Evening star., 1933-06-04

symptoms. Hugh was going
pick up a hitch hiker.
Then at sight Of the quaint
figure at the step, she broke
off and smiled 4xn
"A thin old lady stood there,
benz YEARLY over the covered xa
basket she gripping in cot
ton-gloved hands. BY the dim
inishing light, that portion of
her face which visible be- ~
tween the dropping brim of a ~
ShapeleSS felt hat and the fur
of her coat collar looked tired. III
Her eyes shaded by tinted
glasses WispS of white hair
struggled into the fur of her
collar. She must be hard of
hearing; Hugh shouting
questions. Phoebe did not
catch the old lady's muffled
replies.
"Let her sit with you, Hugh
called Phoebe Busters asleep"
and shifted the sprawling baby
to a more comfortable position.
Hugh reached for the basket
but the old lady shock her
head and clambered laboriouslys 81
in with it in her hands, stumbling over her long
skirt
"A basketful of eggs" Phoebe decided. "She
doesn't dare trust Hugh with them" Aloud
she called, Il think you'll be more comfortable
up there. My infant thrashes about So"
The old woman did not answer
Deaf as post" murmmured Hugh over his
shoulder. Had the devil of q time finding
out where she wants to 60"
rWhere does She want to go?"
sEtttsburgh Missed the bus. I told her
we'd try to catch up with it."
Poor old thirg!" said Phoebe.
Over the tousled head of the sleeping baby
she smiled in amusement. Evidently the old
lady thought Hugh's 35 miles hour reck-
less to the point of insanity As she sat
primly beside him her cotton gloves clasped
about the handle of the basket in her lap she
seemed to strain forward, peering with nervous
intensity into the road ahead.
[ IUGH flashed Phoebe a grin of wicked
] amusement.
'Bet she's the worlds best back-seat driver"
he murmured
No sign of the lighted bulk of the bus showed
ahead. Indeed the great American dinner hour
left the dark ribbon of road empty Of all lights
until the car debouched abruptly upon one of
those brightly illuminated little crossroad COM
munities that enliven the Pennsylvania coun-
tryside-two filling stations barbecue stand,
and country store occupying the four corners.
Phoebe sat up in sudden protest
~Hugh!" she called. I'VE have no jitney
license remember"
For Hugh had braked abruptly to stop at
the edge of the crossroads. Immediately Phoebe
saw the reason. In the square of the light out
lined by the window appeared stalwart
figure topped by the helmet of the State police.
The trooper reached swiftly through the open
window, and turning on the ceiling light,
glanced about the interior of the car. For an
instant he twinkled at Buster, who, startled by
the jolt of the stop. whimpered, squirmed, and
sat bolt upright to stare belligerently at the
intruder
The twinkle lasted only moment. Turning
to Hugh, he said "I1l have to look at your
license cards, please"
Silently Hugh produced the cards The offieer
relaxed as he glanced at them. From Virginia.
hm?" he said.
'Drove through from Richmond" confirmed
Hugh.
''Your wife and baby, I suppose, Mr."
the officer glanced at the cards-"Mr. Crosby?"
"YeS"
"And your" he looked at the old lady
He had been about to say mother" Phoebe
decided, when he noticed the disparity between
the gaunt poverty of the old woman's appear
ance and the richness of her own furs. Err
member of your househod?" he finished
'Well, no. Hugh hesitated. "As matter of
fact. we picked her up back the road bit
She's just missed the bus
HE old woman, who had been looking in
apparent bewilderment from one of the
men to the other, moistened her lips and
glanced appealingly at Hugh as she found her
self the center of attention.
She's hard of hearing" Hugh explained
1--WE picked her up about five miles out the
highway. She said her name was Miss Sarah
Peaseley and that she going to Pittsburgh
to visit relatives
- Didn't say anything about a hold-up out
1eonier way, did she?" questioned the trooper
Hugh shook his head.
She isn't exactly a chatty he