Evening star., 1933-09-10
NOBLESSE
By Josephine Benthnm
There Are Some Who in Defeat
Stand Gloriously Victorious

1T was always her shoulder straps" said the
housekeeper smiling. She always did yank
them right Off"
1t was funny, Beatrice thought. how every
body liked to wait on Margot Anderson. you
were talking about Margot" observed Beatrice
with certain wry humor.
Why yes. Didn't say?" And then, laugh
ing: oh know-I'm like an old mother cat
with her one kitten. But I've always been that
way Goodness knows was soft enough about
the others-the two that's married-but from
the first Miss Margot was my favorite."
You'll miss her when she's gone for good
Beatrice said slowly.
"Oh, but she won't be going as far away as
the others have. If she mcrries this young
chap they'll be living right in New York. I
imagine. Or wouldn't wonder if Miss Mar
gots father wouldn't persuade em TO stay
right here in the house"
You think she'll marry DR.. O'Neill?" asked
Beatrice, knitting the words neatly and care
fully over her agony.
Mrs Daugher,y fashioned an invisible knot
in the thread Of silk.
Yes 1 really do-between you and me-"
But imagine" Beatrice persisted, that
she's had all sorts Of chances"
well. naturally! But she's never been like
this about any of EN-. I ought to know, my
She does act that way" said poor Beatrice.
She's always laughing and all that"
She wouldn't show it, said Mrs. Daugh-
erty proudly. Shed never show 1t when she
was feeling anything real"
Il see" said Beatrice duly
Right now she's out the court teaching
him how to play tennis said Mrs. Daugherty,
chuckling. Il never saw her bother with any
body who wasn't any good before.
Margot Anderson came in from the court as
fresh as a breeze-with young Thomas O'Neiu
trailing rather wiltedly behind her.
Margot was wearing a sleeveless frock Of
white linen and little woolen socks were rolled
over her ankles. Around her dark head was
brgh. green ribbon. She very flushed and
more than ordinarily good to look upon.
I'm going to make Tom into another Til
den," she assured her father. Just wait.
Watch us grow!"
John Anderson greeted this boast with one
of his mighty laughs clapping his huge hand
on the young mans shoulder
Has she worn you out old chap"
"A little out of breath SIR" ONeill admitted
reluctantly.
oh that reminds me-we were talking last
night you remember-Miss Mum, I wonder
if you'd mind taking on an extra JOB? Dr
ONeill is anxious to get ahead with some
articles he's writing for medical journal
while he's staying with us. suggested that
If he to dictate"
"Of course" said Beatrice, half fearful Of
the great privilege that was shortly to be hers.
10 one else, probably, would have consid-
cred it a great privilege. Thomas O'Neill's
fame was Smau enOugn-dnO lie nmseu ~ao
timd as embarrassed boy by the booming
of his voice by the deferentially bent head of
the girl who was making important loops and
whirls of what the voice proclaimed.
so many of the words are technical-dif-
cult for you," he said apologetically.
oh I don't mind! can get the idea and
look them up afterward If I'm not sure" she
told him. "As a matter of fact-oh, beg your
pardon, I'm breaking into your trend OF
thought"
NO please 60 on What were you going to
say?"
well, it sounds silly-I didn't mean you to
think-as a matter of fact I was only going
to say that was terribly interested. In what
you're doing. OF course, it's not at all the same
thing-theres no comparison, naturally-but At
one time seriously considering being
nurse"
You'd have made q splendid nurse, think"
he said
She met his eyes helplessly. not moving how
to hide the bright color in her cheeks.
You're quiet Miss Num-" he said gently.
II imagine no one knows very much about
you"
"we're both quiet" she said quickly That
isl don't mean
I'm shy" he confessed suddenly. II wish
could get over It. Stammering, for instance.
Maybe you've noticed I stammer when I get
excited"
YES And I get cold Ny hands get just
like ice"
They looked at each other, smiling.
Funny" he said. 1--WE never made that
confession to anybody else I feel 80 at ease
with you, Miss Munn!"
She couldn't say anything She stared down
at the loops and whirls. Not in all her life
before had Miss Mum been aware OF the
beating of her own heart.
II think it's fine work you're doing!" she
told him fervently one day over her notebook
"It's not spectacular-lke great surgeons
work. But it's much more thrilling really.
much more VorthWhile!"