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


it, without you II don't suppose you've
heard Of course, but people here in
westgate know" Maudie's voice thickened,
and the old black stain crept out on her cheeks.
stared at her. And Maud1e stared at me,
a little wonderingly, If belonged far back
in her far-away childhood. I sat down on
the sofa and Maudie slumped into one of
the chairs.
1T seems so kind of funny, doesn't ftp
Adam and Vera getting married. Why, Adam
helped me to raise her. Many's the time he
used to play with Vera down there on the
floor. Sometimes used to pretend that Adam
and me were married and she was our child.
Vera was just SIX you know, when I took
charge of her."
I wanted to laugh. Maudie looked so
wretched and so amazed. And yet there was
that something in her voice.
She continued IT wanted to tell you so
you'd understand Everybody knows about
Vera out here in Westgate They they've
been horrid about it. And l. when I learned
about Vera I said I'd make him marry her,
whoever he was. What else could I do? And
that night, that very night, they told me,
Adam and Vera. / didn't dream it was Adam
I maybe made mistake putting Adam .
of like that-it amt right to keep a man
waiting
Suddenly, as we sat there with Maudie
twisting her handkerchief and smiling, UNI
derstood, understood the pride, the hint of
triumph in her voice. She had for nine long
years, been both loved and desired; and now
through her pain she was clinging to this; at
least she had this to remember. She was
holding Adams love for her aloft like ham
ner. In her heart she made herself think of
Adam as tragic, tortured with love- And now
pushed to the wall "Of course, there was
nothing else for poor Adam to do"
I remained for the wedding, and the people
who lived next door came in Vera and Adam
were married by the minister of the First
Baptist Church of Westgate. Just before the
minister came adam, it seemed, was going
to take Vera away for week or SOD Adam
sneaked into the bedroom where we were
waiting with Vera He carried a yellow-straw
suit case; end Vera out of cold -dimmed
eyes looked at the thing. The girl had few
dramatic gestures, and she used them now.
what is that, please?" she asked him YEARLY,
and with scorn. remember how Adam
cringed, his haggard face seeking the floor.
They're they're my Clothes" Adam said
There was the sleeve of a shirt or something
hanging out which Maudie hurriedly stuffed
inside
Grief, disillusion is a duh thing, tiresome
thing. an unlovely thing
After the very brief ceremony Maudie with
sick look, went out TO the little kitchen and
took an aspirin tablet. Then she brought out
from somewhere gallant little whiite-en-
crusted cake, and made some coffee. The cake,
once you bit into it, was stale, abominable;
and Vera choked over it.
"Vera, Vera honey" Maudie said stoop-
ing to pick up the crumbs from the floor She
had 70 hold on to the table 10 keep herself
from falling, and from where stood above
her saw that the top Of her head was white.
HIS Of course should be the end Of Maudie's
story, for should like to remember
Maudie as she looked the day Vera married:
her eyes stricken and yet with something like
pride in her voice. But our paths were to
cross yet again. (And they may cross again
and again and again for all knowD
was walking down State street not long
ago when noticed woman standing In front
Of q shop-window looking at baby clothes. That
woman was Maudie Turner. She stood, pen
sively, placidly, eating caramels from a brown
paper bag. She was fatter, grayer, frowxer
than ever. But she still chung to her Filipino
waist. incredibly mended; and she carried q
black leather satchel.
why, Maudie," cried
Maudie turned and looked at me- and her
face twitched as If she were going to cry But
instead she offered me caramel. "Maudie,"
suggested, lets go in here, and have a cup
of tea for old times sake"
We went into little shop and sought a Ia
BILE far In the rear, leading the way. Behind
me Maudie walked heavily, her thick, black,
spread-out shoes creaking. 81 can't be gone
very long," Maudie said. THE baby1l be
waking"
The babyI Veras babyP looked the
question.
Eyes, we had the baby" Maudie said She
spoke in fat heavy voice.
"A boy or a grip" inquired. Perhaps, I
thought little boy
IT'S girl" Maudie said Gust like Vera
A colored woman comes in and stays with the
baby while I'm out taking orders. Vera,
you see, Vera died i. when the baby came
She lived just three days" =
Maudie sat and slipped at her tea and looked