your aunt"
I'm fine, now," said Kathy, giving
lin her hand and looking past him
t the prettiness of his companion.
'This Is Fay Observation-Disclosures
'now." II
There were 10 of them at dinner.
he watched Diana and Gordon Carey.
ii was in love with him-and she ,
wasn't happy! When, later In the eve- !
ing. Gordon turned on the phono- ,
raph and swung Kathy to the floor.
he chartered with him lightly-and, .
Yhen they finished their dance, she q
ed him back to Diana. !
Dance, DIP" He smiled at his host :
ss, and her blue eyes rested affection. ;
tely on his face. Kathy's heart was i
I'd with sympathy and understanding.