Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-03

wrong, 100.
=. Her parents, however, seemed to like
the sound of those words. Isn't she
beautiful" and they said them on an
average six times day, from that
moment on.
BY the time Avis was 8 she had be-
gun to take an interest in the meaning
OF this ecstatic exclamation. At 4 she
believed it implicitly. and, by the time
she was Is, there was no standing the
girl. But, by that time, her parents
were right.
Now, if Avis had had an unapprecia-
tive mother and father she might have
been a decent sort, but as it happened,
she was terribly spoiled. Her parents
pampered her and did all in their
power to make her believe that the
benefit and that people were on earth
merely because some time she might
need them.
If the Claytons had been worth mil
lions Of dollars. perhaps this lovely
theory would never have been exploded
But the Claytons were not even worth
thousands
Still Avis was taught to expect the
best. Everything was unimportant be-
fore her whims and fancieS. If she
desired a squirrel-trimmed coat, some
how it was managed, so that the senior
Claytons could eXclaim in raptuTouS
unison, isn't she beautiful"
A Wis was II when her mother died.
She YVES deeply wounded and
shocked. She had a firm conviction
that the powers that be had made a
mistake. Surely they were going pretty
far when they dared to cause Avis
Clayton any grief.
She was somewhat stunned when,
a year later, her father hurried to join
her mother She could not realize that
she was alone in the world. 1t was
unthinkable! Why. who would love
erything that she had learned to ex-
pect?
A friend Of John Clayton's ex-
planned to Avis that she was now the
familiar "penniless orphan"
Your father did fairly WELL" he
said, but, Avis, you have no notion
of what 1t costs to live and support
family. This suit I'm wearing is moth
ing unusual, but it cost me a hundred
dollars. My wife's hats cost between
ten and twenty dollars. The maids
salary is high. Money leaks out nova
days. I hope you're not feeling bitter
toward your OSSdGoO AAC "oS
unable to leave you anything.
Avis assured him that she was not.
She walked thoughtfully from the ofice.
A mist of tears blurred the tall buildings
and the people who hurried past. Her
father, it occurred to her. had not
bought suits that cost 500 nor had ner
mother known what smart hat looked
like. There had been woman to 90
the heavy work, but no permanent MAID
until her mothers last illness.
Avis looked down at her black dress.
It had been bought at the time OF ner
mothers death. It was Of the best ma
terial and fitted with rare perfection.
It was one of six that she had ordered.
For the first time, it seemed to her that
this had been wicked extravaganza.
X x X X
A Wis sold the furnishings Of her
"A house. The furniture had little
value. 1t was neither old enough nor
new enough to arouse a dealers inter-
est. A neighbor who was moving 10
larger quarters took the entire effects
Having this bit of money made Avis
feel independent enough to refuse an
invitation from a married cousin OF
hers. The cousin asked her to come ana
stay till she found a position. Con-
sidering that Avis was not fitted for any
position at all, this was indeed gen.
erous offer. But the penniless orphan,
being Avis Clayton, did not relish the
idea of moving uptown and sharing
room with 12-year-old girl She in
tended to pay her way in the world. She
had no doubt that shortly she would
have a pleasant, well paying position
with easy hours.
Cousin Laura was not so optimistic
concerning Avis success in the business
world. She reasoned that 5000 would
flow easily from a practiced hand, and
that, after it was gone, Avis would GER
tainly not have the courage to come 70
her for help, in view Of the fact that
her invitation had been declined in
more promising days.
Poor Cousin Laura did not know the
psychology of the spoiled child. Avis
was soon fixture at Cousin Lauras.
When a month had passed, she was
still breakfasting in a kimono at 10
o'clock and reading, with rather an
amused gaze, the want-ad section.
Laura never said word about this
lack of ambition. She was very kind
to Avis.
1t was through her that Avis met Gil
bert Trent. He was tall and good look
ing. He had pleasing personality, but
AVIS was IlUU OILllbOSLl WILL AlAAll ocs ASAA q
found the time to whisper. dozen girls
had been. Avis was too busy admiring
herself to see that Gilbert Trent was
unusual inasmuch as he wore his hand
someness with careless. unself.corl-
scious ease that she would have done
well to initiate.
Gilbert had been brought to Laura's
house by a mutual friend and had
formed the habit of dropping in oc-
casionally. When his eyes met Avis the
conviction gripped her that he would
now drop in more frequently than ever.
Surely there had been spark of inter-
est and surprise in his eyes. Avis was
pleased and her vanity purred so hap
PLY that she was moved to give Gilbert
Trent a few kind words.
They were together in the living room
OF the apartment. Laura had gone to
the kitchen to prepare an after-school
snack for the little girl. There was q
book on the table that Avis had read
the previous evening, and. for the sole
purpose Of making conversation, she
y eyes," he replied, II read 1t last
week"
what did you think of it? Didn't you
like it 1ot?" she said.
81 thought 1t ridiculous" he said.
"The whole plot hinges on the fact that
q man falls in love with girl at first
sight"
IT don't think that's ridiculous" Avis
said.
Gilbert Trent turned his dazzling
smile upon her. II don't think SO my
self any more" he said.
Avis arose purposefully. Come, let's
ask Laura IL we may have some tea.
think she is in the kitchen now"
After Gilbert had gone, Laura told
Avis all about him. He was only 23 and
extremely fine voice and was studying
in New York
what does he study for, II they're so
wealthy" Avis asked.
Hobby, / suppose" said Laura. "The
xpt, rc1ox,, knId ,,aa that the Tra1afe 11a va