Evening star., 1934-02-25
go. The.
Most Important | hing
By Margaret Guion Herxeg
One of The Star Magazines
First-Run Stories.

Very" He reached across the table and
took her hand in his.
Shall we 60 out, dear?"
They stepped through the open door out
onto the lawn that sloped away from the house
down to the iris bordered brook.
For while neither Of them spoke, but It
seemed to Pat that the rushing of the little
stream was like the rushing of-what? Was
it life, overtaking them swiftly7 Destiny?
Love?
He turned and found that Michele was
looking at him
voice that yet had such beguiling roughness
to 1t: "You see, I love you differently now,
Pat darling. I might as well tell you so that
we may be happy in this new way. That is
if-if you-" she faltered Her bravery was
gone.
"Oh, dear God" he breathed If I love you'll"
and he took her into his arms.
Far away, q church bell rang out family:
and silent prayer rose to Pats lips: Help
me to make her happy Lord" even as a dread
ful, wondering doubt shot through his heart
1t didn't really get him In its grip until he
had left her; waited-loverlike-for the light
to go out in her window, and walked well up
the hill toward the house where he had dwelt
SO long alone. Then away from the spell of
her enchantment those fears possessed him,
and he realized what he had done
Twenty and-40 Her fathers classmate He
might have been her father.
Even before he reached his funny little
square houSe-he knew
No use to stand up straight and lean and
tail; to clench your fists and feel the strong
muscles ripple up and down your arms; to ex-
pand your broad chest. You are young enough,
now, but in few years? Then? She will be
80, young, still young; and you will be So
"Ah. Ronnie, what would you think? Your
little daughter-and Ole Pat. Ole man Gore
Smth?"
He groaned aloud and knew he must make
her understand. somehow, quickly before the
Will to be wise and strong had left him.
IE WOULD go to the University Club in
New York, where Ronald, her father.
stayed. They would have breakfast together.
and-without telling him everything-he would
suggest that they try to have her meet some
young people. He would get in touch with his
nephew, Tommy Gore Smith. Let's see he was
a senior at Yale.
1t was light now, but a gray drizzly sort Of
day. Appropriate, he thought. Drab as the rest
OF his life would be. And when he reached
the University Club. and entered its somber,
sedate portals, he thought: Here is where I
belong-with these dignified gentlemen"
He went up to Ronald Bennet's room
well, Pat, ole fellow-hello!" cole fellow.
ole Pat@) What are you doing in town on
this filthy day2"
He had Just finished shaving, and Pat
newly conscious Of such thtngs-noticed the
wrinkles at his collarless throat; the fat look
Of his chest beneath his mdershirt. Ronnie
had been through lot Of sorrow and sickness
but still
"we1l, I had to see my broker, 50 thought
I'd stop by for a bit of breakfast Shall we
have It up here2"
And presently, Pat managed to bring the
conversation round to Michele
II had dinner down at your house last night
You know. Ronnie, I've been thinking that we
ought to do something about Michelles meeting
some young people, her own age. OF course
she's still pretty much of a kid, but one has
to think of the possibilities Of her marrying
some day-or; doesn't one?"
H0nnle smiled. "One-doeS, I suppose"
What mean to say is, not knowing much
about life, and men, she might suddenly take
it into her head to fall in love with the first
person who came along-or some entirely
unsuitable" He paused In other words,
think she should get to know some young
people men"
so you said at the beginning" Ronnie was
laughing at him, q little. We'll, let's have 1t,
then. Know any?"
"I think could round up some. There's my
nephew, Tommy. understand hes turned out
to be q very attractive chap. But It's more
serious than Just stirring up some fun for
Michele, Ronnie. It's safeguarding her future.
that I'm thinking off,
Bennet folded his napkin carefully
HAS anything happened? Did she say any,
thing last night. that suddenly awoke you to
her-danger?"
"The idea has been fermenting for some
time" Pat evaded. II don't think you quite
realize how grown-up she is, old man. Why,
good Lord. you might bring out some good
looking fellow our own age, and"
II don't think should like 1t at albany
more than you" Michelle's father appeared to