Evening star., 1932-05-23
TANGLED LIVES
>~-~->~~~>~~~>~~~B BY ANN FORESTER~~~
Wife,"
CHAPTER XL.
CLASH OF WILLS.
Author Of Spite Wife"


the cab-old Tim White, who, as
young Tim White, had driven the
~ Stage coach in those early days
before Riverton had railroad,
and who now drove the town taxi.
After stupefied moment he recog
nized her. "Well-well-well, Joyce
Allen. or I'm an Indian! Didn't know
YOU fer minute account of your fne
clothes. That's the way they're dress
in in Eu-rupe now them long
skirts? It'll seem kinda funny not to
thought I'd live to see 'em bring them
skirts back but, then, legs was
gettin' so they wasn't no treat no more,
anyways"
As Tim relieved himself of this, he
was slowing away Joyces grips.
I'VE been expectin' you back for
quite bit now. You'll find the towns
changed bit. Lots of changes since
you was waitin' table down to the Com
mercial House"
This last was said bit defiantly and
1t struck a gleam of amusement from
the girl Very obvious it was that Tim
White was not to be awed by wealth
and travel. At the slight belligerent
gleam in his eyes, Joyce seemed to hear
him holding forth on this probable
meeting Believe me, no red-headed
kid is goin' to put it over on me just
because she married a rich old fool who
should-a known better! Why, I knowed
her when she was waitin' table down
in her uncle'S hotel"
I'm sure I'll find lot of improve
ments in Riverton," Joyce said in her
low. pleasant voice. will you please
drive me to the Cameron house?"
You'll find lots-a changes" Tim
nIo ha hor MT continued
to talk over his shoulder through the
open window as he started the car.
An that amt all you'll find, I guess.
Disappointment don't make some folks
no easier to get on with"
A baleful eye accompanied this shot
over his shoulder for moment before
it returned to the road. Joyce un-
raveled this to mean that the animosity
of Mrs. Cameron and her daughter was
no secret in Riverton. She felt warm
little bush in her cheeks and changed
the subject since it was obviously i'm
possible to shut the old man up.
"Why-what have they done to the
schoolhouse-builta an addition on!"
Tim White spat and gave a pleased
smile of civil pride. yep. Just an
other way of KNOWN how Riverton' S
CROWN. An look-the new Metro
politan Hotel Bet you amt seen any
finer buildin' in Eu-rup! Maybe bigger,
in Moo York, but not more modern.
Bath room to every room. Seems sorta
silly, but its modern. They say the
plumbin in them Eu-rup hotels is
something fierce"
The fortunate subject of European
plumbing lasted until the car was turn
ing up Valley View street.
Meantime, Joyce had been looking
out at the gray town trying to realize
that she was back after six years.
Troubling-aS half-remembered
dream, these asphalted streets lined
with two and three story brick build
ings. The Bon Ton Store with its
showing of Summer wash silks" and
tracks on Main street which ran out
to Briarville and were crowded on
Saturday night by cannery workers
going out to the dance.
A new gasoline station, cleaning
lemon yellow through the twilight ana
making bright spot out of what had
been the dark corner of WattleS and
Main streets.
The lettered windows of Lloyd
Weaver's law Offices in the Hooper
block-1sO6. Bright gold letters read
Law. Evidently Norman had gone in
with his father. How strangely ia
miliar it was-and how alien. Much
stranger-much further away than the
Sing-Song of Shanghai streets, the shrill
hubbub of an Indian bazaar. Great
homesicknesS sweeping on her for the
far places of the earth. Sudden long
ing for the silent, comforting presence
of old Roger. If only Kitty was here
to take off the curse of this forlorn
homecoming! thought Joyce wildly
Kitty, who would sniff at Main street S
uglineSS and privately hoot at old Tim
Whites rudeneSs.
Kelly's Furniture Store :. Hislop's
the Green Grocer then they had
turned up into steep Valley View street.
Joyce drew sigh of relief and leaned
back on the worn leather cushions as
the old car painted up the hill under
the locust trees.
Big frame or brick houses sitting
smugly back on their front lawns.
Front porches deserted, for it was the
dinner hour. Riverton always dined in
unison.
Norman's house. long, narrow Sits of
windows cleaning through the green
Virginia creeper.
Joyce remembered a red-headed girl
who had run along this dark street with
wildly beating heart one night. . .
How Strange-it might have happened
to another person were it not for that
unpleasant tinge Of sadness it had left
with her
Tim White had lapsed into silence.
In spite of himself something about
Joyce had penetrated his hostile poise.
Later on he was to say: She's got a
lot of airs like she thOllpht she was