Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-09

at Marietta's gate house, was
walking up and down rest
H. lessly.
st wish was working for a
living the way you are she said as
Helen entered with nobody to tell
me what to do sometimes I feel as ii
I'd go crazy, pushing myself down out
of sight all the time and trying to turn
myself into something my people want
me to be. And I'm not. I never can be- y
Helen looked at her, surprised Doris
like many inarticulate people, once she
had opened her heart to some one, went
on reckleSSly. Her thin, pointed face
was tense with the excitement of ac-
tually talking things out.
IT know I have pretty clothes and
jewelry and expensive parties. But
they're not my clothes or my jewelry or
my parties. Everything is picked out
for me by Aunt Louisa. And If l ask
father for little freedom he just says,
You're too young to know what you
want Oh, Helen, some day 1 think
I'll go crazy or run away!"
But why do you stand for it?" Helen
asked curiously. Her own life had been
so different. She would so have liked
to have people care enough to dictate,
even, she thought sometimes.
Doris pallor changed to hot, pain
ftll flush.
I'm a coward. That's why. I've
thought of going of and getting a job
q hundred times. But I'm just plain
scared You know, don't have any all
lowance, only things bought for me.
Aunt Lou has told me what to do since
I was a baby. And it's sort of like hav-
ing grown up with handouts on. When
she says things, just have to obey"
Helen looked at her pityingly 1t
must be dreadful to be chained like
that. Doris aunt. stiff. old-faShioned
woman that she was, with her air OF
rigid certainty, ruled her brother. and
through him. Doris. Doris mothers
elopement, of course. They kept the
stable door locked on Doris.
But 1 haven't told you yet what
want" Doris said, quieting down
little and standing still, tremulous
young figure, extinguished instead of
enhanced by the heavily embroidered
white silk sport suit she wore. Il came
td ask you if you'd come over tonight
and help us cut and title the Gay
Young OySterman."
Helen stared at Doris in surprise Tor
q moment. Didn't Doris have any
sympathy for Helen, after pouring out
her own troubles to Helen in a GER
tainty of sympathy? And then, see
ing the girls childish sad little face,
she realized that Doris was not, as yet,
old or wise enough in her feelings.
whatever she might be by reason OF
age. to reach outside herself and be
sorry for other people. She felt older
and wiser than Doris suddenly and very
plying.
I'D love to come" she said.
."Oh, thank you, Helen. Becky Pur-
don said you wouldn't want to. but I
told her I knew better. told her
you were just as gay and happy as
e9er. and delighted you weren't going
TO have to marry Tommy!"
$50 1 ami" Helen said truthfully. =.
''Then you think you'll write and
tell Alien"
mo. nor Bill" said Helen tessingly.
''You're so in love yourself, Dorrie, you
can't imagine anybody being comforta,,
BILE without wanting to get married
and '&'e happily ever after"
"Then you're really over Tommy"
Doris persisted, wide-eyed, peering over
her fur neckpiece.
"Really-over-Tom said Helen,
spacing the words emphatically :.
Like a child's book she had read and
loved long ago. Like game she had
liked to play when she was a very
little girl Far off-dimmed-only a
remembrance that Tommy had had
charm.
she laughed a little and put her
arm around DOTS as II she were IlcI
own little sister in Baltimore.
Tommy could charm your eye
lashes of, but I'm over the hypnotism.
she said. "I1l love to see the old
crowd and 1 have some grand ideas
about titling."
A great happiness and relief swept
over her. Relief and self-respect and
happiness. Why, she didn't! She was
telling the truth! Tommy-wildly gay,
horribly depressed Tommy-Tommy.
With his quick unreaSonableness and
wild words of worship-Tommy, and
adl Tommy stood for, suddenly showed
themselves for what they were. Won
derful but dim, somehow. Far off.
something that didn't really matter,
now. She took long happy breath.
She was freei All the values changed.
She laughed a little. putting her arm
around Doris. II don't bit" she re-
heated.
s"You always have wonderful ideas, /"
repeated adoring Doris. I'm so glad
you're coming"
where's she coming TOP" demanded
Patricia, appearing from nowhere
swift and assured in her brief straight
sfnock and knickers, leaping at Helen
and twining, not only her arms, but he1
sim brown legs around her.
Here, I'm not a tree said Helen
bending down to kiss the child as she
detached her. I'm going to Miss Mil
llzen's house tonight to title picture
And I'll tell you at length what titling
picture is. but not now"