Evening star., 1932-07-24
FIVE PASTURES AWAY"

- - u - -
Five Pastures Away and Three Mountains
Beyond" she hummed. I'm going" she spoke
decisivey now, West To find My Far Away
Hickory Tree"
Gould you be sensible Batola and tell me
just what you mean?"
I'm going" she rushed on, Ito California"
Where" with dreadful calm, will you get
the money!"
I've several thousand dollars. Mother gave
the money to me. She told me how to use it.
Ben Hugh fixed it up for me. Well, I'm going
to squander it on travel.
You might as well calm down, Batola You
will do as Uncle Josiah wishes. You :" he
paused Something of the fire Of her halted
him. III talk to you in the morning"
He stepped aside. his whole austere bearing
announcing that the interview was at an end.
Batola skipped up the broad, winding stair
case There's always isle, but we haven't
the chart; there's alwas door, but we haven't
the key" she sang
On the upper landing she paused. Don't
wait breakfast for me. Johnathan.' she called
He heard her door slam on MY Far Away
Hickory Tree"
Tomorrow morning" he promised the stairs,
scowlingly, 'Ill put restraining order on that
money"
His promise was wasted. The money
already out of the bank, and in the morning
Batola was gone.
Aunt Hisparia, q withered Winton In her
proper black gown, whose only resemblance to
lightning was that she lived her life along the
lines OF least resistance came majestically down
the broad stairs to find Johnathan frowningly
reading the note Batola had left. He handed
it to her silently.
You might get in touch with Philip" she
suggested. He Is in California
California is very big" ponderously returned
Johnathan. Il haven't seen Philip for several
T rictlx fopni ilyv
affair"
CALIFORNIA at last! Batola felt let down,
~ fiat, gone stale useless and aimless. She
couldn't exactly explain what she had expected.
But whatever it was, it didn't seem to manifest
itself. Los Angeles was Just another city
Even Hollywood swanked hotels like New York.
She didn't like hotels. She found an apart
ment.
The next morning Dragging to the open win
dow about her good coffee, trying not to admit
she lonesome-even for the turbulent VIM
ton household-she remembered what the grand
young man had said about the Roosevelt Hotel
When she entered the lobby her heart did the
same flip flop. thump, roll over and upright it
had done in Chicago. There no mistaking
him 1t was the Grand Young Man from Chi
cago. She sat tense: fearful he would not look
before he went too far. He saw her. quick
smile of welcome lit his face like sudden
brightness OF lights on flower bed in the dark.
You little" he grasped her hand. Il don't
know what to call you. Why didn't you wait
for me in Denver?"
Why what?"
Didn't you get my telegram? Why didn't
you wait for me?'
Your telegram"
Yes, Polly Parrot, my telegram. Don't tell
me you didn't get my telegram just before yoa
reached Denver, asking you to wait there?"
Batola began to laugh in earnest now A
slow chuckle that gathered volume and rose
with soft crescendo.
oh" she gasped, Il threw it out of the
window"
II thought 1t was from Johnathan, my
brother you know. But, of course you don't
know Johnathan is my brother and dread
fully impressed with his importance and re-
sponsibility. I didn't want to answer any tele-
gram of his, and I knew that II opened it I
threw it out the window
Il could spank you he said. I've hoped
about like pogo pole with the itch trying to
find you Didn't you take room here? 1
supposed you would and I checked your bags;
you
You brought my bags? Aren't you the
darling Now 1 won't have to buy any more
clothes for little while
Her heartbeat was down to normal, but the
thought that he had assumed responsibility
for her bags was rather heady.
II don't like hotels. I've an apartment I
want to make my own coffee. I can' she
Dragged.
You infant" he snorted with grin.
where are my bags?" she interrupted.
"You will have to redeem them. Go to lunch
with me-" he smiled.
II pay the bill?" without flicker.
Don't be absurd
That's no forfeit. If I go to lunch with you
as your guest" she explained, little girl
fashion, that's doing me favor"
Thanks" he beamed. Il just don't know
what I'm going to do with you"
You're not going to do anything with me-"