Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-09-21

half-dismantled interior Mrs. rockingham
came in She was slight and pretty. Her
dark eyes were quick with interest. Her hair
was snowy white. beautifully dressed. shes
adorable" thought Doll.
As she hesitated. Mrs. rockingham put her
at her ease 81 haven't much experience
with renting. I shouldn't have taken so many
Of my things out. There are three masters
bed rooms, If you care to see them. can't
use so large an apartment" Tragedy, half
invisible, crossed her face. Busy women
ought to live in hotels"
1T would" ventured Doll but I've got my
baby"
Really" Dark eyes frightened. How old
is she?"
Buds a boy. Hell be three next month"
Aren't they adorable at that age!" They
standing in a bed room door. On . little
table was a photograph of a baby trundling
his velocipede Hes my grandson-the young
est" Mrs. Frothinghams cheeks flushed Then
she returned to business. MY lease is up in
10 months. I'm paying $500 a year and all
I want is to get out without losing too much.
I'm asking $4,000"
you're putting the rest of your things in
storage?"
Mrs. rockingham was suddenly grave.
'Wel-Im willing to make what they call
business proposition. II you can use what's
left here, I'll throw them in with the lease
provided you pay me 1000 in advance. That's
what trades people call premium. isn't it?"
Her expression was curiously masked.
That would be worth WHILE admitted Doll
She had feeling of being in deep Shamed
by a sense Of betrayal Of worming into this fine
womans affairs, she wandered to the drawing
room. Mrs. rockingham. she felt, was lying
about something important.
My goodnessl" the lady cried, looking at
her watch Half past eleven, and Carol VAN
dermants coming to take me to that committee
meeting. You'll wait till I put my hat,
won't you?"
She gave Dolls knee a friendly pat and was
gone long enough to allow further considera-
ton Of the drawing room. On small taboret
lay a yellowish pamphlet. InstinctiveIy Doll
reached out for 1t. On the cover there as a
portrait Of Mrs. rockingham and underneath
it the announcement:
Meeting Place Club, october IL, Pm
Needlewomen's Guild Of America
presents
MRS. NATHAN FROTHINGHAM
subject:
KEEP THE CHILD AT HOME
Presiding.
Mrs. Theodore vandermont
And today's the eleventh." thought Doll,
dropping the pamphlet into her bag just as
Mrs. rockingham came back. They went
down in the elevator very fine car was
waiting at the curb. Behind the glass of the
tonneau Mrs. Theodore Vandermont showed her
cool beauty.
nOLL lunched with Bud as usual, but she
could not focus her eyes on her son. She
had feeling that the flnespun, high minded
MRS. rockingham must not be thrown unprO-
tected to professional detectives. Whatever she
had done, she wasn't guilty.
When it was nearly and she was about to
leave for Meeting Place Club messenger from
Cheever's appeared and handed her note. 1t
was from Hector: "Dearie, don't think III be
home tonight, Find that r. examined B. after
the pearl job. Team work. B. walked out with
the goods. Expect to land him before break .
fast. Don't worry-Hec"
The auditorium of Meeting Place Club was
filling. Doll bought seat sufficiently forward
to admire the famous Theodore Vandermont
fortune examplified in the faultlessly gowned
lady who introduced Mrs rockingham.
The gently patrician little lady, coming for
ward was pale, and stood an instant, hestant.
I'm going to tell you the only way can" she
began quietly, land I'm not going to give you
any figures. because ! haven't much Of men,
DRY for figures" Her memory was for pictures,
human pictures vividly sketched She hated
the sight Of children in dismal uniforms be-
tween dismal walls. She stood there telling
tale after tale of the children whom her work
had brought to better conditions OF life.
Then the speech was finished. She stood for