Evening star., 1934-08-19
CHAPTER VII.

much sought A1teT stan plySlCldn. LII
Gillespie, whom her roommate. Bert Gu
lick. advises her to cultivate.
Now 80 on with the story.
CHAPTER VII.
~ AIDA usually telephoned her
M mother before she went home
WI to spend her afternoon of
4 ' i so that the long trip across
town should not be wasted in
case Mrs. Connell and Stanley had
other plans, but she had not expected
to be given time of on the Sunday
following the tornado, since Miss Fox
had favored her with afternoon hours
on Friday. Sunday was a sweltering
day, and after an unappetizing meal
of roast mutton and grape nuts ice
cream, Mazda got into street clothes
and left for home. longing for the
peace and GOODNESS of the old garden
almost as much as for the sight of her
family.
Hello, Charlotte" she said to the
maid who opened the door, aren't
you grand in your new green uni
form! Is mother imp"
"Yes, Miss Mazda. We're having
company this afternoon"
That's nice. feel in the mood for
a party"
Mazda peeped in the living room,
which was looking fresh and gay in
new chintzes, and sweet with garden
flowers, and then ran up to her
mothers room.
MAZDA dear, we didn't expect you
this afternoon. Sit down and tell me
what you have been doing. I'm always
so interested"
"You know the tornado last Thurs
day? We were practically in It"
Really? A miss is as good as q
mile, they say. Stanley was out with
Miss Barton-the Miss Barton-and
you can imagine how sheltered she
has always been. I knew her parents
would be very uneasy, and so, al
though had never met Mrs. Barton,
I just called her up and told her
that I knew Stanley would take the
very best care of her daughter, and
Mrs. Barton was really very sweet
about 1t. I shouldn't wonder II that
phone call, from one mother to an
other, might not lead to real friend
ship between U.s."
did they get home all right?"
"Oh, yes, they were in no danger" /"
Lots of people were hurt, mother.
You should have seen the ambulance
cases rolling in. We had cots lining
the halls"
Mrs. Connell made little grimace.
Now, Mazda, no horrors, please
Hnrr 81 he nwr
the way" she rippled on, I'VE are
having a guest for tea this afternoon.
Quite a particular guest. You've
heard of the Webbs, I suppose?"
Mazda shook her head.
We'll, they are new people here,
but enormously wealthy. I believe
they made their money in oil. STAN
ley says Mr.. and Mrs. Webb are too
funny, rough diamonds, you know,
but he admires their daughter Norine
so much. I think 1t shows q good
deal Of character in Stanley, because
the Webbs have not been taken up
by society, and some of Stanley's
friends rather joke him about it, but
he is so taken with Norine."
Mrs. Connell had an invincible dis
taste for naked truth, when 1t was
ugly. Stanley had evidently opened
his campaign in earnest, and had
been shrewd' enough to pick a girl
who was not getting by, in spite of
her wealth, and who must, therefore,
be grateful for his attention. How
much did her mother really believe
Of that pretty fiction about Stanley's
nobility in sticking to the girl he ad-
mired, in the face of ridicule from his
friends?
Stanley is bringing her here this
afternoon for tea. I've never met
her, although they have become such
good friends. Naturally, I want every
thing to be nice, for it looks as If
Stanley is really interested"
Yes, I understand" answered
Mazda, dryly. "The old F. F.. v. i'm
preston, since you cannot vie with
the Webbs' wealth."
There was a sound Of brakes on
the driveway, and in few moments
Stanley came in. He was wearing
linen golf knickers and looked hot
and cross.
rs that gorgeous car yours?" asked
Mazda.
Nothing gorgeous about it." he
snapped, instantly on the defensive.
Il can't possibly go with the crows I
do without car, and the old family
bus wouldn't do"
mo, suppose not. Don't be an
old bear; sit down and have q good
talk. You don't have to 60 for Miss
Webb yet, do you?"
mo, but have to change. Did
mother tell you about her? She
looks like a pretty good bet," said
Stanley with more animation.
Shes pretty little thing, too, and
easy to manage. She thinks mother
is one Of these grand danes, and she
is half scared to meet her, for fear
mother will look down on her"
'Is it all settled, them"
mo, it isn't. Don't run away with
that idea. Things are in a very deli
cate state. In fact, don't think the
old man likes me much"
Why not, should like to now?"
bristled Mrs. Connell.
We'll, not to put too fine a point
upon 1t, he has made some nasty
cracks about young whippersnappers
who don't work. But, say, I am on
the track Of something that will show
old Webb I am budding financial
genius"
And are you?"
"JuSt wait and see, my girl. ran
into a couple Of fellows the other
night-it was at Webb's house, by the
way-and toward the end of the eve
ming Harrington and washburn got
talking to me, and told me about
this proposition. 1t seems they had
their eye on me all evening, picked
me out as a keen young fellow with
plenty of savvy, and enough money
SO that I could afford to take Q
chance"
Mrs. Connell threw MAZDA a glance
of pride, as if to say. Even strangers
know how to appreciate him!"
you see, mother, it's Just as these
fellows pointed out. Any one can take
his money and make per cent on 1t
and that's all any one ought to make
when he has to be careful about his