The Washington times., 1935-09-11


parched. There had been no
rain for days. The pungent
smell Of drying grass behind
her made her family dizzy.
Through a blur of tears Helen
watched a spider spin a web.
Her handkerchief was a wet
ball. With her sleeve she
wiped her eyes and suddenly a
big clean handkerchief was
thrust under her nose and she
felt herself drawn to a big
flat expanse of shirtfront on
which to lay her throbbing
head.
"Helen, darling, my sweet, my
golden girl"
"Oh, Lester, when did you get
here"
Just now. saw you from
the road. Didn't you ask me
here for the weekend and is
this the way you greet me,
Niobe, all tears! Now tell me,
why are you weeping?"
His voice was so deep and
tender that she found herself
telling him all about Anastasia,
Walter, Dirk.
The sun sank into the sky
in a ball of blood. The air
grew cool and why. He never
interrupted. She talked and
talked, and as shadows began
to fall softly across the grass
she felt better and she stopped.
When they arrived at the
farmhouse, two hours late for
dinner, Helen and Lester were
engaged.
well be married Christmas"
Lester proclaimed blithely, his
eyes glowing. I'm for an i'm
mediate wedding myself -"
"Oh, Helen" Cecily exulted,
what grand news! I'm really
thrilled"
1t did Helen's heart good to
see their joy. She was so glad
to have brought them some hap
piness to carry them over the
dog-days of August that brought
in its wake such bitter mem
ories. She scarcely had time to
analyze her own feelings.
In Lester's arms she ex-
perienced a feeling of terror. He
was SO. so stout, so solid!
CHAPTER XLVII
But Helen forgot all about
Anastasia and Walter in the
next few days. Flowers, books,
candy, gifts came by every post
from Lester. He sent her little
notes scribbled at conferences.
Lester Molyneux in love was a
boy of eighteen.
The following weekend Helen
waited for his car at the gate.
He was jubilant. The back
of his roadster was a mass Of
boxes. He remembered every
one.
Little Woolie got a wooden
Montessori toy that built things
by joining colored sticks.
Woolie's little brow was rutted
with concentration as he picked
up the colored sticks with his
chubby fingers.
Miss Fredericks burst out
laughing. Look, when he
wrinkles his brow he looks just
like his father"
There was a short painful
silence. Cecily's face turned a
brick-red. Miss Fredericks'
laugh died on her lips.
Helen managed to smile.
eyes, it's true. I never noticed
it till now"
Lester suggested quickly:
"Come on over to our fence. I
have something for you"
They perched together on the
stone wall, Helen swinging her
legs. She wore a white crepe
dress without sleeves which
made her Sunburned arms and
neck darker by contrast. The
loose thick hair over her ears
lifted in the breeze.
Lester studied her apprecia-
lively. you're so beautiful"
he sighed. II could just sit and
look at you forever"
Lester! Flatterer! What's
the surprise? I'm all excited"
He drew from his pocket a
velvet box. He opened it SLOW
ly. Cleaning brilliantly against
orchid satin was the biggest
diamond Helen had ever seen
in her life. It was square and
set very simply.
do you like it?" he inquired
tenderly.
"It's very lovely"
He Sllpped IL on her ringer
and then covered her finger
and hand with kisses. But
when he took her in his arms,
something stopped in Helen.
She couldn't stand it. But she
steeled herself because she
couldn't bear to hurt him.
The ring filled her with dread
because it brought her marriage
closer to reality. She was en-
gagged. OF course, it was lovely
being engaged. Back in New
York, in the fall, Lester an
nounced the engagement at a
vast party in his apartment on