Evening star., 1935-10-14

"But you nave JoO! JoAiliiiy
sounded discouraged again.
isn't it wonderful luck? I'll feel
like princess living in that gorgeous
house. Do you know something?"
"What?"
1--WE never had anything but blue
uniform in my life. Can you imagine
that? I'm II and I've never had a
green dress or yellow dress or a
lavender dress"
"I'll bet you'll look like an angel"
Johnny got up and went over to sit
by her chair again. 'I'll paint a
picture of you in your first party
gown"
And when we're old and rich, u
Sugar laughed, well look at it and
wonder how one silly little dress could
ever have meant so much to us"
Won't our grandchildren have a
thrill. thought" Johnny grinned. II
suppose I'll have to spend hour after
hour telling them of the days when
We were poor little orphans. thrown
on a cruel world with just the duds
on our backs"
Sugar giggled and felt suddenly
shy-Johnny talking about their
grandchildren!
You're very silly" She pushed
him over on his heels again and
started to get up.
But suddenly Johnny's arms were
around her, pinning her close, and
his cheek was warm and tight against
her face.
Sugar he choked boyishly, "wiil
you promise me something's"
"Of course" she replied, a little
afraid of what he was going to say
and not knowing quite why.
II know it's asking lot" he hes
itated, when I haven't thing in
the world to offer you. But after
get a job and earn little money
will you marry me?"
Sugars heart began to beat so rap
idly she could scarcely breathe
Johnny was asking her to marry him
For a moment she couldn't speak, and
Johnny mistook her silence for dis
approval.
Il know" he drew away. "Of
course you don't love me. You
couldn't-a wonderful girl like you"
"Oh-but I, I'm sure do love
you-Johnny," Sugar almost whis-
pered. "There-couldn't be any one
but you-if-if I ever did marry"
A great load dropped off Johnny's
heart. He put her warm little hand
to his lips and kissed her palm.
you're such little bittie girl" ne
said tenderly. You don't understand
those things yet. But a fellow does
I know what the world is like, even II
haven't seen much of it. I want to
marry you and take care OF you. You
need a man to look after you"
Right then Sugar felt years older
than Johnny. But she couldn't be
cruel enough to tell him so. Johnny
who was so afraid of life and what
it held for them. Somehow, Sugar
couldn't feel that way about it. 1t
was a glorious adventure, a chance
to do all the things she had dreamed
about.
She wanted so much to say the
right thing, and to be kind. So she
said primly. Honey, we're so youne
to think Of things like that. Ol
course, I'll never love any one as
love you. But we must make some
thing worth while of ourselves before
we get married"
Maybe you'll change your mind,
Johnny grinned happily. "It-it'i
such a relief to know there isn't any
one else you could-care for. I'm not
going to worry about that, anyway
But will you promise me something?
Just one little thing?"
What is it, johnny"
promise me you will marry me
when we are older and I'm able to
take care Of you"
Sugar hesitated.
"All right, JOHNNY promise
"She buried her face in his shoulder
Johnny lifted her head and took
the little round face between his
hands. She dropped her eyes and
wondered how she could ever feel so
shy when it was only Johnny.
kiss me, darling" the boy begged
bashfully.
Sugars face famed. She tried to
look up. But she couldn't look at
Johnny just then. Gently he pulled
her to him and found her lips. It
was a kiss without passion, soft and
childish, that plighted their troth.
Johnny stood up and raised Sugar
to her feet. With his arm around
her they walked to the steps Of the
porch.
Look" he pointed to the trees and
flowers bathed in moonlight. Look,
honey. Isn't it beautiful? I'll always
remember tonight, won't you?"
"Oh, yes" Sugars eyes filled with
tears. Always, Johnny"
IT forgot something" the little
artist laughed softly. Something very
important"
What did you forget?"
1.-TWO things. First, forgot to say
love you, And I forgot to put a
diamond ring on your engagement
finger. Most girls wouldn't get en-
gagged without that"
Sugar laughed tenderly.
SILLY! As if money and diamonds
and things like that matter when you
really love somebody"
"Most girls wouldn't think that
way" Johnny declared earnestly.
Women are such mercenary crea-
lures"
You sound terribly experienced.
Where have you been seeing all these
mercenary women?" Sugar tried to
look piqued, but she was very much
amused at Johnny's pretended wis
dom.
"A fellow finds out lot of things, /"
Johnny answered enigmatically. Even
in this place. Besides, I can read,
you know. I know all about women" I"
Sugar shook with mirth inside, but
tried to keep her face straight. Johnny
didn't like to be laughed at. He was
very sensitive. Her arm frightened
around his waist a little and she