Evening star., 1934-09-09

you see
Her child's face crumpled pathetically.
She stood twisting her hands, awkward,
defenseleSs. Her mother looked at her.
She was pale and heavy-eyed, but her
voice was level.
II give it up Joan," she said, you'll
have to go your own way. Any parent
who can't protect a child should admit
herself failure. Hereafter leave you
to make your own decisions. No, Rolfe,"
as her husband made gesture of pro-
test, "I can't be at war with my own
daughter, and she has no faith in me-"
JOAN sat alone in her room They
were going to leave her alone, then,
just as she'd wanted. Mother had shut
a door against her. Funny she should
feel panicky and chilled at the thought.
Kathie came in. She sat down quietly
and laid a small hand on Joan's knee.
"Tm engaged to Terry German" she said
finally. "It's wonderful, JOAN"
Joan stared at her. Suddenly she had
to ease the torment at her breast. But
Dick Shelby" she blurted out. Dick
Shelby, Kathie!"
Kathie stared, then she flushed but
her violet eyes were serene. did you
see that?" she asked. That's shame,
honey. I was such dope. I thought
it was worldly or something to have a
married man after me- led him on and :
then was in a jam and couldn't stall
about walking in the garden with HIM.
I was too proud to ask NUNS because
she'd warned me he had wandering
eye. hated it, but didn't want to seem
simple, you know. You just can't handle
things Anyway, howled for days over
it, but Terry was swell. Oh, Joan"
"You can't handle things? But
you're 1872
Kathie laughed ruefully "All of that"
she conceded. But you should know
how it is-you're almost never too young
to get into mesSeS unless you're cross
eyed or bow-legged or awfully wet some
way. Listen, kid, do something with your
face, will you? You can borrow my pow
der-I don't want Terry to think you
have the mango or leprosy; and then
come down and meet him. I'm so happy,
I'm dizzy"
Joan sat still a minute after Kathie
left The world was whirling in reverse,
just beginning to settle into place. Her
mother; the home where you could be
your youngest when you needed to-;
Kathie, for all her 18 years. with situa-
tionS beyond her control. She swallowed
fresh sobs. If only Mummy could for
give her
She bathed her face in cold water used
Kathie's powder. On the way downstairs
she met her mother coming up. Some
how Joan was in her arms before either
spoke. Then her mother exclaimed
breathlessly: Darling, was so cross"
and Joan contradicted, NUNS, darling,
I was so dumb"
All the bliss Of reconciliation. Joan
went soberly down the stairs. Life was
right again, only, here they, the big
people, were right and she was young
and forgiven. 1t was all so fiat.
She jumped as a voice hissed at her.
There was Frank. She grinned at him.
Say" he said, "say, listen! Were you
smooth! Putting over something on Rud
Barton. Why, he's seniorl''
At the honest admiration in his blue
eyes Joan Strengthened After all, she
hadn't been so bad. OF course, it was a
mistake, but it had been smooth.
How the dickens did you do it?" de-
manded Frank. What girl! Park
yourself and tell me-"
He sat on the grass beside her. It was
fun to be back in young world again
and know her stock had risen. She met
his eVaS hanDiIv and OioUlod