Evening star., 1928-05-26

"IFTEEN minutes later they were
on their way. with 70 miles L
cover in less than an hour. Mrs
4 Palmer and Patricia, furred to
the ears. smiled in spite of them
selves as the car few over the silent
roads.
once clear of the city there was al
most nothing to interrupt the STEADY
resonant hum of the engine; at !
o'clock they we're in the woods, mount.
ing up and up toward the summit OF
the range.
Patricia managed the Tapping guide
book.
Curve right about watering through
in fork" she would command.
There it isl" the Spectacled ano
capped vision that was Dan would NUT
ter. "YeS?"
well. then come about miles or
good dirt road into Grants Hill" Patri-
cia would proceed. Dan. We have only
twelve-nine - five - only two more
milesi"
1t was lust 4 o'clock when the car was
stopped with a grating Scrape at the
little wooden station Of Pemberton. IL
was set in a crude clearing surrounded
/ by pines and especially desolate now In
the first timid fall of snowhakes. Dan
leaped from the car.
An agent appeared from the small
Office. The 80, from Deerbridge had
not yet arrived; she was late, he in
formed them Miracles OF miracles
they were in time!
The event of the day began to be-
wilder Patricia. AS she sat, thawlng
in the stuffy little Office. the whole
panorama seemed to float before her
with fantastic unreality.
Beatrice had come down late to break
fast dressed for riding. Patricia had
suddenly decided to slip in and say
good-by to Helena.
She had had that astonishing hour
In the bare studio: she had said good
BY to Mrs. Rogers: she had tangled the
Throckmortons and Ticky. and the In
gersolls. and Sidney. and Harry Eyre
into the. curious plot that had finally
brought this furred anxious woman and
this angry man far up into an absurd
little mountain station on New Year
Eve ~
Here's the trainl" Dan interrupted
her musings harshly. They went out
into a soft whirl of snow Maybe it's
all a wild-gooSe chase!" he admitted
neryously, as the train puffed up the
grade and stopped.
For a full minute nothing occurred.
The three looked at one another. shook
their heads Then, from the last plat
form. furred, bright-eyed and confident.
Beatrice stepped down. She was fol-
lowed by Sidney. carrying two bags.
The train departed. Beatrice turned
deathiy pale. but she did not hesitate
as the two groups walked slowly toward
each other She was the first to speak
We'll. mamma: well, Dan" she said
T
you're satisfied! ! knew you were spy
ing on mel"
The mother did not speak, but IN
stantly any self control that Dan had
mustered was scattered to the winds.
Never you mind whether we're salts
fed or not" Dan said. raging. "A gir!
that win run off with, married man
needn't talk about spying! I'm not
talking to you. you skunk" he added
fiercely, as the artist interDolated a re-
marx You keep out Of it,
II don't blame you for feeling angry
Palmer" Sidney's fine voice persisted
"but I'm leaving Deerbridge on Wed
neSday. perhaps forever. brought
YOUR sister up here TO see the little cabin
where Eyre and spent the Summer
once. It's only across the street. We
were going back on the evening train.
EdA4kGA6 . EfGs AE&I Oli tIaE 9tAAttffsE3
"I swear that's true, Pat" Sidney
said eagerly. as his ewes followed hei
glance There's nothing here but oul
supper. TIT seems last chance >
And quickly, opening his bag he tumbIeo
cans and spoons and grocery packages
into the fluffy first snow.
"Oh. baby" the mother breathed
Baby"
~ love Sid and ne loves me, NAM
ma" Beatrice explained loftily. But
| Patricia was glad TO zee that she moved
toward her mother as she spoke.
We've can't be married right now
can't tell you why. But We are goine
| To wait for each other And nobody
can stop us!" she finished denantly.
There's a train from here in ~
minutes" Dan said significantly. we
can talk these things over in the train.
II suppose you think / am goine
home like a bad child with its NURSE /
| Beatrice famed
Il know darn we'll you arel" Dan an
/ swered
well I'm not" Beatrice was fright.
ened. excited and determined all Al
1 once.
She painted childishly. and looked
| from her mothers stony face 10 Sidney
I seS 80