Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-07-13

dry oranges Nine Daveau always succeeded in
obtaining. All through dinner they had waited
anxiously for the young couple to fill the two
stiff chairs empty on either side of Nine. Da-
veau But they had waited in vain.
'I suppose they consider themselves too fine
to eat with common folk" said Mrs Porter.
Naturally the prince and princess will not
favor us with their presence always" said Mime.
DaVeau. They are much sought after in the
world of fashion"
Miss Whiffen rose. Good night" she said
firmly. st shall not drink coffee this evening.
It keeps me awake" Miss Whiffen never drank
coffee. Coffee was extra.
How like her to spoil our four at bridget"
snapped Mrs. Porter.
Next morning Miss Whifen woke early, and
her eyes fell ON the square of sunlight on the
floor. Spring had come, and q thrill swept
through Miss Whiffen. That was the ridiculous
part about Spring; it stirred hopes that were
forever to be unfounded.
She got up and dressed swiftly Il would he
an hour before Jeanne arrived with the shabby
tray containing one croissant and the highly
inferior coffee Nine Daveau dealt out to her
pensionnaires. After she had dressed, Miss
Whiffen stepped to the window. The tiny gar
den lay below her, every leaf a metal shield
for the sunlight. 1t was wet still with dew,
and the pear tree looked like q bride in her
wedding dress, q shabby bride. to be sure. but
trembling and eager.
That's the great hoax about Spring."
thought Miss Whiffen. THAT trees us old a.
am, and look at It'll Silly foOl"
Then she saw the shutters open on the bal
cony across the way, and o girl stepped out
She had on some white flmy thing the breeze
caught up and fiuttered against the IRON rail-
ing Miss Whiffen stared. The girl Mfted UNI
her face. and the sunlight fan on t. How
young she was, really y0ungi Then o. manss
voice sounded from inside, and the girl laughed
A bird In the old pear tree sent up shri1 carol
in answer, and Miss WflifBen stepped back
from the window, closing it with O. smart bang
When Jeanne burst in with the breakfast
tray, she fOsmd Miss Whiffen at her desk play
ing solitaire.
But mademoiSelle is UP early" said Jeanne.
1.-THE light woke me-" Miss Whiffen replied.
"Ah, the sunshine" Jeanne smiled. what
a day it Isl Have you observed the pear tEeea
It has burst out all in one night"
eff that pear tree were to burst out any
further" remarked Miss Whiffen, 1T would
have at least seven blossoms on it."
"Oh, lal" said Jeanne, as she pumped down
the breakfast tray.
After the manner Of all I0nely wamen lRiss
Whiffen had learned how to parcel out her
day. She did, Of course, her own mending,
to prove it against her, she did also her own
and, though Nine. Daveau had never been able,
washing and ironing. After breakfast each
morning she maniCnrstF her large and hand
some nails, never, Of course, using any polish
on them. Then she read tine paper.
At ii O'Clock she ate o piece Of chocolate. and
at His she went cut Sometimes she had
q bit Of shopping to do. but more often she,
just strolled. Never did these walks fan 10
have for her o deselate beauty. Miss WhiRen
always gave a SOU to beggars, and very often,
at q charity hospital In the quarter, would
appear o mysterious GIFT OF flowers or plants.
Once cage of small singing birds arrived,
inscribed Pour les enfants."
MISS WRITTEN always Mnshed at Mime. Ia
Ava VeaTs and after lunch she took Q nap. She
never allowed herself to take cut her solitaire
deck until . e'cleek. At she brewed herself o
cup Of tea. This Mime. Daxeau had also never
been able 10 catch her doing. Then she washed
her solitary cup es exquisite Sevses, and hid IT,
along with the thin silver spoon, in her trunk
Frew Asa to she took another walk and