Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-08-11

see him-Dave, Andrew ana ROSS none OF
them stayed long since they would see him in
the evening at the family dinner that was
always q feature after Wayne returned from
any sojourn of more than a weeks length To
Ross the youngest and most congenial, Shelby
related what had happened Ross got his point
of view instantly.
Poor mother" he said. you've always been
her fair-haired child. Kitty and 1 have often
wondered what she would do II you got mar
ried"
You sound as if marriage was death. I'll
hardly stop being fond Of mother because
have wife"
of course not-but she'll feel that your in
terest is mostly with your wife, and she'll have
to get used to taking second place. and she's
going to find it very hard"
But it isn't second place! It's entirely diff
ferent."
"Yes-yes Well, as I said, after the first,
she'll be all right. And tell you Shell wish
YOU all the happiness in the world. You've
been the greatest sort Of friend to me. you've
made us ALL as a matter Of fact. and you've
been almost too urselsh with us. Now. you
lust fiy to it aud get something out Of life for
yourself"
Ross pronounced this little speech of graft
tude and good will almost like an insult. being
unused to putting sentiment into words. But
Shelby understood and appreciated. Good
ChaDS, his DTOtueIS. his SpAAto "Cht uP hAShSA'
Before he left the Office he wrote letter 70
Leila, and sent telegram 10 meet her as she
got off the train.
Mrs Wayne managed to come down TO DIM
ner though she showed in every word and move
a great effort to pretend that nothing had nap
pened to disturb her.
THE sons and daughters-in-law revolved
Hlncn 0TVinl
~ kent the talk going on unimportant matters.
After dinner Shelby distributed the gifts ne
had brought-and his mother was grateful Tor
her share She kept him by her side, with a
hand on his arm most of the evening, as II
there was imminent danger that he might slip
awav at any moment Kitty, Ross wife. had
,panaeed to communicate the news to Bertha,
Mrs Dave Wayne and Nancy, Mrs. Andrew
Wayne but all three were apparently unaware
Of it, though they were burning with curiosity.
With mother feeling so badly, obviously they
couldn't he such brutes as to ask Shelby the
questions that we're scarifying the tips OF their
tongues!
After they had gone Mrs Wayne turned to
Shelby patheticay Dear boy, come to my
room We must talk"
So he came and sat beside her tadeta-
draped bed. and held her hand, and they
talked. She was contrite.
L want 20 near ulJlS duSuV-s1ASo AANAN-
ness"
"Call her Leila. mother, won't you?"
"Its too early for that, isn't it? I mean,
she might not like it. You said you were not
engaged"
He smiled at her But she can't hear you,
mother and it would make me feel as though
you knew her. as though she really belonged to
me-"
She passed that by. Il want to write to her,
IL hnr& A hal ~
q visit at once D'you think she would Gomez"
IT don't know. If she would, 1t would mean
she really cares for me"
"Ill ask her TO come. II you marry, Shelby,
YOU can take this house"
'I wouldn't dream of It, This Is your house"
II wouldn't want to live here just with Rose
and the servants. Oh, Shelby" her lips
quivered, her eyes filled again. she fumbled for
her handkerchief-"I have such a short time
to live couldn't you-couldn't you stay with
me, for that little while? Am 50 dreadful that
she-this girl-would mind sharing this house
with me? I'd not be in the way very long"
Mother, please, please don't talk like that.
We can't plan. can We, who is to live in this
house when don't know whether Leila will
marry me? Don't feel so badly-theres no
reason for it. You know Ill always do every
thing for you, just as I've always done. It's
my greatest joy to think l can"
"Your greatest joy-until now, Oh, Shelby,
can't get reconcied so soon. / can't"
Don't talk any more, you'll have another
headache. I'll leave the address here on your
desk, and you write to her when you feel well
enough
ST suppose you've written to her today?"
Written and wired Wait till you know her.
mother. She's marvellous"
She picked nervously at the lace Of her
negligee her mouth was pressed into hard
I3nn Iln StNNnQH
patted her shoulder. kissed her.
After he had left the room she lay there with
her hands clenched. She knew very well what
would happen when Shelby married. His wife
would sit at the head of the table, his wife
would engage his attention. around him and