Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-01
INSTALLMENT VIII.

TIME last party had been given, and
the suit case unstrapped to tuck
in the unexpected last set OF
luncheon linen. Matte. the
housemaid, neutral and smiling,
had actually come out OF her armor OF
the perfect servant to cry little. say
ing good-by to Helen, and taking
Helen's gift of an extra tablecloth.
Matte was getting married, too. after
the holidays. But not to Tommy!
Only to a young man, as neutral and
guarded as herself, with a ready, pro-
fessional grocerS smile, who worked in
Q chain store.
And Nina driving around Eu-
rope on Ethan Kingsway's trail :.
Helen felt a secret pity for Nina and
Ethan, with their cool, Secretive ro-
nance. She and Tommy weren't like
that, Tommy, passionate, impulse
driven, gay, catching her up and carry
ing her along with his gust of young
love, whether or mol Helen, her trunks
at the station, her suit cases stacked on
the porch, her travelling clothes on, felt
q tide of warm excitement flooding her
at the thought of 1t. Tacy'S plodding
footsteps as she made the rounds of the
kitchen for laSt-minute inspection made
her feel quick pang Of sorrow for her.
Poor middle-aged staid Tacy, who was
grateful to life for such poor things as
Il brought her!
She had said:
Nov, amt 1t splendid, Helen? Those
six months before Mrs. Higginson gifts
back will just make me a nice spell
with my sister-in-law, and yit before we
git to rubin each other the wrong
way I'll be back here again. There's
nothin' like change and excitement"
She had planned little outings and fes-
tivities with her Sister-in-law, as drab
and middle-aged as herself; planning
70 smarter her house for her, to give
her taste Of such glitter as had been
practtced in Nina's kitchen With her
usually quick emotions, even more STIR
red than usual by the happiness SO close
20 her, Helen's eyes stung with tears for
Tacy; SO pitifully content with such
life.
Tacy," she called on a sudden i'm
pulse, running back to the kitchen.
want to give you something to re-
member me by. This ring with the
tourmaline that you always liked so.
want you to have it to wear"
1ommys r1ng-Tommy,S two rings
would be on her finger soon. She must
snare her happiness a little.
Why, Helen. you mustn't" Tacy
protested conscientiously, but after
more gay urging on Helen's part she
TOOK 1t, nearly crying herself II
dunno how to thank you. IT'S a ham,
some ring" she said, sliding 1t on her
work-marked hand and holding it up
proudly. ~
I'm have more" Helen said, flush
ing and laughing.
Well, ! guess you WILL" said Tacy,
laughing, too. AN you deserve It.
Helen. Only you just keep firm hand
on Tommy Delamater Some men
don't ever grow up-I dunno but most
don't"
II like them that way" Helen said
breathleSsly. She went back to the
porch. The house, shrouded, empty,
Jared little on her height of excite
ment. A day and part of another one
and then Tommy And this height
OF happiness and warm joy for always
after that. She bent to flick a bit of
dust from her smart new dark-blue
pumps, extravagantly matching her
blue suit, glanced at her reflection in
the glass door. Yes, Tommy would be
proud Of her-everything perfect and
smart and becoming.
I'm going now" Tacy said, coming
out and locking the door behind her,
after she had set down with painting
breath her own two bullying, shabby
suit cases. '"Takin' the Darby trolley
it's nearer to Irenes than by bus.
An wish you all happiness"
They kissed each other, Tacy was