Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-10-22

N YEILS long, cream colored car
nj came to stop before the
1 Y READY" he called to Cath
leen. Let's get out Of this heat
before I start bubbling. Whsw! If 1t
weren't for you, Kit, I'd go to tt:.c family
igloo at Rockaway and stay there till
the frost bit me-"
They sped down the street and turned
Il don't think I'd care for the
tropics Cathleen said, pushing her
damp hair back from her forehead.
Gosh, Kit" Neil said, with one eye
on her and the other on the street,
your hair is all in ringletS around the
edges. Why don't you wear 1t that way
all the time? It's darn beccmingl"
Cathleen laughed and roughed up her
hair. Compliments from Neil were rare.
He was not the type to make them
easily.
Were to meet Freddie Gleason and
his girl at Stag Island Inn" he said.
I'D have parked them in the rumble,
only there's something I want to say to
YOU
Cathleen looked at him from under
her lashes. His voice-there was q
quality in il that made her know what
it was he had to say. Oh, he must not
say it! Not tonight. She wasn't ready.
If he'd only wait, just little while
long enough for her to md herself. To
be sure.
Who's the girl with Freddie?" she
asked. more to change the trend Of his
thoughts than because she wished to
know.
IT don't know her. She's new enc.
Freddie says she's dynamite
Central Park was cooler. And green.
AS If it had been freshly washed down
with a gigantic hose.
You haven't asked me about that
water-wagon proposition you wished on
me, Kit Neil reminded her as they
hummed along the winding drives.
II am waiting for you to tell me-"
Cathleen said.
We'll 1 got front seat. Only shook.
loose once, and that was the night after
you advised the trip. It's been pretty
tough going. Especially when I can't
see how getting off the old bus occa-
sionally and g1ing in for q little light
refreshment can do me any harm"
You can't take 1t lightly"
Neil did not dispute the point. In
stead, he dropped the subject until
they were out on the open road in
Westchester. Then he slowed the car to a
comfortable roll and turned to her with
eagerness in his eyes and voice.
kit" he said, at could take it lightly.
1t would be easy-if I had q reason. A
real reason, mean. I'm a loafer. I
can't pin myself down TO anything.
Everything has always been handed to
me. Dads that way. He can't forget
the knocks he took when he was max
ing his way I'm not blaming dad, mind
you. He's the salt of the earth. But ]
know I ought to cut loose and dig into
a man-size job I will, Kit-if you'll
marry me and help me-"
Cathleen kept her eyes on the road
searching, searching for an answer.
After while she said softly:
Don't you think the man-size thing
to do is to dig into the Job first, then
think of marriage?"
The car shot forward.
No" Neil said, and now he was like
a peevish little boy, denied what he
wanted. mo. can't do 1t. Maybe
I'm weak. Maybe having my own way
has softened me-"
The very fact that you realize your
weakness proves you can overcome IT,"
said Cathleen.
mo, it doesn't Kitl' he said impul-
sively, and veered the car to the side
of the road, jamming on the brakes and
seizing her hand. Kit, marry me, and
let's try to make go Of It,"
His arm was around her shoulders,
MS tanned lace close TO ner cheek, MS
lips almost touching her own. Her
heart was pounding. Why not yield to
this clamor within her. Neil loved her.
They could go rolling riotously through
life together unless
She threw out her arms like O. drown
ing person come to the surface. For
the briefest period she felt an impulse
to jump from the car and run blindly
down the road.
"Neil!' she cried. "iSo! I can't an
swer you now. I don't know"
He caught her shoulder, gripping it
hard.
"Why?" he blazad. why can't you
answer me now? Is it that sickly
mollycoddle, Hall? Is tt?"
NO" she said. Her voice was cool
and firm now 1T isn't Ken. 1t isn't
any one. except myself I've just begun
to know myself. When know myself
better I'll be in position to answer
YOU
Neil kicked the starter and began
racing the engine. The car leaped to
the road
Then we'll call this little trip on the
waterwagon off until you make up your
mind he said
1t sounded like threat. He was as |
weak as that. And she had been almost |
as weak.
Freddie Gleason had found table