Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-07-29
CHAPTER XVII.
VINEYARD Haven.

Helen Sheridan invited Nan up tt
Vineyard Haven for two weeks. Mar
hesitated at first. She hadn't much ir
the way of clothes. But the thought
Of the sea drove her almost crazy
And perhaps Helen really wanted her
And so she accepted the invitation
and Tom saw her off on the night
boat. 1t was long trip. All night
on the boat to Fall River, then train
and another boat.
After Tom had left her she lay ir
her berth and thought about life. She
was going to have a baby. 1t thrilled
her and yet 1t terrified her. But she
mustn't think about it. Tom had
urged her not to think about any
thing. There was a cool breeze blow
ing through the portfolio, too. It gave
her q feeling of relaxation.
Helen met her the next morning al
Vineyard Haven in the car, but now
Nan was tired-Atired and Disguised
with herself for being tired. She had
wanted to arrive fresh and glowing
but the train trip was not inspiring
and inasmuch as she had only han(
luggage and there were no porters
she had to carry her bags.
sports things! And how gorgeous tt
be able to relinquish her bags to the
chauffeur who began to climb a cliff
over the sea the minute she was en-
sconced in the car.
Then they were stopping before q
fairly large gray cottage. Helen, who
had been shocked at Mans appear
ance, made her go to her room at once
1t was big square room with two
windows facing the sea. A fresh
breeze was billowing the curtains ir
and out. 1t looked a wonderful place
to rest.
I'll send Louise to unpack your
bags" Helen said peremptorily. "AnC
I want you to go directly to bed, sc
that you will be fresh for tonight. A
friend Of your is here-Martin Lee
and another nice girl, and another
nice man. We've just a small party
In a thin kimono, stretched out or
the bed with the sea breeze blowing
over her, Nan began to relax. How
wonderful life was, after all! Here
she was, married to Tom, the man she
wanted more than any one else, ant
now she was going to have his baby
Up here in Massachusetts she would
store up lot Of strength. 1t had beer
sweet or Helen 10 ask her.
She was almost asleep when she
heard the door open. A slim maid ir
black with a ruff1ed cap and apron was
entering. Through half-closed eyelids
Nan watched her unpack the two bags
she had brought. Expertly she put
lingerie into the bureau drawers ant
hung up dresses. Her movements
didn't disturb Nan, they soothed her
When she stole out as silently al
she had entered, Nan was asleep.
Surprisingly, she slept all afternoon
When she awoke she was amazed a,
the time. She felt really marvellous
better than she had in days. Her heart
smote her when she thought Of Ton
condemned TO these days Of heat ir
the city. But then she must be strong
enough to meet the test.
She turned on her back and looked
up at the ceiling. Helen had said that
Martin Lee was here. Why did that
,, make her think of her clothes and tn
lack of them?
Somehow she wanted Martin Lees
cool eyes to look at her when she was
quite perfectly dressed. And that was
impossible. For instance, what could
she wear tonight?
She had one nice evening dress.
Between the time of her illness ant
Helen's invitation, she had refurbishet
one Of her own.
Mary Dean had given it to her ant
| it was a Paris model. 1t was too tigh
| for Mary, who was growing plumpel
and plumer, but for Nan it was ex
actly right.
She had ripped the taffeta trimming
off the skirt, and substituted ostrich
so that the dress was really quite
lovely.
| The shade was Nile green and thu
ostrich trimming was in two tones o
green, Nile and jade.
She would wear that tonight-ant
she did hope her silver slippers weren'
too shabby.
Helen had told her that the bath
room was at the end of the corridor
She would have a lovely hot bath
and then get dressed very slowly
What fun to see Martin Lee again!
| Why, she was actually feeling bet
ter! She really was
She threw off the the comfortable
gathered up her towels and went t.
the bathroom. She lay for 20 minute!
in steaming hot water.
When she returned to her room, SHE
smoothed powder over her small face
first. and then touched her cheek.
| lightly with rouge. She didn't nee(
much. Then she got out her littlt
| mascara box and proceeded to make
up her eyelashes.
When she descended some time
| later in the Nile green chiffon frocl
| with it's tight basque, her black hal
| brushed back from her brow in tina
amazing sweep, her blue eyes full O.
| the sea, she was quite radiant.