Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-01-26


learned on the stage. MY dear, who is that
odd-looking creature coming up the driver"
looked out and saw through the shrubbery
thick-set, toiling woman in white blouse
ana an orange felt hat We watched her in
silence. Her shoes hurt" Phyllis said
yaWnlng, having already dismissed her. The
woman was, indeed, hmping, her face screwed
tight with pain; she was wearing high-heeled
champagne" pumps, with involved and extra
ordinary straps and buckles. These shoes
dragged terribly up the long drive up the
long flight Of steps to Phyllis terrace. The
woman held against the sun rose-silk para
sol and carried black leather satchel Before
she rang the bell she set this satchel down
upon the terrace and deliberately becalmed
her wet and agonized face, dabbing at it with
soiled cotton handkerchief The blue day
waved about her, beat in at her; the glittering
sunshine stabbed like million needles
Phyllis" said, that's some one we used to
go to school with"
Phyllis protested drowsily. Don't tell me
we ever went to school with woman as old
thatI"
I'm sorry, but we did, my dear.
THAT'S Maudie Turner, as sure as you're sitting
there. With something to SELL"
Phyllis laughed. "Of course Maudie
Turnerl She used to peddle those greasy cos
metics. Good Lord!"
The bell on Phyllis front door rang. (."rhe
maid Is probably asleep" Phyllis murmured.
amuseS Phyllis when she returns to lis from
the East, gives her quiet satisfaction. TITS
SO Southern" she says with her
laugh0 Phyllis settled back against the cush-
Ions. Go and buy something from her for
the COOK, darling-please. She used to be a
sort OF friend OF yours, was she not?"
I went through the French windows into
PhyIns drawing room, across the hall to the
'front.' door. When opened the door Thought
1or an instant Maudie had gone; and then
saw that she had slumped down in one Of
the chairs on the terrace Also I saw with
compassion, that she had taken OF her
aDominable pumps. 81 thought
no one was at home These SHOES
Maudie, without looking up indicated the
pumps with her old out-thrown gesture. Then
rom the white folds Of her cheeks, her little
solemn eyes looked up at me. For an instant
thought Maudie was going to kiss me- "Ohl"
she SAID, IN her old lovely voice. "I
/ didn't know you were back. Don't you re-
member me? I'm Maudie Turner"
Why, OF course remember you, Maudie"
She sat there in her stocking-feet and
Diusned, the old black embarrassed stain.
she sat there and wriggled her toes. Her
feet were curiously mishapen. There was a
gasping. hole in the heel Of one stocking: and
Mauoie, seeing my eyes upon It. stuck her
feet under her chair. at walked right throuOI
It this morning" she explained Seems lie
you can't get decent stockings these davs for
love or money. And you see" She began
70 g1ggle. and the color deepened, disappeared
under her collar. Tim sort of saving I'm
right now. my, myl" Maudie flung out
her arms. TITS hot today. You could fry
eggs in that sun out there"
sat down in the other wicker chair "I
was just thinking how pretty your blouse Is.
Maud1e," said. Its the most elaborate one
I've ever seen"
Maudie looked pleased. She plucked and
pulled at the blouse with her slow. heavy
fingers. TITS Filipino waist" she explained
The Philippines embroidered It, You see
got 1t with coupons selling my stun. IT'S
sort OF getting old now, Of course, and don't
trust 1t to suds any more. It's Just back from
the cleaners. They charge two dollars, but
it's worth It,"
We'll. what are you selling now, Maudie2"
] asked
Maudie laughed and threw out her arms.
The same old seventy-Six" she replied. stoon-
ing over the straps Of her satchel ''I thought
when ! heard she was back"-Maudie nodded
toward Phyllis impeccable, solid old doorway
/ thought she might like to see me-"
out came the old brazen placard out came
the salves and the creams, the pomades and
rouges and lip sticks. eye godsl was think
ing. Is 1t possible used to smear that on
our faces?")
I selected some powder and sachet for
PHYLLIS cook. Maudie's voice was singsongv
the warm air languid with June Had
I been asleep? For suddenly / realized that
some quality in Maudie had changed. She was
vibrant, excited II just have to tell YOU.
You see, you do you remem-
Der the prophecy you wrote about me in
school9" A little gold tube with a crimson tin
rolled out of her lap fell to the bricks a
talcum-powder box sprayed over her knees.
"Say"-the old voice again-"oh, say, now-of
course you remember. Think hardI lit
made lot Of difference to me, all through the
wears" "