Evening star., 1934-06-23
SHANGHAI ROSE
By ANNE FORESTER
Author of Spite Wts."

and spirit in a world of thin gray
shadows. ..
"Well, Jeffrey?" Miss Abigail's voice
from her dim corner. Her faded dark
eyes shining with some inner excite
ment, her thin face almost expression
less in the dusk.
I'm sorry, Aunt Abby; I was think
ing" he said. He lit another cigarette
with nervous movements Of his hands,
swapping the lighter shut with click
The low-hung sky was brighter now
after the furry of rain, but within
the room itself the twilight had deep
ened. He pulled the thick silk cord
which flooded the room with light
and when he spoke it was to revert
to the topic which had really brought
him here today his worry about
the reports he had received from
abroad his more recent worry
about this man Deering's reliability
as an agent for the mill.
You were right about that syndi-
cate business, Aunt Abby" said
Jeffrey Therrold. They've refused to
take our goods unless we discount that
old note. 1t means taking a direct
loss-it's hold-up, but we're in for
it. We can't let that shipment OF
silk come back on our hands"
Miss Abby shifted and settled her.
self further back in her chair.
Which simply brings US back in
circle, doesn't ito the subject
am trying to discuss with you2" she
said. Just what, If anything, Jeffrey
my dear boy, do you know Of this
agent of yours?"
"Deering? Now don't let's 60 into
that again-please! I know what you
would say that I trust people
too much. But Capt. behring's been
in China for years; he knows these
people, and, personally, think he's
as good as any one for the job.
can't say I like him-but that has
nothing to do with his ability. II We
could just keep the social tangles out
of business it would help a lott Tn
sorry this matter Of BabS had to CONF
up today. had rather counted
on a talk with you about the mill.
He had, indeed, counted on having
a talk with this dynamic, shrewc
counsellor, who had guided hin
through most of his adult life. Anc
now it was spoiled-he was too rest.
less, too exaSperated to concentrate
on the business he came to discuss
But they had been having party a
home when he left. He made a WY
grimace at the thought of goint
back. Voices, pitched in varying
keys of ascending laughter, the sick.
ening odor of gardenias, the cloyins
sweetness of sandwiches and drinks
Tubby Martin forever leaving
the room with an empty cocktail
| shaker, returning with it full
Irene Fleming that impossible
red-haired girl from Detroit
Barbara glowering one moment, the
next almost Historically gay
Ursula, Bill Prentiss, his mother
saccharine comments and admoni
| tions.
He was sick of it. jeff told himself
Sick of parties and empty promise
on the part of business associates anC
the responsibility of looking after (
family that did nothing but thwar
him at every turn.
On a stand beside Miss Abby's chat
| was a silver punch-bowl filled witt
roses. Deep-hearted yellow roses, fill
ing the warm room with fragrance.
like the scent of those bushes tina
had dropped in the rain that nigh
he had brought Rose Therrold hom
| from q dance.
With an exclamation, almost
growl of disgust, the man flung him
self moodily down on the hassocl
beside Miss Abby's chair. Something
of the gesture of the small boy Jeffrey
come to ask forgiveness for a rude
ness or a folly long ago. Somethin,
| of the old-time hesitant embarrass