Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-11-24
HIS SACRED FAMILY #

stood her mother and John Barse. "Hes
going thought Constance. II just heard them
talking"
you will come with me- Amy So easyI
Just walk out Of this door with me tonight.
The boat sails at o. Tomorrow thereM be an
ocean between you and all this you hate 50.
Europe ahead Of US, love-"
"Johnl I can't! would only make you un-
happy. And here-there is Constance"
you've given your life to her. Now she has
her Lynn. That's all she wants. She's not like
you! What have you II you stay2"
mo, I won't go. I'm oldi" She flung her
arms wide, swaying backward, as II she fought
against vortex which was drawing her down.
"Old! You?" -.
Constance, straining wildly forward, saw him
move between those wide-dung arms, saw his
dark head swoop downward, and could look no
more. Her breath hoarse, she closed her door
softly-as If they would hear herl-and stum-
bling on the cord Of her bathrobe, felt her way
toward her bed. She heard q thin wall creep
ing under the door and then expanding, filing
the darkness her mothers, moi Mol can't!"
She crept into bed and hid her face. She.
pressed her palms over her ears until the blood
pounded like slow drums. ~
Her motherl And she had laughed at Lynn.
She had said, MY mother Is nne. You don't
understand her. She is generous and reckless
about-silly things. People don't like her here.
But she Is all f1ne, my mother"
A ND John Barsel She had been afraid OF
him, when he had FIRST come, last FAN.
He was like Mrs. Holt, Lynn's mother, more
like her than her own son. Dark, lean, kind
Of herceneSs-his hooked nose and dark sharp
eyes seemed wrought by his own spirit Just as
Lynn's mother made her feel All her life she
had stood out against Lynn's mother because
she had loved Lynn. Now when that fight was
won-Lynn had won, through his steadfastnesS,
and Mrs. Holt had given tn-this man had come.
Constance sat up, trembling. She heard the
door close with q sharp whine. She flung her
self upon her knees. Slow, heavy, her mothers
feet climbing the stairs, dragged past her door
to the end Of the hall. Constance pressed the
blanket against her lips, sitting the choking
cry. Her mother had not gone!
Over her breakfast Constance heard her
mothers voice. light, Unconditional giving di-
rectionS to Hulda. With q faint resentment
she felt that she had been dragged of a peak
of intensity down on to the level of common
place daily life. She never knew just what lay
beneath the surface with her mother. Well
Constance stretched q little, into comfort.
Good rolls. Her mother couldn't have cared
seriously and be so ordinary this morning.
Everything was all right. She could think about
Lynn-or read the morning paper. She propped
It against the percolator.
The clock on the mantel began to strike, its
sweet hurried notes tinkling Q o'clock. Then
Constance lifted her eyes. Through the door,
way she could see her mother standing In
the hail. her face turned away. Something rigid
in the straight, slender green figure caught
at Constance's throat.
She saw one hand waver out and close about
the edge Of a step; she saw the cords of the
white throat tauten into harsh, ugly lines.
Nine o'clock! John Barse sailed at g.
Constance shut her eyes until that clock had
dragged to its ninth stroke. When she looked
of the door. The girl sat for a long time, mo-
tionlesS, her young mouth growing stubborn
under her wide, plying eyes, There's nothing
else she could have DONE" she thought at last.
"And there is nothing can say to her.
She heard the poStmans shrtll whistle and
Immediately after, the opening Of the front
door. Her mother had been here in the hall all
this time.
The door swung open.
"a note for you, Connie" Her mother flicked
it to the table. "And a letter from Aunt Paul.
She wants me to come for few days"
why don't you go?" II she goes to Spring.
field she can get used to his being gone-the
girls thoughts darted at the relief-and can
get used to knowingl
Eyes, it would" Under the sudden intent
gaze Constance's eyes filled with tears. Another
instant and she would have cried out, 81 know
all about it. Don't hate me because you gave
him up! You couldn't have gone" But her
mother added quietly well, then, If you are
sure you don't mind think I'll go this after
noon"
Just after luncheon, as they waited for the
taxi, Lynn telephoned. Did Constance want to
60 to a movie after dinner?
"I don't know. want to see you"
"You all right, Constance? You sound tired"
The clamor of the doorbel broke In on the
whr at her ear
"oh. Lynn! I'm sorry-got to go-the taxi's
here"
where you going?"
Constance smiled. That was one Of Lynn's