The Washington times., 1929-02-16

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quantity. Her heart was in the
right place, but she was so
equelched every time she, opened
!. 1ler mouth, that mostly she kept
1t shut. Her natural sweet and at
tractive disposition and personal.
.ity had been crushed, instead of
Being allowed to develop. Lord
O'More had much to answer for.
Mclean decided.
Then there was the Angel to
consider. He knew her father
and mother would be agreeable to
whatever arrangement suited her.
When he considered every angle
of the situation. and untangled
all the threads, it boiled down to
Freekles and the Angel. They
were the two youngsters whose
lives must not be wrecked by the
stupidity of the older ones. II
they were happy, no one else mat.
tered; for next to Freckles. Nc.
Lean loved the Angel. Even l
don't matter" he unused, "I'll do
anything. or make any sacrifice
for the kids" @a
In truth, Lord O'More's castle
5 of tyranny was tottering on its
: foundations. Wrong things can.
not endure forever; eventually
they are discovered, and made
Eight; just so, people cannot be
Unfair. and unjust always; they
must see the light, before II. is too
late, and have time to make rep
aration for their mistakes whether
Intentional or otherwise.
Gradually. as McI.ean's turbulent
thoughts formed themselves into a
definite shape, he began to enjoy
himself. and to take note OF his
fellow pa ssengers. Next him sat
"a most attractive woman. The
hair that blew across her mobile
face. was white, and softly
curling
Mclean looked at her eyes; they
were wide-open, understanding
eyes, with little wrinkles at the
corners. Mclean smiled. He
remembered his mothers advice
To him when he was a young
man. my boy" she had said,
""nGver marry girl unless she
has little wrinkles at the corners
Of her eyes; they are the laugh
ing wrinkieg." and they always
indicate a sweet. happy disposi'
ton" ......-- ... ..-
his paper, he saw a handsome,
stalwart young man come up
and speak to her. They seemed
very good friends. Then actual
pain stabbed McI4ean'S heart; the
left coat sleeve was tucked neatly
in the coat pocket! Mclean
passed his hands over his eyes.
and looked again. Yes. he was
right: the left hand was gone.
But the boy was not sad or
Iilorose, one could see that at a
glance. His eyes snapped; there
was an eagerness on his face;
and as he sat chatting with the
woman, cherry laugh rang out
again and again
Mr.. Mclean made up his mind.
He would speak TO them. He felt
that he must, because of the boy.
He read a few pages more, and
when the boy had left. he folded
his paper. and made the plunge.
No excuses. or "Haven't-I met
YOU before" alibis for Mclean; he
went at this as he would tackle
q business proposition-straight
from the shoulder. He leaned
toward the woman, and took off
his cap.
j my name is James Ross Nc
Lean" he said. Il am without
anyone to talk with; would you
take pity on lonely man?'
She came back with an equally
straightforward answer.
my name is Elizabeth Ander-
son and l would be delighted 20
he friends" One could not look
Rt Mclean and fail to trust him.
She smiled and all the little
wrinkles around her eyes puck
cred up. and there was a dimple
in one cheek Her mouth was.
not a rosebud--it was comfort.
ably large, and her smile re-
vealed even white teeth. Her
voice was low and even.toned.
Instantly Mclean liked Ger-he
liked her very much. Their cont
yersation drifted around, as con-,
versations will.
This boy VINO talks with you,
Is he your SOM"
mo, he isn't. lost my boy
in an airplane crash. But am
not sorry / let him fly" She
defended herself fiercely. He
wanted to most Of anything in
the world, and he had a wonder
ful time. L believe it Is better.
to live a short. happy life, than
10 live long life of regret and
discomfort"
That's wonderful theory
Aut this boy2" Mclean had to
know about him: he seemed a
link. someway. between Freekles
and himself; sort Of a kindred
spirit.
This boy is Paul Stewart: the
son Of friends of mine. They are
wonderful people. but their ,fi-