The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1927-01-28

and say goodnight" She crossed the cor
ridOr, tapped at Barbara's door, and went
in. The girl was standing with her rose
cOlOred cloak on, flushed and startled.
"Oh, it's you, mother! / couldn't think
who-why, you didn't wait mp for met"
"N0, not exactly. I expect there's some
supper in the chatting dish"
Il don't want any. Mother, nothing is
the matter, is there2" She dropped her
cloak now, a woman, not a girl; she was
leaving school next term.
Eva sat down on the little couch by the
glowing rods of light against the copper
screen that formed the fire. 81 don't know
If Their. is anything wrong, Barbara.
The girl sank into a chair; her frOck was
a whisk Of spangles and fluff, her arms and
shoulders looked Of almost foolish deli
cacy, but the small, clear face was vivid and
VITAL, her expression was neither frivolous
nor futile. She lOked, Eva thought, tired,
despite her flush.
"Harry's been speaking to me. must
say it bothered me-"
Barbara's eyes narrowed; she spoke in
a tone which Eva had never heard her use
before.
Been speaking about me2"
She had betrayed herself; there was
something wrong.
mo, about himself. But he did say.
about you, that you weren't quite happy"
Poor old Harry! He's such a good sort.
l wish you'd get him out OF that rotten
SThen yeu know all about it, Barbara ?"
yes, Harry and / are good friends"
But haven't ! been a good friend to both
"Of course
Wei, then, why dOn't you tell me these
things?"
derstand-yOu're so different-One doesn't
feel you've ever had trouble nor tempta-
tiOn.'
result Of her long suppression!
Eva said: Glow queer Of you to say
that, Barbara. One doesn't talk Of the
things that have happened to One-the Sc
cret things. 1t is awful to me to be shut
out. I thought that you both were so
happy"
"it isn't your fault that we're not.''
you're not, hen" 1t was a cry from
Eva; the girl aay,erted her face. Barbara
81 don't want to speak Of i'll wish that
Harry hadn't said anything. It's a shame
to worry you"
ut worries me more to think I'm shut
out"
Il couldn't tell you
"Have you told Harry?'
"Oh, Harry's different"
"He isn't" Eva was vehement, as if she
were defending herself. Il wanted to be an
artist-just like Harry does
you, mOther?'
Eyes, but was timid-and distracted.
I've been ashamed to tell any One' even
your father
How queer, mother" Barbara gazed at
her with curiosity. Then you'll get Harry
off the engineering"
I'll try-but yOu?"
The girl rose. at isn't wanting to be an
artist that's the matter with me" she said
bitterly.
Eva rose also. Don't brighten me, Bar
THAT'S it." flashed the girl, brighten
you I won't say anything. I'm all right
Il didn't mean frighten," pleaded Eva
II meant don't keep me in suspense. I must
have been very stupid and inadequate, but
don't think 1 couldn't understand-what
ever it was"
Before her desperate sincerity the CIR
relented; she, too, was near the breaking
point Of nerves and control.
I'm in love, that's ALL"
A schoolgirl! Eighteen! But how old haC
she been the first time? Less.
There's nothing so dreadful in that.
Eva's lips quivered. "Of course, your,
young"
young! I'm alive. I'm grown up"
well, d~arling-why didn't you tell ne? 2
wouldn't like that" jerked out the girl
~agitated but without either defiance o
shame.
even than the shock was her desire to con
ceal it, and under all a certain wonder a
her own horror. When this had happene
to her it had not seemed dreadful o
terrible-why had she always regarde
Barbara as i~mmaculate2
mo, I don't like it." she said quietly
'but perhaps I'll be able to help you"
The girl seemed relieved at this absenc
Of emotion; her cold tension slightly re
Taxed, I'm afraid that you can't-nO on
could; we're in a fix"
"We?". Hardly could Eva keep the PAM
out Of her voice. Hes spoken then 2"
"Of course. You don't think that this
just a romance, do you, mOther2" aske
the girl bitterly. ITS real-and awful
"Who is itT'
81 don't suppose 1 ought to tell you.
would make it awkward for you to let hi
come to the house"
Come to the house! Some one they knew
This clandestine intrigue going on undo
the eyes Of all Of them!
- Eva had to shade her face with her haI
as she answered: "Has he written to you
Been to see you at schOOl-taken you out
"Yes. 1t seems so silly that l should ST
VS. be at school,"
TX "YOu had better not go back-you hf
hntAnr 90 nmrnw . sniH Eun dmllm owl