Evening star., 1927-11-20

4 said is a low tone. Il wasn't
ever child. / was old VIXEN |
was 10. I've told you all about my
aelf. because | couldn't have come
here with you If l hadn't; and you
know why I am 80 eager and excited
and so happy that guardy is coming.
/ owe him everything in the world
mother. II don't know why. He
said when I was older / would under
stand. And he's such wonderful man
himself, with such a splendid war
record"
Dora Marlin rose from her chair.
end placed her arms affectionately
around her companions shoulders.
Yes dear" she said gently. Il
know. l was only teasing. And you
wouldn't be Polly Wickes if you
wanted to do anything else than sit
here and wait until you are quite.
quite sure that he wouldn't come to-
night. But as I'm already sure he
won't because it's so late, I'm going
TO bed. You don't mind. do you, dear?
] want to see if father is all right, too.
Poor old dad.'
Dora" Polly Wickes was on her
feet. "Oh. Dora. I'm so selfish. Ii
wish / could help. But I'm sure it's
going to be all right l don't think
that specialist was right at all. How
could he be? Mr.. Marlin is such
dear
Dora Marlin turned her head away,
and for a moment she did not speak.
When she looked around again there
was a bright, quick smile on her lips.
II am counting lot on Capt. New
conlbe's and Mr.. Locke's visit" she
said. I'm sure it will do father good.
Goodnight. dear-and il they do come,
telephone up to my room and I'll he
down in a jiffy. Their rooms are all
ready for them, but they're sure to be
fanished. and
nounced Polly Wickes. 1.-The idea of
upsetting a household in the middle
q the night! I'll send them back to
1lSeir yacht"
"You won't do anything of the
Ainb"' said Dora Marlin;
.Yes. / will,' said Polly Wickes.
wen. he won't come anyway" said
Dora Marlin.
"Yes, he will"'
mo, he WON'T
They both began to laugh.
But I'll tell you what III do" said
Polly Wickes. after he's gone I'll
creep into bed with you and tell you
all about 1t. Good night dear"
tGood night, Polly fairy" said Dora
Marlin.
Polly wickes watched the white
form weave itself in and out of the
checkered spots of moonlight along
the veranda, and finally disappear in
side the house; then she threw herself
her hands clasped behind her head.
and lay there strangely alert. wide.
eyed, staring out on the lawn ~
She was quite sure hessyoHM come
even yet---because when they had
sent over to the ma ainland for the mail
(; yesterday there had been letter from
hin, saying he would arrive some time
today. a, ..s:ss.%
How soft the night was!
duferent2 Had what Dora had
tsout the viewpoint from which
assures age been really true?
II were! She was the one that
-eem changed-from little girl
: ils to a woman, not very old
hut avwoman. Would he
:. recognize her again?
wonderful, glorious. dreamy
49, Z is.
Was she dreaming even
.iiliinx wide awake, that she
was here: q dream that supplahted the
soualors OF narrow, ill-lighted streets,
OF dark, -creaking staircases, of lurk-
Ing, hungry shapes. of stalking vice, OF
homes that were single, airless rooms
gaunt with poverty-a dream that
supplanted all that for this, where
there was, only a world OF beautiful
things, and where even the airs that
whispered through the trees were
balmy with some rare perfume that in.
.tcxicated the senses with untold joy?
She startled herself with a sharp
Mttle cry. Pictures, memories. vivid,
swift in succession, were flashing un-
hidden through her mind-a girl in
ragged clothes who sold flowers on the
street corners. In the parks. a gutter
unipe the London hobbies" had called
her so often that the term had lost any
personal meaning save that it classi-
fed the particular species of outcasts
to which she had belonged: room
that was reached through the climb
ing Of q smutty, dirty staircase in
tenement that moaned in. its bitter
Aght against dissolution in common
with it's human occupants; room
that was Scanty in it's furnishings,
where a single cot bed did service for
two, and a stagnant odor of salt fish
was never absent: a woman that was
gray.haired, sharp-faced, of language
and actions at times that challenged
even the license of Whitechapel. but
one who loved, too; the smell from
the doors Of pastry shops on the better
streets that had made her cry because
they had made her more hungry than
ever; the leer of men when she had