Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1932-05-28

hands. Added to this was natural
envy at seeing this impudent chit the
| richest person in town, while Ezra Slade
with all his smartness-all his nickel
pinching was growing poorer each year
Resentment won out.
"Well, you're dom just what I'd ex-
| pect you to be doin'! All dolled uI
like Mrs Astor's horse, amt you! Silks
the old mans money won't last SO LONG
at that rate! heard he was a perfect
fool over you'll"
He was wonderful to mel" Joyce
said softly.
The old man shifted and eyed her
suspiciously.
"What'd you come here for?"
1.-TWO things" there was a dry
edge to Joyce's smile. Here's the one
you'll probably be interested in" She
had placed her handbag on the coun-
ter; an expensive trif1e Of silk brocade
with a carved ivory handle which she
had picked up one sunny afternoon in
Paris. She noticed now how odd ii
looked in contrast with the worn and
smudged up ink-stained desk as she
lifted and opened it. Ezra's sharp eyes
| watched as she counted out some bills
and handed them to him.
When went away took $50 from
! the cash drawer. was reminded OF
| it-recently. Here is the money"
Ezra took it, carefully recounted it
Showed 1t in his pocket and cackled. :,
You took! That's pretty richH
Malice bristled in his voice. He knew
it would gain nothing now to be diplo-
! matte. You mean you stole $50, my
grill"
A long moment when eyes chung to
eyes in the shadowy room. Joyce's eyes
| were purple flames of wrath. Then
suddenly the fire died out and great
WEAKNESS crept into them. She made a
little helpless gesture. Spoke gently
by me. If you had only been kind by
me. If you had only been kind even
Her voice broke off YEARLY.
bag again. I'm going to see Aunt
Clara and the girls ="
Joyce had reached the door when
Ezra called after her, you said there
was two things brought you down here
| What was the other?"
| A faint little smile was on Joyce's
lips as she turned to look at him, slowly
shook her head. TT doesn't matter
| 4Ou WOulull uuU6TSIdIlQ--
| Down the long hall-how many times
she had swept it in the old days
welding heavy broom when her thin
little arms could hardly manage it. She
remembered how bitterly cold this long
hall could get in Winter-cold with the
bonesbiting chill of imprisoned air.
Joyce found Aunt Clara in the
kitchen peeling the vegetables for din
ner. She was sitting just inside the
| screened door, and she had slipped of
her shoes for comfort. Joyce had the
feeling that she might have been sitting
like this with the chopping bowl in hel
lap all these years she herself had been
gone, like some monstrous image of pa
| thence.
If Joyce had expected any demon
stration Of joy on her aunt's part she
was doomed to disappointment Aunt
Lara was as lethargic, as undemonstra-
tive as ever.
She suffered Joyce to lean down and
kiss her moist cheek, but it might have
been six days since she had seen hel
niece rather than six years.
| Il heard you was comm back No
don't set there-you'I spoil your dress
Take that other chair"
I'm all right, Aunt Clara. Here
let me help you while I talk"
Land, no! You'll get your hands all
dirty" Joyce looked at her slim
white hands-remembered the rough
red paws Of the girl who had drudgec
in this same kitchen. She laughed.
1T didn't hurt me once, Aunt Clara
and I guess it won't again. Where are
the girls"
"'Meirs upstairs. lynn down. Mad
dys married. Been married foul
years."
Married! I didn't know"
ITO that Will McNally. They live
just across the tracks. She's got q
baby, Z months old he is. A real nice
baby" For q brief moment, Mrs
SHADES fat, stupid face lighted with
something of interest at the mention OF
the baby. It clouded with disapprova
immediately. "Here-you better let me
] do them potatoes. You peel 'em toe
| thick My, my, If your uncle was to
see them parings! What he wouldn't
say!"
She snatched the knife away from
| the girl and began to slice peelings
tissue-paper thin, from the potato.
II heard you had things real easy
now. Imagine Hvinr up in that bic
house! heard they had four servants
Think Of 1t! What lot-a waste 1t
seems, for four servants to be takin'
care Of two people" Quite plainly,
Mrs. Slade did not consider Joyce In
the number of the family.
Neil came into the kitchen, peering
through the semi-gloom with her weak
eyes blinking. She, too, permitted her
cousin to touch her thin cheek with
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