Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-12-07
RHODA
A Red-H Headed Girl
By Henry Kitchell Webster
Amer


back into his bedroom just as he turned
on the light in here. So heard all lie
and Claire said while they were quar-
reling. But they were both so angry.
each with the other, that could hardly
tell what it was about"
1t struck him that he ought to know
the framework of their quarrel; prob
ably ne would when he'd come to a
little better. But what he was really
aware of now was how nice it was to
have Rhoda sitting so close beside him.
He must make an effort, though, to put
things together, and presently, as the
result OF moment of rather feeble
thinking, he asked why was he chas-
ing you around the place, if he thought
you'd gomez"
He wasn't" Rhoda said. ct wasn't
running away from him. I'd had q
long talk with Mr.. Forster 1 think /
found out quite lot from him, Martin.
linen talked with Max. All he want
ed was to get rid of me, and he thought
he had And then I heard my uncle
talking to Mr.. Forster and I simply
bolted in panic. 1t was perfectly silly,
but I'm glad 1 did, or l wouldn't have
been here now"
Except for the extreme soreness of
his jaw, the effect of Max's blow had
pretty we'll passed. He could see all
-
face with the traces of tears still upon
it. There was nothing in what she'd
told him to account for those tears
What had they been doing to you?"
he asked. They must have doEe
something or you wouldn't have cried"
She didn't answer his question at
once; just sat as she was, looking down
into his face. He saw her eyes getting
brighter and her mouth witch in
kyfa - H.
smile. Then, with sob, she put her
head down on his chest and chung to
him. Il thought Max had killed you,"
she said.
The words had a surprising effect
upon him. In the moment before they
were spoken he had felt a throb of
clear rapture tempered only by
craftsmanship incredulity that any
thing so like the last page of a fairy
story could really have happened. But
what she said went down horribly the
wrong way. He saw himself from the
view OF disintcrcsted spectator, order
ing Max to turn Rhoda over to him,
perceiving what MaX'S intentions to-
ward him were, trying to dodge around
him to the door and getting knocked cold
by one punch. He felt completely ridicu-
lous. You aren't likely to be killed by
getting sock on the jaw" he said. II
WISH you IeC me get up"
He wanted to take her in his arms
and kiss her, but he wanted to do it as
her champion-not as a dying duck.
She stared at him, a perfect surge of
bright color flooding her face and then
Sprang to her feet. He couldn't spring
to his, but he clambered up as quickly
as he could. DiSconcertingIy, he found
himself swaying as he Strengthened up
and he was aware that she started, and
then instantly repressed. movement to
support him. Luckily this giddineSs
passed in a second or so, and he was
able to put crisply enough the question
he wanted to ask
What happened after Max knocked
me out?" He had already begun explor-
ing his pockets.
He took an envelope" she said. "Out
of that pocket; the first one he felt in.
l suppose it must have been the ticket
and trunk check he said you'd stolen
from him. He didn't look inside. Just
crammed it in his pocket and went out,
as quickly as he could"
How long ago was that? I mean, how
long was out?"
II don't know. 1t seemed a long time