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

The girl interested him more than
any girl he had seen in years-and he
had seen many.
flowers. They commanded new specialist.
but he insisted that there was no organic
trouble. They were all dreadfuy concerned.
Only Kitty Wayne whispered heresy to Bertha
cts on account of Shelby getting engaged"
But Bertha made round eyes of horror
"Sh-h-h," she whispered back. How can you
imagine such thing! She's had these spells
before"
To which Kitty replied hardly: "She always
has one when somebody in the familyS doing
something she doesn't like"
Kitty" said Bertha, that is the most I'M
fair, unkind thing ever heard you say"
Perhaps Kitty felt she had gone too far.
"Oh WELL" she replied II suppose we'll all
feel so when our oldest sons get married"
And there the subject ended.
STIIL. for all her weakness, Mrs. Wayne
would not hear Of postponing Leila's visit.
She intimated to Shelby that if Leila didn't
come now she might not live to see her. and
with. She told them all that she wanted them
to entertain for Leila, mo matter what hap
pened"-she directed Rose to have the house
specially cleaned, and to buy various decorative
additions for the room Leila was to occupy
Shelby was torn between solicitude for his
mother and the perfectly mad Joy he felt that
Leila was coming She would never have con-
sented to come he knew, if she had not meant
to say Eyes" to him. He wrote to her every
teloO hoeid haN
answers never held anything to discourage his
hopes He walked on air, he sat hilariously
on top OF the world-when he wasn't having one
Of his bad moments about his mother. Even
they were not very bad. He was sure that the
sight Of Leila would make his mother perfectly
well and as happy as himself.
Leila came on late afternoon train, and
Shelby would have met her in town and
brought her out, but his mother had a sinking
spell, and the only thing that helped her was
to hold tight to Shelby's hand I'm SO dis
gusted with myself" she managed to whisper.
Il meant to be downstairs to meet her. hope
she won't mind"
Shelby assured her that Leila wouldn't mind,
though he knew that she would be disturbed at
coming into house where her hostess was so
ILL., At times he questioned the wisdom Of the
invitation-it would be horribly dreary for her,
II his mother didn't get better. 1t was worn
d tr"cted Shelby who rushed down at
the sound of the returning motor but at sight
Of Leila he forgot his troubles. She was so
honestly glad to see him. there was such prom
ise in her eyes, in her smile, she was so oddly
embarrassed and so intent not showing it!
Aunt Rhoda thinks I'm mad to come" she
said land am of course. How's your mother
by this time?"
"She's not so well today. but she thinks she'll
be better tomorrow. Oh, Leila it's such heaven
to see you-to have you actually here in my
house."
Rose, entering with prim apologies for her
delay prevented further celestial comparisons
Rose had dressed hastily. her hair was rumpled,
her belt ribbon dangling her strained, plain
face seemed more tense. palmer than usual
But she was kindly and from the first, she
liked Leila. She offered little. anxious cour-
tesies
Are you tired after such a long trip? But
1 know you are. You must come up to your
room-Shelby, are you having the baggage
brought up? And I'll have one Of the maids
unpack for you-and would you like a cup
Of tea. or-or coffee? Do you want to lie down
little while? We have dinner at half past
Seven-"
Leila said that she would like the tea, that
she would unpack, that she was not tired
She followed Rose upstairs.