Evening star., 1932-02-06
CHAPTER XII.

TIME thought OF Eunlce Demg VIII
Stan during Christmas hung
like an ugly cloud in Judy's mind
all the long drive down to the
Beach House. She had much
tirne to think of it, for Nine. Carter
after the first excitement OF her un-
accustomed outing wore of-Slept much
of the way.
Keegan drove and Martha. the Faith
full, sat beside him. Tucked In the
tonneau. wrapped in her fur coat and
robes against the cold, crisp air, beside
the doing dowager, Judy searched her
heart.
1t had hurt her pride that Stan
should elect to remain in Lockwood
when she was going down to the coast.
At this one time Of the year-eSpeclally
at this critical period of their married
life-that he would refuse to forego a
hectic party to be with her =. And she
couldn't stay there with the house full
Of guests; Stan should see that In
her condition-nervous as she was, still
worn from that cold, dreary time in
the city to dance all night-play
cards all day; to keep up the feverish
pretense of gayety-the straining for
constant high spirits-surely, Stan coulo
see that was too much to ask. And
Eunice beautiful, tnSolent Eunlce,
so boldly in love with Stan. 1t was too
much to ask of any wife, Judy thought
resentfully.
It mattered nothing to Stan that he
had hurt her pride; Stan would always
be the playboy.
And then the full import of her
thought struck Judy. Pride wounded
pride! That was her strongest reac-
ton to STAINS refusal to come down
to the coast house with her. At one
time the hot fierce jealousy would
have run through her blood like acid
On that other house party-such a
short time ago-Stan's attentions
to Eunice had cut into her heart like
knife. Now it could only hurt her
pride!
Something sweet-something precious
gone from her life, killed by Stan
neglect She thought of her marriage
that time Immediately after, when
the JOY OF belonging to Stan utterly
was so keen it was pain. Oh, she had
brought him a full and beautiful love
and he had killed it. This mild af-
fection, this habit of living with him
was only the pale ghost of that sweet
thrilling passion d. Was 1t always like
this? Did people always come down to
this mild. taken-for- granted state after
marriage? Was STAINS WilfulneSS t.
blame, or had she expected too much?
Laid too much stress on romance?
Asking herself the questions :. grow
ing weary and little pale as the car
flashed along the road to the coast.
Accustomed to the snow and ice OF
Summerfeld, Judy was aStOnished at
the mild California Winter. Winter to
this favored land brought only deep
er green flush to the hills, born of the
yearly rains. A sky like polished blue
Steel empty Of even one cloud. Anne
thyst lakes and emerald hills. Now
and then they spun along a canyon
filled with bursting red toyOn berries
Then they were on the narrow, steep
grade, and Judy left her somber
of the heights. Hairpin curves and
hilly passes the shelf-like road
cut into the face of the cliff and far
below the cold violet sea tapping at
lonely, tawny beaches.
She was ashamed Of her childish ter
70, for Nine. Carter had been awak-
ened by the swaying Of the machine
and was gazing down the cliffs with
perfect tranquility.
At last, the old three-story house
standing alone down by the sea. 1t
was bleaker, more abandoned, than she
remembered it from the house party
for there was no Pom sent on ahead
TO open windows and set bright garden
chairs on its warped verandas. Only
few te-blooming roses grew in the
gardens sheltered places, and Winter
storms had blown down a shaky fence
on the seaward-gazing side.
judy was surprised to see Nine
Carter's sharp eyes misted with tears
when the car drew up before the wood
en- gate. Years since the old lady
had been here. 1t was part of her past
that she gazen on nova past of which
she alone remained.
1t required little imagination for
Judy to follow her thoughts Not
hard to see the vigorous, happy wife
and mother, dressed in the basques and
draped skirts of the 80s, busy around
this house in its prime The old house
echoing to hearty Voices-to running