Smyrna times., 1932-12-07
WEEKLY STORY
AROUND TABLE
Reading to While Away Time
Under the Evening Lamp
When Days Work is Done
INTERESTING READING
TOO CLOSE UP"
By Edgar T. Montfort


when you hear that / shan't be able
to get back in time for you to take
your trip this summer. l guess l
should have told you sooner, but
the days just seem to slip by with
out my knowing where they are go
ing. 1t is wonderful up here and
l am having the time of my life.
I'm chasing a man and he's going
to be here six weeks more. If you
could go on substituting at the Of
flee for me just that little bit long
er. | can't lose my job in case /
don't catch him. Honey. / know
you won't mind giving up your trip
this once for your devoted sister
Ann.
When Nancy had finished read
ing her letter she flung herself
across the bed and burst into un-
contrOllable weeping. She buried
her fluffy blond head in the pillow
and kicked her patent leather
heels in the air. Her aunt, hearing
the commotion, ran In to investi-
gate.
why. Nancy darling, what is the
matter?" she asked, stroking the
shaking shoulders Of her niece.
"Oh Aunt Sally, Aunt Sally! ~
sObbed the girl, turning over and
throwing her arms about the older
woman's neck. FIJI never be happy
again, never, never as long as |
live. My own sister has gone back
on me. She's tricked me and she
waited to tell me until I'd made all
my pretty clothes, and spent my
last penny to get the material to
make them. And what'll | do with
them in this hole? What difference
does it make what you wear here2
How could she do it? How could
she? And l had my heart all set.
I've been planning for this trip for
over a year. How cruel she Is!
And my sister, my own sister that
l loved SO. How could she do this
thing to meY'
DO what, Nancy?' asked Mrs.
Walton at last.
Read that letter and you'll see.
Just as cool as a cucumber. I hope
you won't be too disappointed :"
Nancy quoted with a sneer.
Mrs. Walton read the letter and
put 1t down with a sigh, her usual
ly placid face frowned with little
worry wrinkles. Ann was always
chasing some man, her absolute
frankness about it being the only
redeeming feature about it.
Nancy, darling" she said after
a moment, putting her arms around
the girl again. You're facing your
beings and it hurts the more be
cause It's some one you love and
trusted who has wronged you. 1t
shouldn't hurt you any more than
If some outsider had done it. Often
those who are not related to us
prove our most loyal and devoted
friends and you mustn't let this
embitter you. Another thing you
have to remember. there are serious
flaws In every human character.
and perhaps if you knew other
girls as you do Ann you would find
that they had equally serious de
fects. Sometimes / think we get
too close up to our relatives and
that's what makes so many family
quarrels and splits. know this
is hard on you, dear, and I'm not
trying to condone AIMS action, but Ii
| were you I'd make the best of the
situation and try to form new ties
and interests"
"Oh, Aunt Sally. ! wish | could.
but I'm just burning up with re-
sentiment. It's eating my heart out
to think that she'd do a thing like
that to me. That hurts worse than
the disillusionment-and my pref
ty new clothes"
Nancy's lips quivered and the
tears began to fall afresh. II can't
see anyone. Do call up and break
my date with Ned for me tonight"
Nonsense, dear. You're going
TO put on your prettiest dress and
20 out and have a good time. Why,
it's summer and summer was made
for youth"
"Oh. help me to be brave,
begged Nancy
Nancy had decided not TO tell
Ned about her broken heart, but
she had not been with him ten min
utes before she was crying on his
/ shoulder and telling him the whole
dreadful story. She was so pathet-
ic and lovable when she was un-
happy. Ned thought with a thrill
as he held her close.
"Oh, I'm a little devil to talk
\ about my sister that way and
! guess I'm as mean as she is, but 1t
4 just slipped out" she said contrite-
/ ly after awhile. her lashes still wet
4 with tears.
/ Nancy. you give me an idea and
/ the courage to- tell you what.
/ know what we can do with those
! pretty clothes. I'm making a trip
to Panama for the firm In October.
Summer clothes will be fine