Evening star., 1932-01-06


" the end of the week invitations
had gone out for dinner party
to introduce the latest Mrs.
Carter.
ELEVEN. we're asking. That's enough,
don't you think" judy heard Vera ask
this one morning. Judy was coming
down the stairs. The others were
gathered in the small breakfast room
of the hall.
ITS up to you girls" STAINS voice
answered.
Il think, at first, it will be best for
Judith to meet people few at time.
, She seems a little-Well, little shy,
perhaps" came Mrs. Carter's voice.
The cheeks of the girl descending
the stairs were hot and pink. Had her
shyness-her homesickness-been mis-
taken for awkwardneSS?
I'm asking the-the old crowd,
Stan" This was Amy. And 1 wanted
to ask you-well, you see, it's sort OF
awkward if I don't ask them all. |
wondered if you'd especially mind II l
asked"
"Ask any one you like!" put in STAINS
voice harshly And for G--'s sake,
don't poster me with details!"
There was an expressive pause, filled
only with the rustic of the paper as
Stan angrily turned over leaf. Judy
could imagine Vera and Amy ex-
changing meaningful glances. What
was Stan so angry about2
There was still a scowl on his face
when she went into the breakfast room;
Stan was in one of his black moods.
The days leading up to the party
were brinming for Judy-hectic days,
filled with a sort of feveriSh excite
ment, If not with happiness.
Are apI Nera She had
been driven up to San Francisco to be
fitted for an evening dress. Vera, it
was, who with her mother had taken
upon herself the task of gliding the
lily. Amy was frankly not interested
in any clothes which were not intended
for herself. Amy had her own group
of ir1timates and lived her life in a
whirl Of bridge luncheons and dinner
dances. She had no time for a provin-
cial stster-in-law.
Vera had made room for Judy's super
vision, in the midst of her innumerable
committee meetings and golf games.
Judy would have been more grateful for
this II she had not shrewdly suspected
that it was not personal interest in her
which prompted Veras attention. 1t
was not Judy herself who could COM
mand Vera Carter's time-it was the
fact that Judy was now a Carter, and,
as such, must be carefully groomed that
she be credit to the house Of Carter.
1t was Vera who entered the bed
room a couple of days after Judy's ar
rival and sat her stocky figure down in
one of the great leather arm chairs.
Lets see what you have to wear,
Judy" she commanded. And Judy
obediently showed her wardrobe.
Vera sat and sucked her lower lip re-
fectiVely. and Judy felt that her poor
homemade things had lost caste in
those sharp black eyes.
The hats aren't bad . You
made them yourself? Well, you have
got a I,n2cy. EUt tha evening things
are blah You'll have to get something
with more style. Nine. Esmee could
turn you out something She makes
Amy's things and my own"
But Stan said-you see, we're trying
to save" Judy wondered If she dare
tell Vera about that plan for saving to
get little apartment,o ,of their own. She
wanted to confide in this older sister of
Stan, but she was little afraid of her
sharpness.
"Save-tommyrot Stan Carter never
saved a penny in his life. He doesn't
know the meaning of the word. If you
gave and stint on yourself it'll only be
SO Stan can join more expensive golf
club Don't be a fool, Judy! Stan
would want you to be a credit to him
when you meet his friends"
That had turned the trick. Judy had
put in a weary, hectic day in the city
being fitted for new clothes in Nine.
Esmee's exotic salon.
And coming back in the car, bowling
along the highway to Lockwood, Judy
was both appalled, and thrilled. 1t was
an ordeal, shopping with Mrs. Carter.
FTTI- -
her own mind from one moment to the
next. Did she shop for yellow dress
she was certain to have her plans upset
by blue. one. Did she order roses
from the florist. by the time the man
had them cut and boxed she discovered
she infinitely preferred viOlets. 1t was
owing to the steam-crusher tactics of