Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-11-11

side New York they looked at houses en-
tirely from the point of view of Little
House
From year to year they had made
changes in their dream. 1t was, for in
stance, a long time before they could
make up their minds to substitute plain
board shutters for the old-faShioned
blinds. But they finally came to it.
There was to be a device cut into the
shutters-Dove wanted a rose, Duck
wanted a Tyre. All their life they had
been planning. OF course, Dove might
live in the Little House alone. But,
Duck reflected Savagely, she might just
as well ask her mother to inhabit a
tomb. No, she must not marry.
y X x
A LWAYS, at Fiftieth street, Duck
"A meditated mournfully, she had be-
gun to hurry; for there her beloved
shop came into sight. But today her
feet Jagged And then suddenly she
caught sight of Dan Edison.
His eyes lighted with their eagerest
fire as they caught hers. Her eyes took
fire from his. 1t would have been APP
parent to anybody how they felt toward
each other.
I'm an awful shine to inflict myself
on you when you are opening your
shop" Dan declared, but I've some
thing-er-important. And there are
always bores of customers hanging
about, if come in later"
Nothing pleaSeS me more, I'd like
you to understand, than to have those
'bores of customers hanging about.
That's what I opened the shop for, you
know
"Beastly commercial point of view
you've got!'
This really is no time for you to
CALI" Duck managed sternness. But,
all the time, her star-filled eyes belied
her words. You'll be in the way.
have to dust and rearrange things"
Let me dust" Dan suggested eagerly.
I'm half inclled to take you up on
that" Duck threatened 1T would be
such an agreeable exhibition"
BY now they had entered Mr. Nc
Farland's big shop (Angus Mcfarland.
Spanish and Italian Antiques; had
answered Mr.. McFarland's Good
morning; had turned into the little
room that was Ducks domain.
It gave Duck thrill to enter this
quite new little shop of hers. Scattered
colorfully about were lamp shades, ba-
tiks, scarfs. Ordinarily Duck, blissfully
rearranging her wares, made the most
of a new position, new angle, new
light. But today she merely busted and
put things back in the places she had
found for them yesterday. Her mind
and eyes were too full of Dan. Dan
did not move from the spot on which
after entering the room he had stationed
himself
He spoke suddenly.
you are the most beautiful thing I
have ever seen in my life," he said
quietly.
The lamp shade Duck was rearrang-
ing nearly fell from her fingers.
Should say, like the girl in that
play last night, Say, you're some little
kidder, aren't your" she faltered.
I'm not kidding-and you know it.
You know I mean every word of what
I'm saying. You know I'm so much in
love with you that can't see straight.
You know I want you to marry me as
soon as you can. =. When will you
marry me, Shirley?"
X X X
HOW terrible to have it come like
that! He ought to have given her
a chance to evade. Now she must re-
fuse him outright. How could she
how could she?
"Oh, please don't talk like this" she
begged helplessly. 1T makes me so I'M
happy. don't know how to tell you
that I can't-don't want-please let's
consider it unsaid and go back"
What do you mean-go back?" Dan
took her up swiftly. Get me, please
I'm asking you to marry me. want an
answer want yes In fact, I won't
take anything else. You don't have to
answer But we're engaged. Engaged!
I'm going to get the ring this afternoon.
Such a lovely old thing from Venice"
Dams ring on her finger! Then, II
can't marry you, Dan," she said stonily.
I'm sorry, but can't"
Dan stared at her silent instant.
whats the great idea?" he demanded
finally.
We'll you see-I AMI have"
Why had she not provided herself with
the right lies, compactly expressed?
"You see, have-responsibilities-
duties-Tm not free"
Are you married to any other man?"
Dan asked.
Certainly mott"
Are you engaged to any other MANI"
Certainly mott"
Are you in love with any other
man?"
Certainly notp'