The Washington times., 1928-10-06

that Gillespie girl and her rough
neck friends. The I0w.down thing
the miserable"
Joan began to laugh. hysterical,
sobblng laughter that racked and
tore at her throat. ITS so funny,
your talking about Ruth now. be.
cause it's true-he's her friend.
But he wasn't always. He--he' $
the one / knew. Maisie--the one j
loved" She laughed again. peal
after peal OF helpless. mirthless
laughter. IT'S 50 funny your
guessing Il. Ruth, you
know" And then she was cry.
ing again. gaspingly, brokenly Il
cant bear it'll can't cant"
When Joan looked up at her
again through her tears she saw
that Maisie was crying. too.
Poor child" Maisie murmured
brokenly. Poor child"
Just a very small party" Mrs.
BarstoW said to Joan. Just you
and / and Curtis, and Eugenia
Laird and her brother Tim, and
my old friend. Mrs. Lawrence
Nora Lawrence. Nora and / will
sit by the fire and knit and YOU
children can gather red berries
and hike and dance. Curtis wants
you so much, and I'm sure you II
enjoy Thanksgiving in the coun.
try - the cabin is in the real
woods, you know"
oh. I'd love to come" Joan's
face glowed with delight. She
= fnf- Mrz -
gratefully.
''Then 1 shall look forward to
having you. On Wednesday,
directly after 'lunch--it's q long
ride''-
A chill foreboding touched Joan
even as she smiled. Was Mrs.
Barstow really glad she was com.
ing. or was she just asking her
because Curtis insisted? This
Eugenia Laird and the Mrs.
Lawrence-what would they he
like? What would they think of
girl who worked in a shop?
What would Mrs. Barstow say il
she knew about Bill IL
she knew how he had come last
night and crushed her in his
arms, kissing her, bruising her
wait" she cried. Wait. Mrs,
Earstow. I'm not sure / can
come, We're really quite busy
l shouldn't ask to get off now.
Thank you just the same,
m afraid / don't understand.
Mrs BarstOw said coldly. do
you mean you have other plans.
something you would rather do
perhaps?"
oh, no. no. But we're BUSY"
What's the argument about"
Francine drawled, swishinr into
the shop from the workroom with
q small black hat In her hand. "a
httle import / just got in. You
might try 1t on. Mrs Rarstow
Black Is so good this season"
was just asking Joan for
thanksgiving, at the cabin" Mrs.
barstow said. "but she thinks
you're too busy to let her go"
nonsense. Francine cried.
holding up her hands and Icing
very French as she always did
with customers. NONSENSE OF
course. the child can 60. ANY.
thing you want, Mrs. BarRtow.
1ou nave only to ask. Then that's
settled. Just trv the
little hat. The pins are real tor.
toise-"
Now Joan had to 60. There
was no escape. The small fore.
boding that had touched her like
a chillbreeZe dAeDened as the
afternoon wore away. When Cur.
tbs called she could not face him.
She sent Maude Murphy 10 say
that she had already gone home.
Covering behind the gray vel.
vet curtains Of fitting room she
hear Maude say, Yes. she's gone
home oh, a few minutes
ago. No. I don't know why she
didn't wait an eTrand
maybe oh you're wei.
come--goOd- by"
In the dusk. Of the little room
Joan wiped her damp forehead
with Il wisp OF handkerchief.
listened for the sound Of the
motor starting outside.
She had lied to Curtis.
Curtis who was so generous and
good. The first lie she
covered her face with her hands.
The first lie the abeSin.
ming Of hundreds flor he
must never know never
know about Bill.
Go be Continued Monday