Evening star., 1933-10-31

= UE went down the gangplank with
the feeling she was treading on
air. Faces, figures a maze. Down
~ an incline. This was home. This
was New York U. S. A. Where
was Jeffrey? Right. Two steps ahead
of her.
"Sis!" Sue, caught in a vice Of loving
arms. Tommy!
'Darling!" Sue returned the embrace
with interest. How ever did you get
here?" Her cheeks were wet against
the warmth of the loving ones.
II skipped school. I earned enough
money doing errands for Gallaghers
grocery store to pay my fare down and
back again. Herman1l probably fan me,
but I don't care. Gee. Sis, you look
SWELL"
Sue, recovering, conscious of eyes,
conscious OF the fact that In the next
few minutes the play must live or fall.
Sue, moving Tommy aside, under per-
suaSlon OF encircllng arms. Her head
on his shoulder, close to his ear.
Listen, darling. Look at me- Some
thing I haven't time to explain has
happened. People are watching us.
This is the most important moment in
cur lives. 1t means everything, to you,
TO me, to mother. You've got to play
the game"
But; Sis. I don't understand. What
game?" Was Tommy, with his sensi-
tlVeneSS to pretense, going to get cut Of
control?
into eyes ss Saa aoa1a ane iayshss my Sis
brother. You're a man. No matter
what happens. Just join in The tall
man with the red hair who came down
the eangplank with US is our friend.
Our very best friend. Try to remember
tnat Tommy, and imagine you've
known him all your life I lo-that is,
YOU
He looks like regular guy" Tommy
observed over Sues shoulder.
you're going to have a surprise,
Tommy, but you're not to let any one
suspect you're surprised. Can you do
1t? You ought to, big man like YOU"
Sure. can" Sue felt the swagger
OF youth challenged and thanked her
gods Tor 1t. What do we do now?"
We step out-toward that group
with the red-headed man in the
center"
ok. Sis. Lead the way"
Sue, her arm around Tommy's shoul-
der, approaching the clot of adventure
as though it did not exist. Chatter
ing at Tommy.
We had perfectly stunning time in
Parls-the tennis matches were on
you must see them with us next year.
Tommy. Tommy OH beg your pardon!
10, old man" Jeffrey grasped
Tommy'S hand. Thought you'd turn
up to welcome Sue"
the grey-blue ones. The clot of people
around the red-haired man widened.
as Se vofs vas stesdy and
Giford?" The S executor S of the et.s estate ate
Sue knew him Those gold-rimmed
glasses. Punctillious. Cracked ice
Jlngllng in a bowl.
And my cousins. Sue, Beatrice and
Cyril Randall"
so good of you to welcome u.s." Sue
heard herself saying What must she
Go now? A pressure on her arm.
Mrs. Randall" Mathlda's fingers bit
deep to steady Sue. I've arranged for
two trunks, your immediate needs. to
so right along I'll stay until the Gus
toms goes through the others
Mrs. Randall? Sues eyes fed to
. Tommy. He was watching her. his
sensitive chin limiting at quiver.
Thanks Ma-Miss Fe,herstone
Sue steeled herself against the CULVER
This is my companion, Miss Fether-
stone"
Mathilda vouchsafed negligible nod
Her command steadied Sue.
Sues hand slipped under Jcffrey's
arm in gesture that was, to say the
least, clinging. JEFF has been telling
me so much about you all. you'll par
don me for being somewhat distrait. I
thought we'd slip in quietly"
Mrs. Randall has had rather diff
cult crossing" Jeffrey interposed, pos
sessing himself of Sues hand. THE
first night out there was storm and
she twisted her ankle"
"Oh. how dreadful" Bea Randall
stepped forward. It's so selfish of US
keeping you here. Sill" addressing
Cyril Randall, I'VE must see that Jeff's
wife is taken to her car Immediately
Sill. can't you do something about it?"
Sue had an opportunity for a hasty
summation of Bea Randall. Small and
dark and vital Dynamics. Never mind
about the pale cheeks. Look at the eyes,
burning. And the lips like poinsettia
The hand slim and tenuous.
And Cyril. Weaker Weak chin.
Not so good on the brow with that
backward slant. But cunning Mar
rowness between the eyes gave warn
ing, Inbred, perhaps. New blood
needed. Pekingese dogs, too highly
Dre0, Wneeze0. cyril did not WheeZc
but he could, and would, if he we're
natural.
Rather" Cyril Randall dragged on
a cigarette. tossed it away. Every
things arranged" Aside to Sue:
Pardon me. Mrs. Randall, but We
were not expecting any one $685."
so what?" Sue tipped back her
chin and laughed a ringing laugh.
narrowed. Sue fell the touch Of The
rapier. Warfare? Then let there be
warfare She was not to be frightened
Nice of you to be SO kind Sue
simulated the confusion Jeffrey had
recommended "Jeffrey-Tommy-"
Its horrd Of us focking in on you
this way" Bea Randall leaped to the
breach. Sue caught the searching
scrutiny of Mr. Clifford. the executor,