Evening star., 1935-06-23

IL Oh. BuC II you GnlnK you can DO
that by making up these malicious,
quite impossible stories-well, you're
miStaken"
''It was you! You were wearing
that navy dress with red on lit"
"Bolstering one tale with another
doesn't help" There was grave re-
proof now in Daphne's flexible voice.
If you think you're going to your
father wtch this story, you're not. I'm
going to tell him myself"
You kissed that man. And you're
In love with him. I saw you looking
at him just now" She was clinging
to the one fact in this sea of words.
Perhaps you would like to know
that I spent the entire afternoon the
day before yesterday at my dress
makers and that had a friend with
me there who can vouch for the fact!"
Alison shrugged her shoulders but
she did not answer. Daphne, breath
ing hard, said bitterly, Don't you
think you might apologize?"
Apologize for what?" Robert had
come into the box behind them and
was looking from one angry face to
the other Whats wrong?"
I should ask AliSon!" Dahne shot
O Spiteful look at her.
"What?" Robert was frowning now.
Nothing" said Alison.
THAT won't dol" Daphnes tone
cut like knife. You'd better repeat
to your father what you said to me" 4"
1 thought Daphne was-was in
love with some one, that's all" She
mumbled the words uncomfortable.
I thought I saw her kiss him. And
well, was miStaken!'
She heard him catch his breath.
saw Daphne's hand go out and his
close on it.
Il think we'd better leave this till
we get home" he said with decision.
Far better" agreed Daphne; she
was leaning forward on both arms.
the light from the stage fell on her
lace and she was looking down, with
a slight smile, at the end seat of the
third row of stalls.
Alison said nothing She had failed.
They drove back in complete si-
1ence from the theater, the girl and
Mrs. Sumers sitting together, with
Robert opposite.
There would be another row, of
course, when they got back, Alison
realized wearily. 1t would be no good
trying to make her father under
stand that she had seen Daphne I'M
mistakingly. She must let things take
their course.
On the steps of the house Daphne
heSitated.
II think I'd better get off home"
She let tactful look accompany the
words
"Nonsense!" Robert said fussily.
"Of course, you must come in for
moment"
Just for one drink, then, Bob"
Daphne yielded gracefully to his arm.
Il really am tired"
But her step was springy enough
as she walked across the hall and
picked up some letters from the old
oak chest.
"Hullo? Estimate from the paper
hangers?" She went on toward the
library with Robert, but Alison did
not follow. She slid out of her coat,
smoothed back her rain-wet hair,
thinking.
Robert came out.
"Alisonl"
She followed him obediently.
Daphne was standing with her back
to the fire, both arms outSpread
along the mantlepiece, an express
sion of panied reproach upon her
face. Robert took up a position be-
side her, and the girl, facing them,
felt that she had gone back to the
school room, to the days when one
was "sent for" by the head mistress.
Daphne has been telling me what
you said" Robert opened harshly;
his red, weather-worn face was set
as if it was made of painted metal
'I don't pretend to understand what
has come over you since you got
back and I've only this to say-I
feel ashamed of you! From now on,
please remember, I expect you to
show Daphne the same respect and
the same obedience that you would
have shown your mother if she was
still aIlve. That's ALL"
ALI Alison's soft lips curved into
o queer, grim little smile. But it
was no good protesting; she was
defeated. She said in a formal fash
ion, "Ill remember"
She drew a slow breath before
she added, There's just one thing,
father.
"Well?" Now that he had got off
his ultimatum, he let his sizzling in
dignation burst. What else? Haven't
you said enough?"
"It's nothing to do with that" Ali
son was careful not to look at
Daphne. "It's Just this. I'm not COM
ST1cy xuitI1 Hyo11 IN SnafT1
Daphne leaned far back against
the mantlepiece, her head tipped back
and leaning on the clock; she did
not speak, yet her half-closed eyes
were on Robert, gazing at him almost
as If she was compelling him by will.
But Robert needed no compulsion.
you're not? My good child, you'll
do exactly what you're toldl You
seem to imagine that because you've
left school you're at liberty to be
as thoroughly Objectionable and dis
obedient as you choose! Well, you're
wrongI And it's high time that you
learned to behave yourself! You leave
Victoria with us at o'clock tomorrow
and that's that!"
"You can't make mel" Alison's
hands clenched, but she did not raise
her voice
"Can't I? What do you propose to
live on?" Robert snapped back heat
ediy. 'sD'you imagine you can earn
your own living? Don't be such a
little fool!"
"Tm not being fool" She was
very quiet now. 81 don't want to hurt
you and I don't want to be beastly,
but mean it'd rather work as a
servant than 60 with her to SpainW
Daphne moved suddenly. Her arms
dropped and she moved forward. She
did not look at Alison.