Evening star., 1934-09-10

UEOb1cTs IL was no SfTlAH MhJbcL bO
have a man make the magnificent
gesture Of loaning your young scamp
of a brother $4,000. but the circum-
stances under which Gerald had
made that gesture impressed Mazda
most of all.
They had parted in anger: they
were through with each other for
ever. Yet Gerald, because he valued
her, because he really cared for her
happiness, had done this. He must
love her. Oh, she had known for
some time that he believed himself
in love, but she had thought it was
a selfish love, the desire Of the mas
terful man to have what is denied
him. Now she saw things different
ly. He had been selfish, casual at
first, but Mazda could no longer
doubt that his feeling for her was
deep and sincere.
She heard the clatter of the sup
per trays in the corridor and her
mind came back to the workaday
world with a start. She was a ro-
mantle idiot to build such day
dreams on the fact that Gerald had
offered to lend her brother money.
What If it was large sum? Money
meant nothing to him. If Gerald
Pryde had really loved her, he would
not have gone out Of her life with
out further word after his insultingly
casual proposal had been squelched,
as it deserved.
Don't be an utter fool" she ad-
monished herself sternly, and sat up
to eat her supper.
Greetings How's the lady "wres-
tler?" read the card propped against
the hot rolls, and adorned with one
of McCann's ridiculous drawings.
Mazda had always admired the at
tractive china with which the pa
vilion trays were set, and she enjoyed
its looks almost as much as the taste
of the creamed Sweetbreads which
formed the main dish. She was
lying back against her pillows, placid,
when she heard Bert ushering in her
mother.
"Oh, she's fine, Mrs. Connell. 1t
takes more than that to put her
down."
my darling child" screamed Mrs.
Connell, emotionally, do you know
me? have been half crazy with
anxiety"
She stopped suddenly, took in the
picture OF daughter looking quite
healthy and contented, beside tray
which was cleaned to the last crumb,
and then said in an aggrieved voice,
But thought you were sick?"
IT was afraid you would be wor-
ried, mother. They shouldn't have
told you anything about it."
But why are you in bed?"
"Oh, I got into little argument
with crazy woman. I'll be all right
in no time"
"A little argument!" snorted Bert.
"Why, Mrs. Connell, she is a heroine.
This woman tried to 60 into the
nursery and murder all the babies,
and MAZDA stuck with her and fought
her off until help came, although the
woman was choking her and stabbing
her with scissors"
Pipe down, Bert. Don't be a goof.
I'm all right, mother; hardly hurt at
ALL"
I'm glad, dear. Oh, I have had
such a day! DO you know what your
brother has, done?"
"Yes. he wrote me-"
''He did?" Mrs. Connell seemed a
bit taken aback at losing the oppor-
tunity to break the news herself.
well, Of course, wasn't surprised:
I've been looking for something of
the sort, but 1 do think it was
naughty of Stanley not to give us
more notice"
do you feel very badly about 1t,
mother?" asked Mazda. 1t was
going to be a hard job to comfort
Mrs. Connell for the loss of her
darling, but Mazda thought it a good
plan to get her to talk, and thus
tighten the load of her grief and dis
appointment.
"Oh, no, understand they wanted
to take advantage of this wonderful
cruise. I went to see him married,
of course. I must say Tootsie seems
crazy about him. I had a good talk
with her, and she plans to do every
thing for Stanley"
But mother-" Mazda was un-
able to hide her astonishment at
this change of face. Didn't you
object terribly to the marriage? I
thought you told me you dreaded
her influence on him, and then, she
is so DID,"
Shes not so old. She is younger
than am, and think I could make
man happy" bridled Mrs. Connell.
Il won't deny I opposed it at first.
but that was before I knew Tootsie.
She thinks the world of Stanley, and
being older, she can probably help
him settle down. have been a little
worried about him lately. And then,
you know" added Mrs. Connell, "she
is very wealthy woman. There Is
no doubt Stanley will outlive her. but
they will have a few happy years
first"
(To be continued.)