Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-02-02
CHAPTER XVII.

Inside the shack Mrs. Morse was
waiting for Jessica, but the girl ig-
nored her. Mark had told Mrs. Morse
something Of his plan, however. and
her attitude was admirable. Without
showing that she noticed Jessicas
small bedrooms.
1t was slightly larger than the
others, and Mrs Morse had made some
attempt to beautify it.
In New Paltz that day when she
and Mark had shopped she had seen
some green carleton, cheap stuff, but
effective She had bought several
yards and had fashioned 1t into cur
tains. Shirred very full, the effect
was charming. And the plain little
bed looked very white and clean.
Jessica was in a villainOus temper,
however She almost slammed the
door in Mrs Morse's face, and once
she had attained privacy she burst
once more into tears.
At home, in her own luxurious bed
room, she would be dressing. And
then later there would be Ray. always
so considerable and so admiring. His
manner toward her was perfect. He
never stopped over; he always appre
ciated every mood of hers. The other
girls were jealous, and why shouldn't
they be? Ray was adorable. He al
ways did the right thing at the right
time And now this apparently impos-
sible thing had happened and they
we're actually separated.
She had been planning to wear her
silver dress, and as this thought
flashed across her mind Jessica was
startled.
She had no clothes excepting the
things she had on. She; who was al
ways so fastidious, who removed a
garment when it looked crumpled,
even II she had worn it only an hour
or so.
She thought of the small white bath
room adjoining her room; its simple
conveniences seemed like the most ex-
travagant luxuries to her now. There
wasn't even the most awful makeshfft
bathroom in this horrible place. She
would probably have to do her bath
ing in that miserable little stream her
guardian was so crazy about. But
what about clothes? They were what
bothered her most.
Swiftly she went to the simple,
built-in wardrobe and swung the door
wide. Then she gasped.
Several pairs of khaki breeches were
warm, woolly cape of brushed wool
and a scarlet blazer of flannel. On the
shelf was a black velvet tam-o' -shanter
and on the floor two pairs of plain
tan oxfords.
She rushed over to the chest of
drawers and pulled one out. Piles of
neat white underwear met her eyes,
and shirts-about half a dozen white
ones and two of khaki. That was all!
She, who had been accustomed to pull
ing out drawer of her chiffonier and
gloa ting over piles of fragrant crepe
de chine and georgette crepe, was now
condemned to wearing muslin. Oh,
how she hated Mark Burton, How
she hated him!
knock sounded on the door and
she decided not to answer it. She
slumped into a chair and sat motion
less. Outside it was growing dark
and the wind made a hollow sound in
the pine trees. The outlines of the
furniture in the room were already
growing gray and indefinite. and when
the knock on the door was repeated
and Mrs. Morse's voice called out
eheerily, It's just me, Miss Bartlett.
/ thought you might want light to
make 1t more cheerful" Jessica
walked across the room and, opening
the door, took the lamp from the older
womans hand.
She didn't thank her for it, however
This woman. whoever she was, had
helped Mark with this plan of his.
She knew all, about everything. Oh