The Washington times., 1930-08-12

rs there anyone elSe?" Mr..
Farnsworth had asked, and
when she hadn't understood
just what he meant at first he
had added. Anyone you care
for? Anyone who loves you?
Don't be afraid to tell me. my
dear. It would be only natu-
raj"
mo, there is no one else"
she had answered, honestly
Frank Fails Her
There wasn't Once she
might have thought Of Frank
Prout. Everybody teased her
about Frank, and once 1t had
seemed that they might
get married some day. But
somehow she hadn't felt that
way toward Frank for a long
time and Frank Frank
hadn't been very kind in the
long weeks that Ela was sick.
He had failed her. Not under
standing, not caring
never once asking at the hes
pital. No. there wasn't
anybody nobody at all.
It would probably be all
right to marry Mr.. Farnsworth.
Fifty-eight wasn't so old. The
people in the office didn't
think he was too old to marry.
Marsha Darrow didn't.
.Cathie smiled little in the
dark, thinking how mad Miss
Darrow would be. Miss OAR
row with her hundred-and-
twenty-dollar suits, and her
permanent, waves, and her
manicures. Miss Darrow
wanted too. much. Mr..
Farnsworth. and the other one
-. Gordon Moore.
Cathie's weak. little smile
faded. Gordon Moore
Her mind went back to
that April day when she went
celebrating with him
with a Gordon Moore in gray
suit and a tie that was sort
of heather color. And the
thought came to her that it
would be worn out now. thrown
away. probobly Somehow
the tears sprang to her eyes
when she thought Of that 3.
of that heathery gray suit,
hanging up in a Salvation
Army storeroom maybe
ready to be given to some
tramp If it only could
have been he, instead of Mr..
FarnSworth.
For a long time she lay mo,
tionlesS. She wasn't crying,
but the tears ooZed through
her tight-shut eyes, soaking the
pillow.
Silly, silly dreams.
What a. fool she'd been to
ever think of him yes.
and what a feol she'd be to
let a schoolgirl crush haunt her
whole life. i. =.
Besides this was. no time for
dreams. Not with Eddie writ
ing from South America, say
ing he could get into some
thing good down there if he
had enough capital to buy into
a business. and Jean growing
out Of all her clothes, and Ruth
ranting about night school and
locking like a little old lady
already, with the worry lines
around her mouth, and her
strained eyes
Cathie got up and washed
her face, letting the cold water
run over it, soothingly, refresh
ingly.
Ma and Ruth were still sitting
over the teacupS at the kitchen
table when she came in, blink
ing a little in the light.
There! The rest did you
good!" Ma exclaimed happily.
noting that Cathie had brushed
her bright hair until it crinkled
all over her head in glittering,
glorious masses of light. and that
her eyes, though shadowed. were
once more tranquil and clear.
Yes, the headaches gone,"
Cathie said, and sat down at her
place, to take the cup of tea that
ma was already pouring,
In the morning she went
straight to Mr.. Farnsworth'S
office.
Deeply Moved
He was deeply moved. He took
the neat white handkerchief out
of his pocket and wiped his
glasses. God knows I shall try
to make you happy" he said.
And if you ever come to regret
it 1 shall not hold you."
For a minute she thought he
was going to kiss her, and her
whole body stiffened. But ne
didn't kiss her. He just reached
out his hand. She did not re-
member ever having touched
him before. His hand was warm
and dry and hard. She found
herself squeezing it. taking com
fort in its strength and gentle
ness.
"When-do you want to be
married?" she asked, evenly.
II don't know why there
should be any delay. Next week
or the week after?"