Evening star., 1934-06-09
CHAPTER XIV.


<YT DOES seem-a shame-that
- things couldn't have been diff
ferent," Larry said when Rose
i told him that night.
He looked down at the sleep
ing Kitten. held close in Roses arms,
clutching. even in sleep. at the very
chewed ear of her beloved Mickey
Mouse. After all, there are so
many things the Therrolds could
give her"
"Things!" Rose held the small limp
body close with an almost passionate
hunger.
Handmade dresses and French
lessons-and how to use the right
fork" she said moodily. You're
right-they could give her everything
in the world. except
Except what, Rose?"
Understanding" Roses eyes raised
to Larry's held somber glow and she
spoke on an odd, strained note.
I've done lot of thinking in the
last week or two," she said. "and 1t
all boils down to just this. The things
1 once thought important for Kitten
aren't important, at all. She's like
me, Larry-more like me every day.
But she must never do the sort
of thing I've done all my life-things
like that scene this afternoon"
She drew a deep, quivering breath.
Baby though she is, she's sensitive
and highstrung right now"
And emotional and imaginative,
Larry added with a grin. Don't be
foolish-say, if I'd been in your shoes
at that post Office this afternoon"
"I know" Rose smiled family. But
I don't want Kitten to be like that.
She'll need careful handling-and
understanding-and love. I wasn't
particularly proud of myself this
afternoon. I want her to learn to
grow an armor, you see not TO
let things matter so much. No
body ever taught me"
Watching her. carrying the sleeping
baby into the little bed room, the man
made no reply.
For over a week now" Lottie
prophesied darkly from her corner,
i've seen bad luck for that Barbara
Therrold in the cards. Just tonight
in my tea leaves there was tall man
coming into her life" She paused,
adding with calm relish: I'm three"
In a what?" chorused her listeners,
with more than ordinary surprise.
I'm a three" Lottie repeated dis
passionately. THE cards may lie, Miz'
Therrold, but my tea leaves never has
yet"
Whether the tall man was to come
w. he fhraa
not even Larry-could get her to say.
Larry was not himself tonight.
Something was on his mind.
Rose had come to know this sud-
den. sometimes puzzling trick of
lapsing from a high mood into an
abysmal gloom, and as often as not
veering back to it again. But this
mood was different. Almost he seemed
embarrassed, and embarrassment with
Larry was something to conjure with.
Restlessly he rose and began NOV
ing about the house, with an inde-
cision totally unlike his usual force.
Poking into cupboards. descending on
the pantry. Pausing now and then for
a quick, keen look at Rose.
Look here" he said finally, in an
oddly irresolute tone. why can't we
go on a real party, you and I? Go
places and ring doorbels and see
people-eh?"
His voice held a deprecatory in
flection. It was almost as though ne
feared her answer, feared that she
might refuse.
There's going to be dance at the
Country Club Saturday night, ne
hurried on. IF I got a bunch OF
newspaper folk to come along, would
you go with me, Rose-make 1t real
party-what do you say?"
But, Larryl The Country Club!
Doesn't one have to belong?"
"Belong?" He laughed mildly and
T-Bone, lying close beside his chair.
twitched an ear Standardization and
snored derisively.
Newspaper people" Larry explained
patiently, don't have to belong to
things. The whole town will turn
out-they'n be tickled pink to have
us-it's the last dance of the sea
son. How about 1t, Rose; Will
you go?"
Rose lifted her gaze to the dim
white bulk Of the Country Club on
the knoll across the river. Then. as
though the very thought didn't make
her breath come short and tighten
the fibers of her heart, she said quiet
ly: why, yes, Larry-of course-Td
be glad to-"
He was instantly afire with en-
thusiasm. running his fingers with the
old familiar gesture through his al
ready tousled hair.
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