Evening star., 1934-02-25

, HEN Michele was 8, Pat Gore
Smith said We'll, thank you,
n J Miss Bennett, I appreciate your
NM help, immensely"
When she a. he said
I'll take the matter under
sdvisement, young lady"
But when she was 20: run along back to
the nursery child and stop botherng me-"
That she muttered Indignantly was life
for you.
early July morning. hoated in through the win
dows. Gore-Smith's study was cool, perfect
for accomplishing all the work that lay before
him, but when Michele closed the door behind
her, he pushed his papers away.
He waited for the sound OF her retreating
footsteps and hearing none, knew that she
was still standing there
He thought: How absurd. Either send her
away or invite her in again. What's come over
you lately?"
And aloud: 1T know you're there, Michele
funny Either come in or go away" He spoke
casu ally.
The door opened slowly and she came back
She sat on the arm of a wing chair opposite
him and said "Please-I'm not a child any
more. Please Pat, don't say that about the
nursery
II might call to your attention the fact that
only the very young are loath to be reminded
Of their youth, but. OF course. 1 wouldn't oe SO
cruel Michele. Sometimes may I send you
away grown up or not, if you become serious
nuisance?"
"If you do it the right way" She was smil-
ing now. IF you say: Michele, you are my
guiding star, you bring all that is beauty ana
happiness into my life-but there are tlmes'
my dear when I can attend to my serious
duties better without you. You go to my head
There. Say it and I'll CO."
She waited quietly
Michele you are my guiding star. You
bring all that is beauty and happiness into my
b
second: "I forget the rest"
\ lICHELLE tilted back her head and stared
WI at the ceiling. smile played about her
generous mouth, and Pat wondered what could
make her suddenly happy. He wondered If any
painter ON earth could ever reproduce that
beautiful throat and tilted chin those round,
brown eyes-aI, any, of the lovellneSS tnat
was his best friends daughter.
Gore-Smith was 40-just; a classmate and
intimate friend of Michelles father, Ronald
Bennett It was after her mothers death 10
years before, and Ronald's subsequent break
down and move to the country that Pat had
bought the adjoining piece of property In the
foothills of the Berkshires that they both
loved
Pats 40 years sat lightly on him. He was
tall man, muscular and lean. Something OF
the free active life he led showed in his un-
lined face the clearneSs of his brown eyes,
Michele used to say: "You might really be my
Uncle Pat" for they were both so tall and dark,
but lately, since his last return from Europe
several months before, she had apparently
forgotten the relationship.
She said now, still smiling up at the ceiling:
''What really came for was to ask you to
have dinner with me tonight. Paddy Is taking
the O'Clock from Millerton-something about
Wall Street and investments shall be
alone Will you? There will be short cake
n"
you don't have to urge me- you know, dar-
ling"
Good. what"-she hesitated-T mean,
what would you like me to wear?"
say: My, but you're growing upl" but
afraid Of offending her, afreSh.
something StarChed and frilly," he suggested.
"would you like organdie with eyelets?"
He thought: Good Lord what's that?" and
said: IT should love it."
co THAT night Michele greeted him in a
~ white organde that was demure and ankle
length and very full.
He told her that she looked beautiful And
che said: Really PatY" as though her very life
depended on it.
He felt a feeling excitement; he couldn't
understand himself. And then, slowly. he be-
gan to understand. Every year there had not
been this new Michele, Towering into woman
hood, eager tremulous That was it. Nor had
they dined like this-since intimately and
alone
you aren't listening to a word I'm saying"
And there was no use telling her that he was.
Forgive me. was thinking back little"
Were you thinking-ahead, ct ALP" Her
cheeks were deepest rose.
IT was thinking of-now"
us" she said, SOFTLY Together Hike this