Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-03-23


dress without having her hair carefully done,
and never when she looked tired. A color like
this needed spirit to 60 with it. The mirror
told her she looked haggard. "Older than
am" she thought defiantly 81 don't have
those waste spaces under my eyes ordinarily"
or course, she knew why they were there. II
she'd managed to get some sleep last night.
she wouldn't look such wreck or feel so dead
on her feet But on Tuesday night nobody had
wanted to go home from the Aldrichs' dance,
least Of all herself and she had counted on
making up her sleep last night. Then she
couldn't get to bed early after all, because
those cousins of Mixes came to CALL It was
the first time they'd seen the house, and by
the time they'd been all over it and had gone
home the evening had gone with them When
she finally did get to sleep, that unreasonable
storm had wakened her and everybody else
after couple of hours. Mike hadn't let it
disturb him much, but Kate had finally taken
Josie into her own bed, because the child
seemed so nervous Josie had fallen asleep
there, spread over most Of the narrow bed, and
Kate had do8ed uneasily on the edge beside
her.
They were calling her from the other room.
'Katel Come on. We're waiting for you.
Take cutl"
She went in an cut the king.
you and Ruth take Alec and me on" said
Mike.
Ruth was ahead. She nearly always was
ahead-in every way. She was sitting there
now, waiting for the next deal, without hair
out Of place, IN an evening dress that was
exactly right for the occasion and supple
mented by perfectly chosen jewelry and O
sparkling little evening bag which every one
had admired She was good for the night, and
Kate knew t. She knew, too, that In the
morning, If Ony one called the Warner house
and asked for Ruth, well trained maid would
say courteously, Mrs. Warner has not come
down yet. May take the message?"
The Warner children did not disturb their
mother. They disturbed q very competent
nurse who had been engaged with that UNDER
standing.
II hope won't drag you down Ruth" said
Kate.
At O'Clock Kate was still keeping her mind
on 1t. Or was 1t her mind? Her fingers any
way, which could stin cut and Shuf1e and deal,
and her eyes which could sort out SUITS and
some automatic thing in her which knew when
to bid and when to support and when to double.
She was playing rather more skillfully now,
but the cards were running the other way.
Alecs score was no longer disastrous, and he
was infinitely more CHEEKY. Celeste, his wife,
had wanted to go home half an hour ago. but
Alec couldn't stop just then. Celeste had
stopped playing cards. She was at the piano
now. Going over the same old things, thought
Kate. She always did that Chopin. Too bad
she didn't keep up her music, with q talent like
that. But probably she hadn't time. -.
Didn't you see my discard?" inquired Ruth
Another mistake, and another rubber lost.
well. We must 60 home" said Ruth.
where's Blake7 In the dining room? It must
be aWfully hate"
"oh, don't think So" said Kate automatic
cally.
It had been q DELIGHTFUL dinner and q won
derfCL evening. They'd had marvellous time
SO they al said, gathering up stray cumbrous
adjectives and offering them. But somehow, Is
Kate said good night TO them, they did not
look the way their adjectives sounded. They
looked exhausted. Blake yawned. Alec's face
sagged. Celeste's face was eolorless, except for
the unfading line Of her lips.
Good night" called Michael and Kate.
Good night"
The cars backed out Of the driveway, and
Kate began to clear up few more ash trays.
Cant you let that go until morning9"
Michael asked.
cit reeks 90 If you do''
"wen, guess IN 60 up" he said. '"This Is
pretty late for fellow who gets up in the
morning"
She wantad to remind him that he'd had
sleep last night, anyway. She wanted him to
appreciate how much more tired she was
than he possibly could be. But he had already
started up the stairs. On the first turn he
called down:
"Oh, Kate"
"Yes?" 1t would so rest her If he absolutely
insisted that she go to bed. 1t would lift her
burden Of fatigue.
"You know-n you had come back with
heart that time-you know the hand mean2"
mo-" she said, "and don't care, either"
"Oh, all right. I was just trying to explain
something. And then you wonder why you
lose"
LIE went ON up, aggrieyed. Kate proceeded
with hmr cleaning: Cards to be put back In
boxes, scores TO be thrown into the fire. rugs to