Evening star., 1933-02-19

MEL IdhtQ IUI d SIlUTI Ildll llOuI
but talk seemed difficult for
them both, and after a little
i time Michael suggested they
-~se something ca other.
During the course OF luncheon Miss
Cassandra said she would take Carroll
shopping that afternoon, as Carroll 5
wardrobe must be replenished. And
did not Michael feel with her that gray
or white mourning, or perhaps gray ana
white. would be best for the few months
left in which mourning would be fitting
and correct?
Carroll's eyes brimmed at that and
Michael said hurriedly that Carroll
would look great in gray and white. or
either. You know. Aunt CaSsandra,' y
he added, and in a voice that suggested
he spoke of a miracle. she can wear
anythingl Any shade. and LOOKOUT
you know how she looks!"
Carroll forgot her impulse to tears
and she began to think OF fine feathers.
Some sage once said that no woman
ever suicides on her way to buy hat,
and there is something in that.
In any event the afternoon was
really interesting" Carroll felt, with
Miss Cassandra waving toward this or
that frock or hat with lorgnette, and
generally sustaining an attitude, which
suggested that her visit would give
fortunate trades people power to hang
three feathers over honored doors.
They ordered to Miss CasSandra'S S
house quantities of new everythings for
underneath and all that must go along,
and servilely bowing floorwalker car
ried to Miss CaSsandra's motor some
packages, which held all Carroll could
need that night to be quite refreshed.
And dressing, Carroll did hope
Michael would like the effect 1t was
white dress and a very pretty one, and
she did, really, think it was becoming.
She found Michael waiting her at
the foot of the broad stairs. He looked
steadily up at her as she came down.
Mike, do you like it?" she asked.
'What?" he questioned.
why. my new dress and shoes and
everything, Mike"
"GreatF' he said, a trifle breath
lessly And she found that because
he did like it she wanted to cry again;
she had wanted to off and on ever since
seeing him at Mrs. Kauffman's kind
door She wanted to hide her face
against his top vest button to say
stided Mike! Mike Never leave me
again."
She had reasoned that this was low
ing and that the feeling must be very
inconvenient for women who cared for
men who didn't want to stay around,
and some of them didn't seem to.
The dinner was extremely pleasant,
and as Miss Cassandra smiled from her
end of the table she decided that
Michael was wise in his choice and
that she would not try to dissuade him.
And that, perhaps, was quite as well.
Il have needed young people" she
said, nodding, smiling, Il have needed
young people. I am so very happy
now"
And with dinner done she played the
role of WEAKNESS, to go, as once Cor
twice. did Mr. Pepys, early to bed"
And. making slow way up the stairs,
she smiled.
When she had said she must "re-
tire" being somewhat spent" Michaels
lips had protested, but his eyes bright
ened as keenly and quickly as do elec-
trio light bulbs when filled with power
by twist of button or a pull of chain.
That took living and loving to UNDER
stand, Miss Cassandra reflected. A
little earlier in her life it would have
hurt her; now she thought, MY dear
Michael, my dear boy!"
Loving-that was the road to the
understanding that erases hurts. and
loving gave to you, in place of scared
drying, few more blooms. She was
very happy, very happy.
"Shall we go to the library?" asked
Michael. He had always felt it to be
the incest room in the house; it was
less marked than were others by that
stern sort of order that sometimes comes
Of maiden ways.
Unless" he added conscientiously
(he didn't want to say it,. you're done
up, too and feel you want to go up"
Carroll didn't want to go to bed; she
protested eagerly that she wasn't