Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-12-23

because didn't--didn' Mr. laydon
come and see YOU the other day
All said Miss palhser Nov
we're getting there"
She leaned forward with her hands
on her knees, On the third finger Of
| her left hand there was a broad gold
| wedding ring SO much too tight that
| il threatened to disappear from view.
A passing wonder as to whose ring
il was made Evclyn's lips twitch. She
had dreadful feeling that nj any
moment she might begin to laugh,
MIR. Laydon did come to see YOU.
didn't he
Miss Palliscr opened her mouth To
speak. hut shut ii again. stared hard
at Evelyn. and inquired:
What d'you want me to say
| Evelyn did laugh at that; il was so
! unexpected, After a moment Miss
| Palliscr laughed, too.
well. YOU know what | mean. dear.
It's all pretty queer, isn't it, ! don't
know when got such a turn in my
life; give YOU my word. | don't--and
| was in most Of the air raids, too,
Talk about bombs dropping Id
rather have bomb than II ghost any
day of the week. You don't catch me
going to any of these mediums and
people--not me. Leave well alone $
my motto"
Evelyn touched the overplump hand
with the wedding ring.
do you mean that YOU recognized
him. Her voice was low, but very
insistent.
Well" said Pearl Palliser, "that'd
be telling wouldn't it,
Yes But | want you to tell me.
"Well. it'd he easier if l knew what
YOU wanted me to say. Now that
chap came hothering me yesterday
regular little Nosey Parkcr--he was
keen as mustard for me to say that
the first minute l laid eyes on him |
knew him for Jim Field. which would
have been a good old lie--and so |
told him. i don't care il you're Mr..
Cottrell Abbott hundred times over
that's what l said to him--'if YOU
want me TO tell lies to oblige YOU,
yol've got to show m, the reason
why Not a friend of yours. l hope.
dear?"
Evelyn bit her lip. nut it was no
use. She laughed again. The vision
of Cotty being asked to show good
reason why Pearl should tell lies for
him was too much for her.
Well. I'm glad if he isn't"
Miss Palliser crossed her legs and
leaned comfortably back in her chair.
A length of silk stocking of bright
nude shade sprang into view. Several
holes in the stocking disclosed the
much tighter color of Miss Palliser's
leg.
shocked She drew her brows to-
gether, pulled in her cheeks, and MINI
,ol- fx-+c CT ~
really. Miss-er-Palliser, ] merely
inquired if you-er--recogniZed this
er-person.'" 1t was very well done.
THAT is what wanted to ask-did
you recognize him."
The dark eyes considered her. There
was a pause.
"Oh. well. perhaps l did recognize
this man." said Miss Palliser easily.
Then. as Evelyn's color rose and Eve
lyn's lips parted. she laughed and
added. Perhaps I didn't"
oh" said Evelyn. 1t was rather
a piteous little gasp.
"You see" said Miss Palliser.
there's a good deal mixed up with
ii that you don't know. And that's
where my difficulty comes in. I'm
sure I'm quite willing 10 oblirc, and as
/ said to Nosey Parker--I'm glad he's
not a friend of yours, dear, for /
don't know when took such a dislike
to any one right at the very go.off-
well. as / said TO Nosey, I'm not at all
sure ii wouldn't suit me best 10 have
him. Jim Field-my own private
reasons, you know. dear. Come 10
think OF it. IL would suit me better.
because there's a gentleman that's "A
great friend OF mine. and in a very
good way OF business. and nothing
he'd like better than for me 10 say
Yes and we'd be married in church
and all, and a proper wedding-cake
and a reception. I'm through with
registry Offices. They've got bit
common. don't you think. dear?"
Evelyn CROPPED for a connecting
thread.
Pearl Paliiscr had married Jim
Field in December. 1914 Why would