Evening star., 1932-07-15
dNSTALLMENT l. Continued J

TOO bad you're going Miss Brookes."
The cashier was handing Tony her en-
yelope.
what, another victim?" The excla-
nation came from tall girl over by
the lockers. Leslie Moran, model.
Tony knew her slightly, had chatted
with her now and then. Hope you're
luckier than am. Me, I'm all washed
up. too, and no place to go"
Tony to ask: You mean you haven't
any home?"
You got the rough idea, Brookes. I
had room but the tender-hearted
landlady won't let me keep 1t any more
unless I pay in advance. I drew ahead
here so there's nothing to pay her with.
Pretty?"
I've a room-it'S sort Of scrimpy, but
there's couch in 1t beside my daybed.
I'd like to have you come and keep me
company, if you don't mind close quar-
ters."
Leslie Moran came out of the shadow,
under the light where she could flX eyes
wide with amazement and with unbe-
lief on her fellow misfortunate. Silence,
for the flick of a second, then the tall
girl extended her hand.
Thanks Brookes," she said. You're
regular My names Lee"
Mines Tony"
That had occurred two, going on
three weeks ago. Lee and Tony had
knocked had thundered at opportuni-
tvs doors. No door had opened. Funds
dwindled. Five dollars, loaned by Tony,
went to Lees tender hearted" landlady
who claimed that amount was due her
for service" and who refused to allow
Lee to take away her clothes until the
$5 was paid. The remaining sum of
Tony'S savings must be carefully hoard
ed for rent. Food was inadequate in
Mrs. Higgins third floor back, but
friendship flowered with all the celebrity
and vigor of youthful gardening.
So that Tony, returning to its pleas
ant promise, leg-weary and heart heavy
after another days unsuccessful storm
ing of opportunity's doors, was disap-
pointed to find the room dark, empty
of human habitant. She pulled on the
light. note was pinned to her pill
low:
"Tony-Gone to pick primroses. Don't
worry, I'll watch out for stickers. Tom
Stewart is back in town If he calls
Tor me tell him I'm out looking for
work. Back soon. Higgins gave me a
key. Your name ought to be What
apaL LEE"
,S TO pick primroees. What did Lee
L shouldn't have left her here" Tony
rebuked herself, after what she said
this morning. I should have waited.
urged her to come with me- She was
discouraged and bitter. Something has
made her that way
Was that the buzzer? Yes, three
Short, sharp signals Some one for the
third floor. Tony hurried to open her
door.
Miss 8rookes?"
That you?"
Yes, Mrs. Higgins"
Sure, some devils been ringing
Mrs Higgins, was twas it Miss
Moran? You'd know her voice. I'm
sure" Had something happened to Lee,
foolish, lovable Lee, with her chatter
about primroses and dropping gold
coins in baskets and getting things
without giving?
An how would I be KNOWN her
voice when there's million as like"
When Mrs; Higgins was annoyed, her
brogue thickened. "All know is, Who
ever it's says It's important, an it's
hung up on me they have"
Lee! Who else would be calling Tony
1nsStently? She knew no one in the
city, she was stranger, except for Lee
and now
Tony closed the door. For the first
time since her farewell to the house
with the green shutters in Centerville
she felt that the long, long trail might
not be worth the struggle to travel.
4 x K
On the painted blue table between a
painted blue bed and a couch a clock
sounded senile soprano alarm
Thinning silence -ti-n-n-n-g-si-
lence- ce-ti-n-n-n-g-
1t was the sort of insistent alarm
that would not cease, regardless of the
tlghtness with which fingers were thrust
into resistant ears or the closeness with
which covers were drawn over droWsy
heads
Il-n-n-n-g-
oh, for the love of-Tonyl-s strangle
that clock, will you? Make it stop
screaming
The voice came from the blue bed to
the right of the blue table Thereupon,
in the couch to the left tousle of
dark curls appeared above the edge of
a blanket, slim hand shot out, re-
trieved the offending clock and shut off
the alarm. Then the tousle of dark
curls disappeared under the blanket
again. But not for long. A matter of
moments and it reappeared, raised itself
from the tumbled pillow and framed a
face distinguished by pair of eyes as
limpid and golden brown as woodpool
in an Autumn sunset; and by a girlish
face from which sleep had not drained
the worries and the ScarletS, but rather
had intensified them.
Tony Brookes swung her feet over the
side of the bed and wriggled her toes