Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1932-06-12

and entered the house
MY land O. me-" she exclaimed under her
breath as her eyes took in the cherries dis
order. Bad as it was, however, it could wait.
Jenny dropped her cape and hurried to the
telephone. Her next move was to Lucy's room.
Aunt Jenny. Aunt Jenny" breathed Lucy,
her eyes widening, only to dim with happy
tears. Her slender hands gripped Jennys
capable Ones her head sought the comforting
haven Of Je..ly's ample bosom.
How did you happen to come? If you
knew :. " her voice broke.
Don't take sight O. mind readin' to guess"
replied her visitor, with ripple Of laughter
in which Ter eyes had share. Her glance
darting hither and thither. noting the dis
order of the room.
There there. grille, quit your cryin'. Little
don't hurt none but enoughs enough. Lone
some? Well, that's over. Come now, chirk up.
There, that's better. I-tell-ya." The latter
was Jenny's stock expression of commentator.
You mean-you've really come to stay?"
quavered the girl.
If your pa doesn't turn me out, reckon
I'm here till you get your feet anyways.
Now how about little something to eat?"
Keeping up fire of small talk Aunt Jenny
soon had the satisfaction of seeing Lucy's
heavy lids close in refreshing slumber, in
duced by nourishing food and general bodily
comfort. She was in the midst of struggle
at the kitchen sink when the doctors knock
sounded
Sorry to bring you to such a lookin' place,
Doctor, but seems like Luke was usin' all the
dishes in turn, hopin some of 'em would come
clean O. themselves" She answered the doctors
look of keen inquiry with a disarming smile.
Jenny Barnes wasn't one to explain her appear
ances in anybody's kitchen, even that of the
man Who gossip said, Tilted her for pretty, weak
little Sue Weston.
ITS Lucy's sick" she explained. since her
smile failed to register. some days, I take it.
an no care"
Luke Draper isn't noted for his care of any
one-but Luke Draper" returned the doctor, la
conicaIy.
"Mebbe So" laughed Jenny. with toss of her
head. Il amt amin to defend the way Luke
acts Not me. Always has acted like a cat
with sore paw. an blamin it on the world.
Soured, kind Of
And lately taking it out of an eighteen year
cid girl Expecting her to DO all the housework,
as well keep up her high grade at school"
h lot until he was about to leave did the doc
] v tor venture a direct question.
Mind telling me. Miss Barnes, if Luke Draper
engaged you to nurse Lucy. and whether you
hope to stick it, without a nervous upset?"
Luke engage me?" Jenny wrinkled her nose
good humo-edly Not SOS you'd notice it.
But I'm stayin'. An 1 amt expectin no case
O. nerves, neither. I amt had much direct
dealin' with Luke these 10 years, but it'd take
some crouch to scare me away from helping
Lucy. My father want no joke to look after,
the last O. his life you know bettern most,
Doctor. He's gone an I'm alone Her face
lost its sparkle
I don't mind tellin you I'm lonesome. Lost
like. after bein' busy tendin' his rinktums.
An Lucy &. :" her features quivered, and her
eyes shone bit too brightly, Il love the girl
Seems if she'd oughter have chance. Hap
piness-good times. So many of us miss out
I'd like she shouldn't. Mebbe can help
Luke couldn't repress grunt Of satisfac-
ton as he opened the door on his return and
his eyes rested the tidy sink the sparkling
stove, the immaculate kitchen floor. Too the
table was set for dinner with precision and
certain promise it had lacked in the
palmiest days of his welded life.
AS day followed day of such luxury Of we'll
being Luke ceased to take offense when sly
townsfolk limited at the possibility of a second
Mrs. Draper. Always Luke had approved OF
Jenny-loved her, perhaps, in his own queer
way. II the lure of blond prettneSS had
drawn him into another alliance, he had been
brought to realize his mistake at every turn.
Now, although completely sold to the desire
of obtaining such woman as permanent
housekeeper, simply by performance OF the
marriage ceremony something in Luke-some-
thing he could not define and would have re-
sisted had he recognized it-made him shrink
from a deliberate offer which, he feared.
might bring well-remembered flash to Jenny's
dark eyes. 1t may have been banished recollec-
tons of early days, when Jenny Barnes had
allowed him to carry her books. and saved,
for him, the Home sweet-home' dance at
youthful frolics
Whatever it was it was strong enough to
arrest even Lukes cupidity. And SO it hap
pened that, on the Sunday evening that was
to usher in the week of Lucys return to school.
Luke and Jenny we're seated on either side Of
the living room table
WELL Luke" Jenny began, what's the pro-
gram? Think I'd better be gettin' back to the
cottage?"
leavin' us?"
WELL got to be lookin' for some sort of a