Evening star., 1935-12-30
CHAPTER XVI.

Ddk1n was DuSy Win her COI1ee. 1ney
waited for Bob to go on.
Its going to be tough on Miss
Brannan," he said.
DR.. Dakin looked at Kay, and Kay
said through trembling lips: II don't
deserve any consideration! knew
what we were doing"
Bob's father asked gently: "You
had both been drinking?"
Kay said: "I had, yes!"
Bob nodded ruefully. "Yes, Of
course" he agreed. He made harsh
gesture. Its terribly hard on you
two" he said in deep contrition.
Mrs. Dakin met Kay's eyes again.
Her own were serious and grave, but
not hostile. Il had rather it had
happened in another way" she as
sented. Even if I knew Miss Brannan
better"
Kay was cold. She shivered mis-
erably.
IT must tell you" she said honestly.
ST had never met your son, but Gene
We've had told me about him" She
hesitated My life had been moving
in wrong directions this past year,"
she confessed. II was-trying to make
people like me. trying to be gay and
bright and pretty, trying so desperate
ly." She smiled ruefully. Il wanted
to be married." she whispered. ITO
any one!"
She looked at Mrs. Dakin. But
I did not plan this. I did not know
It was your son in the boat" she
said. II had to egt away from the
yacht, and he came by. And afterward,
when he wanted us to get married, I
tried to make myself-Stop him"
No one spoke, and she said, half
TO herself: Il tried to stop him, but
wanted to marry him. 1t seemed
like my chance to get hold of >urne-
thing fine. I warned Bob that If he
did marry me I would never let
him go; that I'd fight to keep him"
She looked at Bob. His head was
bowed.
But you're-so nice" she whis-
pered, her eyes brimming. You
haven't ragged, or-anything. I can't
do it now!"
DR.. Dakin watched her.
1T can be annulled, or something,
can't it?" she asked, pleading with
HIM
Bob's father looked at Mrs. Dakin
consulting her with long glance,
exchanging counsel with her without
words. They seemed to come to a
decision before he said at last:
"I think that is for you and Bob
to decide" He spoke reflectively, with
out passion. Mrs Dakin and I have
tried to guide Bob Alright, advise and
help him. Without much success, I
am afraid"
"It wasn't his fault" she urged.
"He didn't really know"
"a man has to stand by what he
does" DR.. Dakin told her. He can
not dodge the responsibility for his
actions"
I'll go away" she said. ut can
be kept quiet! No one need know!"
Her cheeks were crimson. 81 knew
about Miss Hyde" she confessed.
"Genevieve had told me- suppose
Miss Hyde will have to know, but
I'll make it as easy for you all as
I can"
Mrs. Dakin asked gravely: What
will you do?"
whatever you want me to-" Kay
told her.
The older woman shook her head.
ct don't mean that. I mean-where
will this leave you? What will your
life be, after this?"
Kay found no way to reply.
Bob spoke haltingly. "I suppose
we've got to-wash this out, some
how" he reflected. Father, you can
suggest something"
I'll help you, in whatever way you
both wish" DR.. Dakin assented. That
goes without saying. You know, Bob,
I'm always ready to help you. But
I can't help you make the decision.
That is for you two"
Bob looked at Kay, long and stead
fly. This is rough on you," he told
her I'm sick about it."
She shook her head, trying to smile.
"Don't think about me-" she begged.
Mrs. Dakin suggested: Hadn't you
better telegraph your friends in New
London, Bob? They will have missed
you" She added: And then you
both need rest and sleep. If I were
you wouldn't try to decide any
thing for while"
Bob nodded. "Ill tell them I had
TO come back to operate" he agreed,
and rose and went into the hall. They
could hear him at the telephone.
Mrs. Dakin pushed back her chair,
and DR.. Dakin came to help her rise.
She smiled at Kay. Suppose you
come upstairs with me-" she sug-
gested. Let me put you to bed. A
few hours of sleep"
"I'll go home" Kay demurred. IT
can't stay here"
The older woman shook her head
gently. This Is your home now"
she reminded Kay. Bob has no other,
you know"
Kay's throat was full "I've nothing
but what I have on" she said husk- |
fly. "No-clothes!
I'm sure can find something for |
you," Mrs. Dakin insisted. Come"
And Kay submitted. With Mrs.
Dakin leaning on her arm, they
stepped into the elevator. DR.. Dakin
stayed downstairs with Bob. The
elevator bore them to an upper floor,
and Mrs. Dakin's maid, a tall woman |
with iron gray hair, opened the doors !
Of the car.
Mrs. Dakin said pleasantly: "This
Is Bobs wife, HannahI She is going |
10 sleep a while. viii you get her |
one of my nightgowns, and then per- |
haps she would like you to give her a
massage, as you do me"
Hannah departed and Mrs. Dakin |
led Kay into a dim. high-ceiled room |
where peace and dignity resided. And |
Kay, suddenly, could no longer hold |
back the tears.
"I'm so sorry, and ashamed" she |
whispered, clinging to the older wom- |
an. "You and DR.. Dekin are so kind |
~ vrnaIO