Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-16
JILT'ED n
By Margaret
Widdemer
Newspaper Alliance Inc

you would know, being as understand
ing as you are wonderful but
1t does not matter. After all. what are
we but bubbles on life's cup?"
Was she really in earnest? Yes-she
was. Or she was in earnest for the
moment. Playing up to somebody.
Ethan or DR.. Gaynor or both.
II hope you tried to argue him out
Of such an unhealthy frame of mind"
said the good doctor.
II did what I could" said Nina
gently, and Helen saw that she was
playing up to DR.. Gaynor Well.
Where did you get those wonderful
Nina frightened
II have their absolute attested guar
antee, one of the best jewelers. in Eng
! land My dear, aren't they stunning?
Straight from an old English estate.
War poor, you know. And the family
had had them 500 years. You've no
idea what bargain they were. Cartier
than twice what paid for them! The
settings are about eighteen-ninety. They
were to be reset for this mans bride, but
| they couldn't afford to keep them. I'm
going to leave them set Just as they are
Talk about luck!" She stripped them
off to show them about the table-the
brooch, the narquise ring, the diamond
bracelets and an agraffe to hold
| feathers for court presentation day
They became her, as she put them back
on; her unshaded hard good looks
Helen thought that foreigners would
call her typical rich American woman
OF the better kind. Perhaps she was
!. =. She looked down at her own
lovely ring, and hoped that nobody had
been unhappy at parting with it.
| And what do you hear" said Ethan
| politely, "of young Ronny? Helen and
caught glimpse of him few weeks
| ago"
Here in Kingsway? Then you know
more about him and than do" said
Nina. II haven't heard a word from
him since before I left home Neither
has Mr.. Powell. Helen was always his
coufidante. You know something about
good GIRL
Ethan looked at Helen attentively.
She wondered If she was right in feel
ing that his face darkened slightly.
She had to put Ronny right with
Nina, even If Ethan was hurt at her
\ not saying anything to him before.
Il heard-through some one else
that he was earning his living in New
York CITY," she said I'm sure he's
doing the very best he knows how"
It was Nina's face which darkened
|
THAT boy spends his life trying 10
put me in the position of cruel STEP
mother" she said, not quite as lightly
as she intended. And I really do not
know how to control him. He forfeited
all chance Of graduation. He spent his
money like water and refused to give
an account of (which is rather
tragic. you know in its implications"
Helen wondered If Nina would be-
lieve in the financing Of the young
poetry magazine, and decided sha
wouldn't. Nina really shouldn't tell
things about Ronnv to people who were
no relation. But Nina continued mex
orably.
Finally he brought a girl UP to his
dormitory. He picked out little sneak
for friend and the friend told on him.
OF course. He wouldn't explain. have
done my duty by the boy, and, after ALL
he Is no relation. AS I told him, unless
he changes his ways I am through
simply through"
But, oh, Nina, he's so stupid about
money. If he hasn't any until he Is Is
it may make all the difference in the
mot to me-" said Nina, with her quiet
firmness. II am so sure that he Is
worthless that feel owe 1t to myself
to explain to my friends that Ronny
IS no longer under my control, hnan-
cially or personally"
"Oh, Nina, and the poor boys 50 i'm
practical!" Helen pleaded.
Nina laughed lightly.
! You incorrigible little fiirt! thought
that was all over, now you were the
captive of Ethans bow and spear!"
Helen looked at Nina aghast. The
inference was unmistakable.
And there was scarcely any way Of
answering that would not make things
worse.
CTo be continued.)