Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-11-24
VEN BY HELEN r. HULL

easily and Constance saw his eyebrows bulge
over his brow. "Now take these curtains
gave in easy because she was worried. That's
all. She's not young, you know, and she
has set ideas"
'What vas she worried about?" Constance
felt a shiver contract her skin like . cold
breath. mo, tell mel think know"
"She didn't like your mother going away
Not today"
what business is it Of hers?" Constance
pulled her hands violently from Lynn's grasp.
"She didn't like the looks Of it,
"How does it look?" Constance was on her
feet her own anxiety running as fuel to her
anger. How does it look for mother TO 60 TO
Springfield to see Aunt Paul?"
Lynn rose slowly, his face flushing
"You see!" she cried, softly. "They don't
matter to us, but they make me say things TO
you. Oh, Lynn! We've waited 50 long. Wen
wait too long" She was clinging to him, her
face on his shoulder.
Constance sighed and looked up at him. She
could see him struggling for words, comforting,
banal, easy words.
1--WE got to go off for a few days, too" His
hand touched her hair gently. when come
back you'll feel better what?"
Where Lynn" her hands clutched at his
sleeve.
Connecticut Philadelphia. Factory busi-
ness. Got to see some Of the directors"
"Lynnl" Constance stretched up. her arms
about his neck. Lynn, take me with you'll"
How could we, CONNER"
ST don't know? Any wayl The town hall
where do people get married in a hurry? They
dol"
I'VE couldn't" His voice was stern, as II
his own brief flame has alarmed him. eft
would be foolish, with everything planned"
Eyes. Foolish" Constance moved away
from him, her arms limp at her sides. EFT
would look queer" She laughed.
but it's only two weeks now, Connie. Good
Lordl Do you suppose I don't want you?" He
seized her shoulders; Constance felt his cheek
her hair. Suddenly she was laughing softly.
"There." She choked little. Poor Lynnl
I'm bad to tease you when know-it wouldn't
do"
us there something back Of this-you're
worried about?"
mo. No sense in it." Constance sighed with
laughter. kiss me, Lynn, and run home be-
fore disgrace myself-any more"
When he had gone she stood for q time
where he had left her. The reading lamp
threw softened light on her face, making a
strange mask. catching In relief on all the
oblique, downward planes Of chin, cheekbones,
eyelidS. And the mask Of fear.
TWO days later Constance unlocked the door
and let herself into the dark empty house
It was Hulda's afternoon and evening out. Con-
stance let her packages slip to the floor as she
reached for the letters on the hall table. Mrs.
Henry Sprague! That was from father Miss
Constance Sprague, from Lynn. Not very
TX,
ing of her mother.
Lynn's first. Just a note. He had decided
to leave the Pennsylvania trip till later. Part
Of their wedding tour They could stop at
Philadelphia on their way South. So he would
be home earlier than he had expected, perhaps
as soon as his note. With haste and much
love- Lynn.
Constance let her finger tips rest against his
name, and her eyes dreamed little. Dear
Lynn! How foolish she had been, that evening"
bothering him.
AS she ran her finger under the fiap of her
mothers letter, she noticed the post mark, New
York. Hastily she drew out and unfolded the
sheets.
Dear Constance:
Whether not deserve = hearing,
mean to ask for one. didn't intend
this Not now. I meant to wait until
you were safe from any effect Of my ac-
lions. should have known that the
Holt tribe was so numerous that nowhere
could escape them. And now that I
have been Seen might as well 60 on
You, yourself, will admit I am done for.
honestly thought John had sailed that
morning fought all night, minute by
minute until it should be o'clock. If
had known in time might have fought
little longer. But how would you act
If you went to your execution, and found
your head still on! His letter came too
quickly after I thought was through
He had Cancelled his sailing and come on
to New York. I could reach him until
Wednesday, when he would leave
What planned in all sincerity was lust
to see him once more It seemed so
plausible, with Aunt Paul's letter right
there. thought no one would know and
could then grow old and die with one
golden day in my life. I thought it
couldn't harm you. And then to see old
Mamie Barse and her dried-up daughter
staring at usl No way to shut their
mouths. So you see might as well 60