Evening star., 1934-04-28
kESTlESS NOMEN
BY JANE DIXON

Friday night. Food, wine, the caterer,
at once!"
Sandra turned to meet the chal-
lenge in her mothers eyes, her moth
er's voice. She said, II haven't an
idea what's to be done about it,"
There's only one way out" said
Mrs. Reynal. "You must 60 to your
Uncle Raoul"
Mention of the name brought San
dra to her feet, slim body taut, mo-
bile lips with an upward tilt at their
corners. straight and tight. you'll
have to find another detour," she said
brusquely. That ones closed"
"You mean you refuse to ask your
Uncle Raoul for loan?" Distress sent
Mrs. Reynals voice sirening high
treble.
Il mean that begging from the Owl
is the one thing will not do" Since
childhood Sandra had called Raoul
Reynal, her fathers brothei, the
owl" There was a deep seated af-
fection between them-an affection
founded on sympathetic understand
ing, on that alchemy of human beings
which draws two individuals one to
the other, stronger even than the
blood tie.
"You must!" Mrs. Reynal COM
manded. "It isn't as If you were ask
ing favor Of stranger. Raoul owes
it to u.s. It's Reynal money-your
fathers money. Raoul can't see us
penniless-his brothers widow, his
brothers children-living in PEN
ury-"
"Sandharbors a long way from
penury," Sandra countered. 'You
seem to forget that the Owl sent us
here, paid for this cottage, and gave
us enough besides to live decently for
the season"
"Decently? A few wretched dollars.
Not enough to see us through a
month. living as we do. had to
pay the smallest deposit could man
age on the cottage. We've used the
remainder for bare necessities Of life.
Practically an entire seasons rent to
pay and the tradespeople cutting us
off. It's unbearable. I can't stand it."
Then don't. darling" Sandra turned
an eager face toward her mother.
AiCiS "do 4ioPC AL AlCA ciIlAAO. LCt
go to town. Val and I will find some
thing to do. We could pay off part
Of the debts every week. every month
The people we owe would wait if
they knew We honestly wanted to be
square with them. We could take a
trick apartment some place-nothing
splashy, just parking space"
"Sandra!" Mrs. Reynal collapsed
into chaise Tongue. Are you mad?
You would have my daughters work.
ing, living in a miserable hovel when
all my life has been a struggle to
place them where they belong-and
Valerie en- the eve of a romance that
will lift us all from this horrid night
mare! Poor. dear Valerie. Think Of
her losing her chance because you
are too heartless, too selfish to help"
Sandra shrugged her shoulders
f1icked a cigarette ash in the fire.
place. She asked: why doesn't Val
go to the Owl?"
"You know he hates us-Valerie and
me- We're Contis. It's different with
you. You're Reynal."
Don't blame the Owl" Sandra
fiared. you and Val haven't done
much to inspire affection. Gimme,
gimme, gimme"
Mrs Reynal began to whimper.
What can we do? Where can we
turn?"
II don't know what you can do.
Neither do you-because you've never
tried. Only don't try turning to me.
I'm through"
"Just this once more, Sandra. help
us. Ask your Uncle Raoul to see us
through this season. It's over In a
few weeks. Val is on the eve of
marriage. She will never have to
worry again. None of us will-ever.
Sandra, dear child-for your mother
for Val"
Mrs. Reynals hands we're clasped,
imploring. Sandra turned to the win
dow. She lit another cigarette
Il can't do it." she protested YEARLY
Il simply can't face the Owl-like
that"
"Sandra. I'm so alone, so help
less-just this once"
A moments silence. Then the fig
ure at the window rose, points of
steel glimmering down at the woman
crumpled on the chaise Tongue.
You win. For the last time. I'm
going to the Owl. Humble myself to
save our standing in this moth-eaten
community. I'm going begging for
you and for Val, not for myself After
that I'm hiring out-the first job I
can get"
"Sandra! My nerves! How can
you talk so when you know the state
I'm in?"
"As for VAL" Sandra continued, "I
haven't seen any gilded Romeos
dangling on her hook. I wish her
luck, though. If her marriage will
make you both happy, I'm for it."
Sandra crossed to the chaise Tongue,
elaborately coiffed head.
Don't go into vapor now, dar-
ling. Get the grand total of debts
and I'll drop in on the Owl. He
can't do more than give me the
gate"
Sandra called a cheerio and went
Gathering down the stairs, whistling
to drive back the tears. Tears of
anger that she had allowed her
mother to wheedle from her a promise
she had vowed she would not give;
tears Of revolt against a situation
which would force her once more to
lower her pride before one she sin