Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-03-16

liams stood with his back to her, beside divsn.
His companion, seated on a divan, was par
TALLY hidden from her by Williams, who bent
over him. She could see long legs in sharp
creased black trousers and knees upon which
was balanced the fooled leather photograph
portfolio from the table, open wide. AS she
approached, one of the strangers hands held
out one of the photographs at arms length.
She noted, feeling vaguely reminded of some
thing that the sleeve Of his coat was snort,
showing an extra inch so of wrist.
She said, above the music, Good evening,
gentlemen"
Williams Strengthened and wheeled, crying
boisterously, "Hul-lo, MontyT How's the girl?
Here" he said shake hands with friend
of mine Mr.. Miller From Canada. Rog, this
is the famous Mrs. Montgomery
Monty-Tve told you about"
He stopped speaking. The photograph with
a crash discordant chord stopped 'playingl and
after that it was quiet werdly quiet in the
room.
Jenny Miller stared at her son. From the
divan-he had not risen-Roger stared back
His eyes were wide, increduous horrifed, fear
full Fearful above all else. He thinks"
thought Jenny Miller, 81 will give him away"
With a small still piece of her whirling, Scream
ing mind. she thought this.
She shook her head ever so lightly. How
do you do?" she said, "Mr-Miller." And
she made her mouth smile.
Above the smile her eyes spoke anguished-
clear his had spoken. "Actl" they besought
him. Help me-"
Another atom of thought emerged distinct in
her mind. She turned quickly "Wallacel
Oh Wallace" And when the man presented
himself she said, Don't let any one else in
A-private party
"Finel" cried williams "Say, that's awfully
sweet of you, Montyl And on Saturday night,
tool" He beamed at her. If he had for an
instant sensed anything amiss, her manner had
quite treasured him. Great girl" he said
Treats her old friends right-don't you,
Monty?"
He turned to the tray on which bottles and
glasses stood. Straight" he asked her.
Please" she said.
She needed it. She sat down on the divan
beside Roger, striving not to let herself notice
how instinctively he edged away. She thought,
''What shall say? What would say if he
were-anybody?" Her brain fumbled for
words, light words and casual.
"You-youre from CANADA" she said, not
looking at him. That was safe. Williams had
mentioned that
1t was williams who answered her. yeah,
Canada" he nodded pouring rye. II met him
when I was up there at Christmas We had
some gorgeous benders together too-eh,
Rog?" Carrying the little glass of brown liquid,
he approached the divan by the way!" he
chuckled. Hes on a train coming down from
Canada right this minute If you did but know
It'll Here you are, Monty"
She took the glass Her fingers carefully
steady.
How do you mean?" she lightly said.
well, you see," explained Williams, grinning
at Roger, his mother lives here in New York,
and he's going to spend his Spring vacation
with her. You know how that is of coursel
No change for any excitement anything. So
he told her he couldn't get here till tomorrow
and wired me to meet him at today. He's
got this one night to celebrate-and he's
rarin' to go. En- Rog?"
Roger beside her made an unintelligible sound
In his throat.
Speak upl" commanded williams, hugely
amused. Whats the matter-cat got your
tongue?" He winked at Jenny Miller roguishly.
Boys a little shy" he informed her, lust at
first But great fellow And it's up to US
to give him a big evening"
Jenny Miller swallowed her drink.
WILLIAMS sat down, squeezing himself be-
tween them. He set his own glass on the
floor and transferred the photograph folder
from Rogers knees to his own. Now" he said,
"let's get this party started"
mol" cried Jenny Miller suddenly, shriIly.
mo"
She got TO her feet. Faced them. Stood
facing them, burning-eyed, the fingers Of her
two hands locking and unlocking before her.
She could feel how pale she was She moistened
her lips. mo-" she said again. Il there
isn't going to be any party. Not here.
You'd better co." she added family.
what the" Williams bewildered. Whats
wrong, Monty?"
Nothing" she said. Nothing I-c can't
that's ALL"
Abruptly her voice scared, vehement, loud
cts all wrong. And I'm through with it. I'm
through, do you hear? I'm giving up this place.
] always hated it-hated everything about It,"
She was looking at Williams pleading with
Roger. Groveling mentally at Rogers feet. II
mean it, she said pitifully. Never any more.
Never. I swear it. I'll scrub floors first,