Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-05-08
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lines and colors and styles from her
babyhood and she did know how to
wear her clothes, but, of course, she
was not really clever. 1t was said
that she made $40 week, but New
Concord did not believe this. How
could she? Not half the professional
men in her home town made so much.
Leslie continued to spend every
other Sunday with her mother and
father. She came one warm April
afternoon to bring Miss Julia some
yellow and lavender tulips. Seems
like your flowers always do better
than mine" Miss Julia grumbled as
she arranged her gift in a vase, "even
though you're not here to look after
them properly"
They know how much I count on
Them" Leslie laughed. Il tell them
1 cannot bear it in the city unless
know they're here blooming for
me. And then, Of course, father
does take wonderful care of them.
He's a better gardener than / ever
was"
Its fine thing for your father
for any man, digging and plant
ing in the good, warm earth"
1T keeps him busy" Leslie said.
And changed the subject. A little
later she had drifted over to the
table where the vase stood and, by
pulling tulip here, loosening another
there, had changed a stiff, unhappy
bunch of suffering blooms to a lovely
group that relaxed gratefully in the
sunshine.
With her nose buried in the tulips,
Leslie said, Miss Julia, what's the
matter with Jimmy with James
Stimson?"
Matter? I don't know that any
things the matter. What do you
mean"
Leslie turned and seated herself
on the edge Of the table, facing Miss
Julia. Hes so changed. You must
see it. I sat behind him In church
He looked so so dispirited. And
there are such deep lines bitter
lines around his mouth. Is it Jane
who's done this to him? Or what?'
II don't know I don't think so
James made him a fine wife. Every
one says so. suppose the trouble
is, if there is any, that we all ex-
pected too much Of James in the
beginning. He expected too much
Of himself. And now he's old enough
to realize that he's just just an
other run of the mill and nothine
out of the way. I dare say it hurts. .
Il don't think that's fair, Miss
Julia. It seems to be the fashion
in New Concord to belittle every.
thing James does. He's only 81 or 81
and already he's made a name
small name, but name al
over this section for his sound senss
and trustworthiness and his real abil.
ity as leader in court. Mr.. Ellison
hears all the newspaper gossip He
says James has won cases that woulc
do credit to any city lawyer of twice
his age. And he's made a living. g
fine living for country town. Why
then, does New Concord laugh a,
him? Why do they dare refer tt
him as poor James'?"
Because James doesn't value him.
self enough, I suppose. If a man
doesn't think any too well of him.
self, I've noticed that nobody else
does"
James thought well enough o.
himself before he was married. Mis-.
Julia, you know as well as I thai
it's Jane. I only see him at lone
intervals. And every time I car
notice the change. Jane is murder.
ing him by inches.
Yes, I mean just that. It's moth.
ing short Of murder to kill a nani
self-reSpect, his belief in himself
Miss Julia, can't you do something
Talk to Jane. Make her see thai
what she does to James she does tx
herself. If James life is a failure
James life Is q failure, too. Shit