Evening star., 1935-12-19

AAaA SOOAA AAANA w AAohS
L y friends, for it was easy to like
Kay and hard not to; and within "a
hours after she was established in her
room-she would live this first year in
the village where many of the fresh
men we're houSed-she had become a
part Of group which was to cling to-
gether during the two years that fol-
lowed. Mary Bingham, round as an
apple, with a bloom on her cheeks,
was from Kansas and she had a pink
perfection of good health which Kay
approved delightedly. Sally Hays was
a sophisticate, speaking wisely of mat
ters which were clothed for Kay in
the glamor of mystery. Lucy Smith
from East Harbor, Me, was perpet-
ually good-humored, as stalwart as a
man. destined to be dominant in ath-
letics and to be troubled by her scho-
laStic duties through her four college
years. These three and Kay became
devoted. and it was rare to see one of
them without some one of the others
in company.
1t was Sally Hays who brought
Helen Ripley into the circle. Helen
wanted to meet you" she told Kay one
evening at supper, "and I asked her
to come down tonight"
"Of course" Kay agreed. Her color
heightened family; but her tone was
pleasant enough. Emily spoke to me
about her" she confessed; and when
Helen did appear, Kay greeted her
with that feminine warmth which is
not hypocrisy, since it deceives the
subject not at all Helen kissed Kay
and Rugged her vigorously, and asked
for Emily; and Kay, to her own sur
prise, liked her.
Later, when she and Helen were
alone together. Kay told the other
girl frankly: You know. I was pre-
pared to hate you, Helen. But don't
I hope we're going to be friends all
through college"
Helen asked in perplexity: Hate
me? Why? Because I made so much
trouble for Emily? She was a peach
about it. Kay"
Kay shook her head. mo. because
of Dane. He didn't come up to see
us 'this Summer, and Emily counted
on it So But don't you ever tell him
I told you!'
'Oh, Dane" Helen exclaimed half
contemptuously He's beast, in lots
Of ways, Kay. I don't think he'll ever
get married. He's always rushing some
girl; but he never gets real chummy
with any one but married women,
where he's safe. He's like a cat walk
ing along the edge of pond, afraid to
wet his feet. He was crazy about
Emily when he was with her; but after
We got home"
Il don't see how a man could help
being in love with Emily" Kay con-
fessed. But, of course, it wasn't your
fault, Helen"
She found 1t somewhat easier. dur
ing the months that followed, to for
get Dane; because her mother wrote
that Ned Pastor, the new superintend-
ent Of the Power Plant, was paying
Emily attention. During the Christ
mas holidays Kay met this young man
and liked him. She and Emily talked
about him for an hour before they
went to sleep that night.
Hes so awfully shy and gentle"
Kay commented. II should think he'd
just wilt if you ever frowned at him.
Emily"
Emily nodded Smiiingly But he
isn't really shy" she said. He wasn't
very well, when he was a boy; so he
never did anything in athletics. But
he's wonderfully brilliant. Father
says he's put in a number of changes
at the plant that have improved
things. OF course, l don't understand
the technical side Of it; but father
likes him"
IT suppose that's why you're nice
to him?" Kay suggested. teaSingly. and
Emily laughed and shook her head.
mo. I'm really quite fond of him."
she declared. He likes to come to
supper here; and during the Fall We
used to drive good deal. in the eve
ming. after supper. He doesn't dance
and he doesn't like parties. He likes
to be out of doors, so we take walks
OOSCLAlC1y dllO l4l111So AkC LAAdI.
Kay. watching the older girl
Sflrewdly, asked: How about Dane?
Have you told him? Won't he be
jealous?"
'Oh, don't hear from Dane" EN-
lily said in a carefully careless tone.
There wasn't really anything to that,
Kay. We just-liked each other in
passing, that's ALL"
Kay touched her hand. Honest,
Emily? Doesn't hurt any more?"
Never did," Emily assured her.
Gross my heart!"
Kay only half believed her; never
theless, when she returned to college,
she told Helen about Ned Pastors
devotion with a certain triumph; and
Helen cried.
We'll, I'm glad of It'll 1t serves
Dane right for being so poky slow;
told him when I was at home that
if he had a bit of sense he'd go up
and see Emily during holidays; but he
said he couldn't Uat aWav He said