Evening star., 1933-12-10

~ Vioets of st. Luke's forward into
the great outdoors on clear, sunny
Saturday morning, knew she could
cheerfully have Arung the necks OF
her charges. AS for Rosemary
Jenkins, lingering in the rear with Mary
Louise Bartlett she would have voted for slow
torture
rosemary" she commanded sternly, please
CT me in front, you and Mary Louise with the
her girls"
I've got sore toe," said Rosemary JENKINS
inpudently "I can't walk fast
Annabel expressed her doubt of the physical
incapacity by registering complete indifference
Look at the sky girls she called with
forced enthusiasm. Its going to be beaut-
full day! I hope you all brought plenty OF
lunch because you'll be hungry"
"Rosemary's eaten half of her lunch al
ready" announced Mary Louise gleefully.
If she has," observed Annabel coldly.
"she,s-" she shifted from "out of luck" as
possibly being not suitable for leader OF the
young to employ. and concluded mildly
she'll be hungry later on"
Never would she forgive h4r mother Tor
letting her in on a thing like this! II she mao
only been downstairs the day Dr. Hotchkiss had
called, instead of being upstairs in state OF
neglgee SO incomplete that she couldn't even
pose as an invalid. She had had to listen to
the conversation over the bannister.
II was wondering if Annabel wouldn't help
us out a bit now that she's-er-home most OF
the time" Dr. Hotchkiss had made known his
mission. There's group of little girls at the
church. about or 10. that need-er-direction.
They're called the Violets, I believe. Dear
little girls all of them, you understand; very
dear little girls, but active, you know, and In
need of guidance. Now if Miss Annabel only
would"
Why certainly" Mrs Forrest had blithely
agreed "Annabel would love to. She adores
children, and besides" she lowered her voice
significantly, 'it would be a very good thing
for Annabel herself"
II had thought of that" agreed the rector,
his Cwn voice solemn.
ONLY heroic sslf-control had kept Annabel
~ from hurting over the bannister and into
the living room the wet face cloth she held in
her hand. The whole miserable little town
knew all about herl Everybody knew she had
lost her job although that wasn't her fault.
and that she had been as good as engaged to
Earl woodsum and Earl Woodsum was now
going around with girl from Freetown. She
wouldn't have believed that life could ever
become such dreary round of days at %.
Twenty-two! 1t didn't seem old, yet nothing
was Of interest any longer, not even clothes.
The new hiking costume she was wearing, with
its buff -colored shorts and jacket. didn't brighten
the day bit.
Seven of the little girls were SO docile they
were almost irritating. Two, Mary Louise
Bartlett and Betty Lacey, were variable, keep
ing on the side of the law themselves, but giving
applause to Rosemary. As for Rosemary, she
was an outlaw, having stood on the side Of
anarchy from the very first meeting OF the
Violets under Annabels leadership.
"Oh, Anniebel, mean, Miss Forrest" called
Rosemary suddenly "are We going to change
the name of the club today?'
Rosemary's insistence on saying Annabel or
rather, Anniebel was one Of AnnabePs chief
grievances. The other children decorously re-
ferred to her as Miss Forrest.
'Yes" said Annabel, with the feeling that
a headache coming on. We're going to
present the names today after our lunch and
vote on them. I'm sure you've all brought
some splendid suggestions"
I've got lovely name!" cooed Stella Davis,
one of the docle ones. II thought and thought
for three days before the right one came. It's
lovely!"
I'm sure it is" praised Annabel warmly.
tive got lovely one," echoed Priscilla Cox
Then they all chorused and Annabel smiled
first at one and then the other. After the
tumult and the shouting had died, Rosemary
jenkins, walking little apart from them all.
observed with note of portent IN her voice:
"Ive got some good ones, tool"
Reaching Great Neck Pond, lunch was hailed
with delight. The Violets eagerly opened their
boxes and regaled each other with recount
ing Of the contents. Rosemary cheerfully an
nounced that she had one sandwich and one
banana left "But I'm glad ate on the way"
she said, because I was hungry then and I'm
not so hungry now"
Annabel had surprise. She now produced
It with an air of festivity that she didn't feel
What do you suppose I've got in my box!"
she caroled. "Hot dogs and bacon! We're
going to build a fire and cook them. Wen
make fireplace out of stones. Who can bring
me some nice fat ones?"
She soon had enough stones for several fire.
places. On her knees she saw Rosemary