Evening star., 1934-05-29

rs wife and child-where?
ton. with what secret regret he re-
membered that hot-headed quarrel
which had ended with Harvey leav-
ing for the Orient. More than the
others he hated and resented this
girl Harvey had married. But for
her, jeffrey felt, the prodigal might
have returned to his family-might
have been alive and with them to-
day.
Miss Abby's sharp voice sounded
well. regardless Of whether or not
you like this strange creature
Shanghai Rose, I think you called
her, Barbara?-there still remains the
fact that Harvey married her, Kath-
erine." she addressed her sister-in-
law. land therefore her child is your
grandchild quite as much as Ursula s
children"
Ursula Prentiss looked up with
flashing eyes. What a thing to say,
Aunt Abby! Comparing my two boys
with this cabaret dancers brat!"
Your brothers child, my dear
don't forget that. I didn't invent re-
lationships," said the terrible old
woman, thoroughly enjoying herself.
Il am stating a simple fact; no need
for you to jump down my throat
I think they had little girl, you
said-Harvey and this-er-Shanghai
Rose?"
Jeffrey whirled with a tense line
about his mouth. I'VE won't 60 into
that just now, Aunt Abby, If you
please. Mother feels all this pretty
keenly. It's bad enough having to
have these services-so long after
like seeing Harvey die twice" he
muttered After a brief pause he
continued AT that, we're fools to
pay so much attention to this girls
arrival. When she finds she can't
bluff us to buying her on she'll clear
out quick enough. Just let us get
through tomorrow-you'l find the
thing will blow over"
Miss Abby looked up at him, Q
malicious spark in her old eyes. She
both admired and liked this hand.
some. imperious nephew.
Perhaps you're right, Jeffrey" she
said. with meekness which caused
him to eye her suspiciously. per.
haps you're right. I certainly hope
you are, Jeffrey, for all of your sakes
But doubt it,"
CHAPTER III.
N THE meantime. unaware of the
social earthquake attendant or
her arrival in Catherwood, Rose
L Therrold was busy about her owr
affairs in second-f1oor back bed
room at the National House.
A small room, filled with scratched
imitation golden-oak furniture and a
faided carpet. 1t was oppressively
close, this breathless August day. Rose
had looped back the stringy scrim cur.
tains and half-drawn the cracked
shade against the glare upfung by
fiat roofs outside.
For greater coolness she had removed
her dress. Clad only in brief step-in.
and lace brassiere, both faded from
many tubbings, she had unpackec
ner suit case and was washing the
naked baby in an attempt to get he]
cool.
Not at all what one might expect
from the scandalous gossip of Mrs
Pruitt and Mrs. Fleming. or from thu
contemptuous anger of the Therrolc
FAMILY. Looking at her, as she moved
ABOUT the ugly room, you would have
considered her only a pretty anc
rather tired-looking girl. The fam.
boyant title Of Shanghai Rose, anc
the flaming Oriental background Il
suggested, seemed almost ridiculousl,
inadequate.
She was Of medium height. yer,
slender, with the taperine ROUNDED
limbs OF a dancer. Her face was tor
tnln and. without its makeup. tor
pale Tor beauty; but there was some.
enlng haunting about the high cheek.
bones and the tapering chin. Tn,
oeep-set eyes, gray and lozenee-shsne,
In their dark lashes, were disturbine
eyes. which looked as though they
nad seen too much in few wears.
Patches of rouge stood out now 10,
sne was pale with the heat. and he,
lips were still colored a defiant
orange-red. as though she hoisted 8
banner against the world. Full lips
winch sometimes held a sullen line
Notnlng Sullen about them now. how.
ever, as she gently passed q wet wash.
rag over the childs small warm face
be good sport, now, old lady, anC
let Monte make you nice and cool
en-? Then you're going to lie down
ana make your eyes tight-shut ano
play it's nighttime. Won't that be
a nice gamer"
But the willy Kitten was not to be
caught by such obvious bait.
NO" she roared. Daytime! Don't
want to sleep!"
On, Kitten. dear. you're not going
to be naughty? Look at poor Micky
Mouse over there all tired out
ne is. and wants his nap. He wants
you to lie down with him, Kitten, and
help him Sleep"
Kittens manner implied where
Micky Mouse could 60 for all Of her
It'll be cooler when you wake up
honey. And you need a nap so. You
didn't sleep well last night"
Kitten twisted fretfully against the
washrag, her voice coming muffied
from its depths. "Why? Why, Nom
mie? Why I not sleep?"
Because you were on the train
Remember the big train we came on?
What noise did it make?"
When the reluctant Kitten had
fallen asleep Rose fingered for a mo-
ment looking down at the small, pale
face, noting blue shadows under the
heavy eyes, the thin arm about the
soiled but beloved Micky Mouse. The
child's hair chung to her forehead in
circles of dark gold. She was going
to be fair, like Harvey
Shaking back her own dark hair
from her face, Rose crossed to the
open window to stand looking out
leaning listlessly against the sill.
Over the tops Of the buildings lining