Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-06-15

to Van MurchlSon at mCerVale
7 during that day and the
~ next day. She began the
girls calendar: TITS only one
full day since saw hints only two
1ull days-it's only the morning Of the
third day"
And it began to seem like q dream,
Edith asked, delicately, lightly, II
there had been any friendly visiting
or telephoning.
And then, on Thursday night, ooh
yes. Van Murchison was in. 1t seems
Mrs. Chip is having q house party
down at their place in the Santa Cruz
Mountains a week from this week end
and she wants me to go!"
What" Edith calculated, tncredu-
lous.
"Oh. yes" Gail was trimming as
paragus. tying it in little faggots
"They have a big place down there
cabins, he said. and a swimming pool
We go down Friday and get back Sun
day afternoon"
"Oh, Gail, aren't you excited?"
Gail laughed little protestingly.
"Terribly excited! But, Of course, they
only want me because Van does" Gail
suggested suddenly sober. He prob
ably asked his aunt to ask me-"
"Oh. for heavens sake!" Ariel said
impatiently and Unexpectedly in hel
husky tones from her place in the
kitchen rocker, where she was sup.
poSedly studying Our Neighbors, the
Americas. What would you want
her to ask for-because mama was 9
church member? You know very wei
you're not an intimate friend of hers
why should she ask you'll"
Really. Ariel, you're terrible" Gal
said But she and Edith laughed Just
the same.
I'D much rather" Ariel NUT.
tered, returning to her book, I'D much
rather go a place because a boy wanted
me than because his mother did,
And laughing helplessly and little
shocked, Edith and Gail admitted thai
there was something in this view.
Did she come in, Gail, or did SHE
write a note?"
An instant's chill. Then Gail sale
casually, Neither, my dear. She SEM
o message by Van"
There was a silence. Edith stood dis
tressed and disappointed, In the center
Of the kitchen; Ariel looked up alertly
from her book. Gall went on busilJ
with her cooking.
We'll, she will write" began Edith
on an upward infection
She mayl" Gail agreed indifferently
We'll, you won't think of accepting
unless she does write, Gail?" Edith
persisted, unhappily. ~
II can't say that" Gail answered
airily, as have accepted already"
MY dear Edith" Gail interrupted in
a final big-sisterly tone, I'VE are living
in the twentieth century, not in the
good old days of Pamela and Evelina {"
Well, I'm very much surprised at
you'll" Edith said, trembling Dinner
was served in sulphurous silence.
Phil noted at once that something
was wrong and his first question
brought the whole thing down upon
him in an avalanche
Gail was flushed and angry, Edith
reasonable and cool. They talked at
once and Phil frowned family, smiled
family as he looked from one face TO
another.
Phil had championed Gail all her
life and she adored him as her unfail-
Ing authority. 1t was, therefore, like q
blow in her face to have him say ju-
dtcially over his pipe, I'm not so sure
but what Ede's right, Gail. You aren't
sure that Van Murcnison~he's an
awfully nice kid, and he's most anus
ing and all that, and he means we'll
enough-but you aren't sure that this
Kid ever spoke to his aunt at all. How
do you know"
"Oh, listen, listen" Gail said, man
aging a laugh, but seething with sup
pressed anger. He didn't ask me to
go to China! He asked me to go for two
nights to Los GatoS-and I'm going!
He came into the library and said that
his aunt was giving this house party
and would like to have me come, and
I said I'd be delighted and that's all
there Is to it!'
There was a full minute of dead 81
1ence, during which her angry voice
hung In the air. Then Ariel expelled a
long signing breath and Phil shrugged
philosophically.
You're Of age" he said briefly.
Phil went out without another glance
or words for his favorite sister. When
Gail and Ariel CHANGED to be for a
minute alone in the kitchen Ariel
seized the opportunity to say eagerly:
Stick 1t out, Gail! If every one felt
the way Edith does, no one would have
any fun at all! Wed all be old maids. -
Ariels sympathy was very sweet. But
it did not have the value of Ediths ap-
proval. On the contrary, there was
something disturbing in her suggestion
of general mutiny against the Law
renee way of doing things.
IT wouldn't do anything that was
wrong, baby"
LAS If I didn't know that, GailP'
Ariel heSitated. Its just that they
don't understand" she said.
1t was always a wretched state for
her, to be out of sympathy with Edith;
to Edith it was absolutely insufferable.
Before they had finished the dishes the
younger sister said suddenly and pain