Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-07-21


breast and begin absently twisting the buttons
on his coat. She worked those buttons just
like a cashier does the knobs Of his vault, and
soon daddy would smile and say. How much
darling?"
But she grew up into an exquisitely beauti-
full young woman-the adjective cost Mr..
Dixon, the aforesaid pater. $i.0O0 q year, the
adverb half as much. And nature had already
done more than its share.
THERE were many young men. however, who
l. were not only willing. but franticaliy eager
to take this seeming liability of the hands Of
f1er indugent parents. Not Q month passed
but that some Lothario enticed Arabella to a
quiet nook, exposed q ring and pleadingly said,
How about 1t, sugar?" But Arabeua always
told them to save the sugar for then coffee.
Then when Arabella was 21-aS beautiful as
possible and as expensive as ever-her father
who owned department store, employed an
inventory expert t. come from Chicago to go
over his stock The proprietor invited the
young man to dinner one evening. and he gave
Arabella long. cool and thorough hook that
seemed to imply the stock was o. X. meritor-
ious. modern attractive-but of course, he
wondered as to the price.
AS for Arabella. between the salad and des-
Sert something beneath her blouse slipped, and
1t wasn't shoulder strap. It was her heart.
and it left playing joyful paean.
Mr. Hawkins-CheSter was his first name
had close-cropped. curly brown hair, honest
gray eyes. firm lips. determined chin, a fine
physique and undoubtedly q good future He
had always supposed he possessed 0 heart. too,
but now he suddenly realized Cupid had 1t ii.
escrow with he fervently hoped, an0ther-the
joint release pending certain amicable arrange
ments.
These amicsble arrangements. alas, were not
made two weeks later just prior TO his departure
for Chicago. The inventory expert. during his
career, had Often discovered shOddy goods IL
pretty boxes; and now he was reluctantly per-
Suaded to believe that Arabelias exterior was
a great deal more intriguing than her interior.
He was. in fact, sadly disappointed I'm the blue
eyed graceful gorgeous. glorious Arabella
Dixon.
Dear" he said that light night, holding her
slim white hand in his, evading taae gaze OF her
warm, eager eyes, 1T kills me to say It. but
I am forced to think that yea, while both Love-
ly and lovable are really selflsh and thought
less little creature. am coefdently told you
take what is offered you. never thinking of the
work and time and maybe sacrifice that is back
OF the gift; that you probably never consider
the cost Of food. clothes. o home, q car and
amusements. You really should learn to work,
to economic, to save to budget. to plan. This,
incidentally" he concluded diSmally, lis the
account"
An inventory expert. I deduce," said Ara
bella hunbly. should have . wife that is eco
nomical, unselfish. dilgent aaA visionary"
Precisely" affirmed Mr. Hawkins And"
he flushed, Especially yoang inventory ex-
pert His superiers are watching him; his Sc
lection OF wife is straw that shows the di-
rection of his financial wind"
Il stand convicted" murmured Arabella
sadly, although she was sitting close, and very
close at that, to Mr.. Hawkins. She gased. as
her companion remained silent and embarrassed.
on through the clambering hOneysuckle vines To
the moon that hung in the purple sky few
inches above the steeple Of the Methodist
Church-but Arabella did not see the vines
or the moon or the steepie; for Arabella was
getting Pm idea.
"'CTlLL. Chester" she remarked, turning a
~ bit more cheerfully to him, you hate to
leave Fairview, don't your"
Indeed dol he admitted "This is a fine
little city. The fact is, your father is such a
booster purchased q lot ut the corner of Main
street and Broadway. 1t Is O splendid one. but
the taxes are exceedingly high; IL they were
higher could not have afforded to buy it,
Also, incidentally. hear this town badly
needs some childrehs Fairgrounds, bat that the
city commissioners won't or can't find means
to provide them. Otherwise, Fairview is ysry
progressive"
Thanks, Chester" said Fsaview's fairest ma
tive. arising and smoothing her hair-Chester
had kissed her considerably during the first
part of the conversation-"Well.I guess it's
my bedtime I'm afraid don't fully appreciate
my bed. she added bitterly. 9TH hook up the
prices Of mattresses tomorrow and think how
hard the boil weevilS have to work and sacri-
fee to make 1t possible for me to slumher in
peace"
At that despite Arsbella's miscegenation Of