Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-01-15

MAS Tom and Carol had been in New
York. and on their way home. after
that annual three weeks OF theaters
and hotel life that they allowed them.
ael, es. they had finally accepted Phi.
lenda standing invitation TO stop off
at her home in Chicago.
Ii was not the first time that Carol
had seen Philenda since her marriage,
for Philenda usually came to see her
parents once or twice year, little
visits SandwiChed in between months
abroad or trips to Bermuda or the
leasing Of house somewhere for a
season of golf or swimming or what
ever Phiienda's current urge toward
sport might he.
Al these activities radiated from
Chicago. Of course. for Louis Carvers
business was there and 50 was he,
most Of the year. Louis did not ac-
company his wife on her visits 10 her
old home and Carols chief memory OF
him was derived from the weddinS at
which she had been one Of the brides.
maids and had wondered good deal
about him. beins then fancy-free her.
self There WAS something so con-
tanned and vet SO Keen in his manner,
and he had avoided all the common
place furry over being a bridegroom
and carried off his part without en-
harrassment. The local verdict had
been that it was remarkable that Phi.
lenda had caught him. Philenda was
not ore of the real beauties OF the
younger set.
But caught him she had. And. after
eight years. she still had nm. ana
many other things besides. Carol her
self was not affiuent but she was used
to nice houses and she was no ingenue
in the matters Of rugs and furniture
and china. Most Of the women she
knew made a point Of having pleasant
possessions. But Philenda was out OF
the range Of those women. intimately
and affectionately acquiring things
thev liked. Carol felt il from the mo-
nnent they had met at the station. 1t
was not merely the luxury of the Lake
Forest establishment, hut something
deeper and more extended. Philenda
did not seem to have the slightest van
ity about what she owned. She had
simply passed into the class OF those
who possess on such large scale that
their minds are totally occupied by
administration.
She had not become beautiful, but
that was no longer as necessary as 1t
had been eight years ago. when she
had 10 compete for attention instead
of comma nding IL. and she was very
expert in the matter of her OWN style.
That had been worked out and detailed
TO such degree that it was impossible
70 imagine Philenda's thin. beautiful.
~ massa Sed face above any gown not
s;riktngly suited to her. Her very
slippers always chung 10 a type. She
had good eyes. gray. and sometimes
suddenly blue. that would have been
better of in a beautiful face than in
Philendas thin. rather bloodless one.
But she did not accept the eyes in
her costUmins. She accepted her sill
houette. which was perfect for the
times. and a questioning, rather chal-
longing manner of holding her head as
abe talked. as If she wondered whether
there was really anything Of impor-
lance left to he said. Several portraits
Of Philenda in that mood hung about
Che house.
The first night Carol came upon
enc Of them. done by an impression
ietie artist who was rather lavish with
crayons. II startled her. because it
vas uncannily like the Philenda Rice
she had known. and yet SO very un.
Ike. She wondered as she looked at
that picture whether she was going
60 have Q good time.
II WAS Louis who treasured her. He
did not appear until they had all gone
down for dinner and then came hastily
I'm. as they were lingering in a charm
Ag brocaded room that seemed to have
been especially built for that pleas
ant falf-nour before dinner. Louis
had that same air Of quiet. observant
restraint that Carol remembered. Like
Philenda. he was without swagger.
and he had plenty Of justification for
satisfaction with himself. as far as one
could see having multiplied very
aizabIe fortune many times in the
last eight years. But he was quite as
transformations as ever and evidently
Rad not even had time TO dress for
dinner. for he was wearing a gray
business suit.
He shook hands with his guests cor-
daily and paused over Carols hand.
Carol was wearing the dinner dress
she shouldn't have bought in New
York considering what they had spent.
II wasn't much Of dress at that. only
o color 4 nd an idea. but il was alive
end vivid. Ike Carol. She had brought
three children into the world since she
had last seen Louis q nd done IL. on the
whole, rather merrily. hut the only
visible effect on her seemed TO be that
she was more spirited. az II each child
had added 10 the life in her, instead
Of stealing any OF il.
ITS very good Of you 10 stop Off
and see Ne" said Louis. and sounded
80 II he thoroughly meant il.
The other way around" Carol told
him. ''thly In ~ near az I'll ever get
10 being presented at court. ID no
ides you were az grand an all this.
Louis"
"Grand7" he asked. Are we?"
fr&
You sound like PhiIends 80 horribly
used 10 IT,. want 10 stand around
and "a pe and push al the buttons and
see whether a butler Or a frog footman
appear
= think you're laughing st u.s." he
said easily.
Il an not I'm covering my rustic
ways with rustic cDynedy--fhai's all"
lie wsg sdmiring her. She knew
thai. Of course But shs war pleased
by ils admiration. which MAS not in
the least casual snd seemed 10 have
discrimination hebind H. Nothing
fVrt1ye. not q tgace u anything IN
fJles sent lay in his eyes lie couldn't
b. rnuch older than Tom. she thought
irFe3sYsntly. and yet he seemed TO
isys lt~ kind NJ control and ease that
l,elcrgeA 10 man twics his age
Gathered from al sorts of encounters,
sbe ina zin%f. and ~ many Ut them
important ones.
= topk the first train 7 could. PHI"
he saBd ~ bis wife, hut, II you're
hungry. haven't time 10 get into
Tft1Ent riofhef.
= 6gn't ere" ssld I'hilendS isZily,
~ tine rest ~ them csn stand that in
~ NINA Dry tie ~ yours over pink
,os<s /, ell depends on how much
t.tEN Tsu besf
I'bey made en- @Ks@ptionstly inter
sstlng couple ~ they stood there 10
gesiet IhjienGs 80 IKE sketch Of
something fashions bic snf Artificial,
End bride her the young msD with
fb| gFsse manners snn the simple
ways They shared something Inst
MADE item b<irDR tDgettsf thst wss
the oGd thing. fsroi wondered II ~
wak tfe3r Eo'n plst@ Indifferent" 10 pos.
sfelpns She wss interested, ana,