Evening star., 1934-03-18
CHAPTER vi.
ORDEAL FOR JUDY.

"OM BEVINS went on:
you forget I've known Nor
man all of his life. lived in the
i same block with him since the
day he was born. He Is as
generous as can be with things he
likes, but he won't share anything he
loves with any one.
Il remember a woolly lamb he had
when he was little tike. He loved
that thing, wouldn't put 1t in his play
box for fear my daughter Mathilda
would get it. And, of course, that
was the very thing she wanted e.
but this isn't getting to work, is it,
Judy?"
Judith shook her head. She had
almost forgotten Big Tom had a
daughter, she spent so much of her
time away at school, or abroad She
would like to have heard more Of
Norman's childhood.
About your leaving me-" Bevins
went on. IT had supposed you would
want to be free as soon as our sur
vey reports were completed, so
made arrangements for young Good
win to take your place OF course
I'm selfish enough to have wanted
you in the field while the dam was
under construction, but then :" he
shrugged his shoulders.
I'VE could wait until it was fin-
ished," offered Judith.
"No-no," protested Bevins quick
ly. Il want to see you married to
the boy. l couldn't have wanted a
finer lad for my own SON." he
stopped as though startled by an idea,
then went on-"sort of feel I'll be
doing Emil favor seeing his daugh-
ter safe" his voice dwindled off
and he looked out across the intense
blue of the Gulf as though he were
seeing far beyond Judith's physical
vision.
Judith watched him, grey eyes ten
der. Next to her fathers memory
she loved Big Tom. They spent so
much time together. Unhappy at
home, he would wait until his wife
and daughter s'arted one Of their in
Vulnerable tr, then would visit
Judith's apartri~ Mt, content to mingle
with her friends.
She was heartened by the thought
that he might use her home, hers
and Norman's, as a retreat from his
loneliness.
Suppose We get after these re-
ports" suggested Bevins, and the two
bent their heads over maps and note
books filled with figures.
Twilight was sweeping up from the
east when Judith and Norman found
riY11n hn a1nTn tnoathnr Go1-
weston, still bathed in the last rays OF
the sun. but showing twinkling jetty
lights, lay to the starboard.
Did I tell you I sent a wire to
mother from Rio Mar?" Norman in
quired as they stood on deck.
oh" 1t was a quick breathed re-
ply. OF course he had a mother, but
she'd forgotten Mrs. j. Anthony Dale
must play an important part in their
life. Hope she'll like me-"
''She will. She's been wanting me
to marry and move into house of
my own for long time"
Judith WINGED. Mothers Of only sons
usually had the girl chosen when they
admitted a desire for them to marry.
What makes you think she does?"
has grown up around it until it's like
living in a boiler factory Then, of
course, you know. mother is bridge
fan and I'm tempted to believe she'd
like to move into some residential
hotel where she would have enough
partners to play from dawn to dawn"
oh" Judith's tone was less skep-
tical "but you have such a lovely
home. ella pointed it out to me one
day."
She was silent a moment and Nor
man. turning saw her brow furrowed.
Now what's worrying you?" he asked.
Just this" She turned toward
him, booted feet braced to the sway Of
the deck, as they turned into the
channel, hands in breeches pockets,
khaki shirt open at the throat
Norman, you're everything
shouldn't marry all rolled up into one
man. You're an indoor man and