Evening star., 1931-05-17

"I'u bet you were" said Patrick. There was
just the right degree OF admiration in his eye.
The follow Strengthened involuntarily. well.
maybe I was" he conceded. I'm Jim Purdy."
He spoke If that explained a great deal.
Jim Purdy," said Patrick. care If chase
along behind you and see how much water you
put on these posies?"
Sure thing" said Purdy.
Patrick followed Jim Purdy twice the length
Of the row. Then he started his own machine,
took his own watering can-and ran. II feel
like q ship on an ocean OF joy =" he sang
Jim Purdy nodded toward his neighbor on the
other side. The boys got spunk" he said
DATRICK CANON would not have been sing
ing that morning il it had not been for
Stacia WilIoughby. But then, of course, he
would not have been there at all IL it hadn't
been for Stacia.
Patrick had seen Stacia the night before for
the first time, and ever since the world had
been all rose and gold; rose like the color In
Stacia's cheeks gold like her golden hair.
Stacia Wrloughby was a slim, bright sprite
of thing, with arrogant little firt Of q
chin and long enticing eyes the color Of clear
water in the shadow OF the rocks Her hair
was close, gold helmet pushed back from her
forehead and her red mouth was q bewitch-
ment.
Patrick had first seen her dancing with q
dark young man Of annoying degree Of per-
lection, and she had kept right on dancing with
him in the most upSetting way. Patrick had
met her, of course. Staca shook hands with
him in a pleasant but strictly imperSonal man
ner. Good evening. Warm, isn't it?" she said.
And then she turned away again to dance with
the dark young man.
Patrick cut in, of course. Dancing with
Stacia was like holding fame in your arms,
bright and untouchable. She smiled at him
a straight, impersonal little smile.
Rather mob" she said.
'"Too much mob" said Patrick feelingly,
doubling back to avoid the youth who was
bearing down upon them. He caught them at
the next corner.
Patrick did not know then who the dark and
perfect young man was. but he found out after
ward. 1t not hard to find out about Trevor
McIwain.
Trevor McIIwain was the son of Ivor Nc
Twain, the eccentric old millionaire whose pet
hobby was making fortunes, and whose pet
hate, ever since the business Of the mosquito
and the black spots. was Jared Willoughby.
Perhaps Trevor and Stacia danced together so
much because their knowing each other at all
was forbidden. The very difficulties OF the
situation gave it an added spice for both OF
them.
There was not much spice about Patrick
Canon-and nobody knew it better than he did.
He not rich handsome or talented or
clever-just q nice, blundering young man
whom everybody liked. But somehow when
Patrick Canon got an idea he hung onto 1t as
IL it were the last idea In the world.
Now it happened that when Patrick saw
Stacla-when she looked at him out Of those
clear gray eyes. and spoke to him In that clear,
enhancing voice, no matter how impersonally;
when he danced with her. matter how
briefly. and felt her In his arms--then the idea
came to him that he was in love- 1t was not,
an Idea that Patrick Canon had ever seriously
had before. That was why ID was important.
.... ,-t-t ~ - y5t, f,. a' M =