Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-01-25

~ train tnlns SaIlOW, SidA n
~ eyed woman took possession OF
II am Mrs. Rock" the
woman said. Your aunt sent me to
meet YOU. Come this way"
A cab was waiting and as they
iolted over the frozen ruts OF Decem-
Der Mrs. Rock talked steadily IN
deep, dull, sing-song voice.
Your aunt is very bad. The doc-
tor thinks she can't last much longer,
but she wouldn't be here now IL II
wasn't for me. I've stood over her
6ay and night, as you might say. l
couldn't do anything else and live
with my conscience. That woman
who does the work, Mrs. Drum. I've
no use for her, and you won't nave,
either, after you've observed her Tor
day or two. I'm open and above
board myself. When you wrote 10
your aunt that you were coming
said to myself: I see Mrs. Drums
hand in this but all the same I'm
glad you could come, l am SO.
Jean kept quiet. Three days before
a letter had come, signed, Agnes
Drum. Jean had been impressed more
by what 1t did not contain that by
what 1t did. She said to her nus
band: I'VE are sending more and
more money to Aunt safe, ana 4
wonder if she's getting all OF the gooo
of IT. / don't see what's become Oh
her own income. she coulon have
used it up. | don't see, either, why she
has ceased writing to me. 1t isn't 1ke
Aunt Safe even If she is frall' I'm
going out to HickVille to discover
what l may. After all, shes my
mothers sister, an I'm not gong 10
LET 500 miles of railroad ties stand
between me and my duty ! owe ner'
So Jean was in Hickvllle tohlght'
and Mrs. Rock, a woman she ha9
never seen nor heard mehtloIleu' ia"
taken charge of her.
"Odd that Mrs. Drum didn't men
ton her" Jean thought. What sort
of person is this housekeeper OF
Aunt Safes, l wonder
She decided not to judge until she
could see for herself, but already
these few hurried, timid sentences
and that delicate, old school mana Oh
Mrs. Drums had visualized for Jean
a small, gray-haired woman with
gentle eyes. -.
And this was just what Mrs. Drum
turned out to be when she met theIn
at the door. Mrs. Rock went In WIN
Jean boldly, as if she had the right
You'll likely want bite OF sup
per." she said, before you see your
aunt. ii 20 up anu
till you're ready to come.
lean saw a look of helpless exas-
peration pass over Mrs. Drums face.
But she said nothing, merely led the
way to the dining room.
Jean ate heartily. She had been
two days on the train and she was
hungry After she had eaten she
went upstairs to her aunt's room.
She found that Mrs. Rock had laid
aside her coat and hat and was rub
bling the sick woman's arms with
massage brush.
"Auntie, dear, I've come to see
YOU" Jean said, bending over her:
Aunt Safe opened her eyes. Her
expression was cold.
at was not necessary. / am sure
I am doing well enough as 1 am. Mrs.
Rock looks after me as well as L
WISH" she said.
Jean drew back, surprised and
hurt.
IF I had wanted you 1 should
have sent for you," Aunt Safe said,
and closed her eyes again rebel
nously.
Jeans eyes were dark and bright.
She turned them now in flashlight
glance of interrogation upon Mrs.
Rock and surprised a look of triumph
and mallClOuS SdIlSIdELlOIl lHdl A0uoCo
in her instant suspicion.
Mrs Drum had no authority from
me to send for you," Aunt Safe con-
tinued. Il am going to get through
with that woman just as soon as l
can find some one to take her place.
Don't get excited" murmured
Mrs Rock, plying the massage brush
soothingly. She turned to Jean. May
be you better go now. If she gets
stirred up she. won't sleep all night"
Jean slept soundly that night. for
she was of a vigorous habit and she
was tired When she awoke her head
was clear, her nerves rested and she
felt equal to any situation.
She had her breakfast. Mrs. Drum
waited upon her silently. Afterward
she went to her aunt's room, carrying
the breakfast tray herself.
Look here, auntie,' she said as
she sat down beside the bed, who is
Mrs. Rock and what is she doing
here? You haven't known her long,
have you? Why don't you have a
regular nurse instead of herr"
Aunt Safes large, pale face stiff
ened. "She is my friend. She has
been very good to me. Now, If you've
come to make trouble between Mrs.
Rock and me you may as well go
away. 1t can't be done"
''I don't want to make any trouble"
Jean replied. But / do certainly
want to find out what makes Mrs.
Rock so attentive. That sort Of wom-
an is never disinterested."
She spent an hour trying to find
out something from her aunt, but
she could discover nothing. So she
went to Mrs. Drum. And Mrs. Drum
was evasive. She seemed to be too
much frightened to say anything.
A week passed. Jean watched ev-
cry moment. She wanted to be sure
that what she suspected was true.
She wanted to have proof before she