Evening star., 1930-12-01
The Secret of
MARGARET YORKE
By Kathleen Norris

st am wondering" said Shirley, "if
can't help you. Stan. I'm older than
Miss Yorke, and think she likes me.
don't think anything in the world would
make me so happy now. as to feel that
your happiness was safe. Some time,
when it's just the family going to the
farm, persuade Mrs. Cutting to let me
come, and Ill see how the land lies!"
My dear, there is nothing doing
there!" Stanley said, laughing. Il don't
know which was the most surprised at
my making a pass at her-she or my
self! Since then she hasn't said word
to me. She's strange girl-mysterious,
somehow"
HAS she ever been married, Stan?"
Shirley asked, presently.
why, 1 don't think sol" he answered,
looking up in a little surprise and dis
taste.
shes exactly the type to be support
ing ood-for-nothing man soma-
where" Shirley said shrewdly.
II don't believe it," Stanley said
firmly.
well, it doesn't matter!' Shirley
laughed Because / am going to be
your little fairy godmother and dance
at your wedding. Shall you like me for
a fairy godmother. Stan?"
II think will" he said a little
grutny, smiling.
Shirley's brown eyes, fixed upon his,
filled slowly with tears. She was still
smiling, and the dazzle of her childish
gaze through the shower was strangely
appealing and pitiful.
Thanks, Tanny!" she said softly, her
lips trembling. He remembered that she
had called him Tanny years before, when
he had hoped to make her his wife.
Il shall feel so differently after
awhile, Stan. But just now it's horrid.
After october 12-oh, blessed day!-
bald, after four years! That's over. I
Wish,'' she added frankly, that I
didn't have to touch his money! I only
asked two thousand a month, you
know; that's less than a fifth of what
we used to spend. But even that" said
Shirley, smiling, hurts mel"
Il wish yon needn't" Stanley con-
CURED, briefly.
But where would my poor little hun
dred be, all by their little selves?" the
women asked whimsically I've come
you can only do that by forcing your
self down peoples throats. knew that
If took this place and brought my
car and my maids they'd all take me
much more SeriouSly-and they have.
The least-the least that Cuyler Theo-
bald can. do for me is give me a fresh
startl Don't you think so, Stan?
She was very feminine, very soft and
appealing and young under the mellow
lamplight, and Stanley, watching her
smilingly, found it hard to judge her
dispassionately.
The half hour after 10 struck. Stan
ley rose. He had to go, he said, in
stinctively sitting an impulse to add
that it was to the ranch.
Don't forget" she said, coming close
to him for farewells and laying her
white little hand against his coat lapel,
don't forget that I'm to be asked down
to Uplands one of these daysl"
"Ycu know you're in Aunt Hats
black books, Shirley"
'Yes, but aren't you master there?"
she asked, saucily. 1T seems to me
would be, in your placel"
"Oh, you would, would you? You
could run the whole place with one
finger, couldn't you?" Stan asked, look
ing down at the fluffy golden head.
And you included" she answered,
lashes. Don't forget-when you're
married to your quiet, dignified, COOL
blooded Margaret" she added, naugh-
tily, that bad little loving Shirley is
your fairy godmotheri Kiss me, Stan!"
why not?" he said laughing. He
put his arm about her and she quite
readily raised her soft, childish little
mouth.
Ten minutes later the roadster was
flying down the empty road, in cold,
clear Autumn moonlight, toward the
ranch The dark orchards rushed by
him. the crossroads glinmered whitley
across them, at sharp angles. Stanley
drew great breaths Of the soft, cool
air, shaking his head now and then
with the gesture Of dog shaking of
water.
"Whew-w!" he said more than once
aloud. IT wonder why let myself in
for that? Whew-w"
Continued in Tomorrows Starr