The Coolidge examiner., 1935-09-20

Jed westward past Twin Deer lake
over there. mile or so across
brush and prairie. blinked the cozep
street lights OF Heron River. b.
this time. ne reflected. the usua,
crowd would have left the village
and gone their ways. lie turned hlA
car away from the f;shway and
headed FOR the village.
People seated on their screened
yeraudas la the town OF Bnllautyne
observed that faint breeze had
sprung up from the southwest. and
although II was pleasant after the
heat of the day. IL might mean rain
for the morrow WAh harvest so
near NJ hand
But Corlnne Meader. undressing IN
her mauve and white bedroom. was
grateful FOR the breeze that en-.
ressed her hot throat and temples
from the open window. She brushed
her hair with hurried strokes. But
/ her own beauty which had avaIled
( her nothing stared back at her
( from her mirror. and presently she
I leaned forward on her palms and
gazed long and intently at her own
+ image.
And so-you are going TO marry
farmer. my dear" her lips said
softly.
Mrs. Meader opened the door.
7 closed Il behind her. and stole into
chair beside Corinne's dressing
/ table as though some conspiracy
/ were afoot.
Darling" the mother brea;hed.
'you won't mind my sitting for n
minute while you get ready for bedf
I'm-I'm Just as excited as though
Il were I who was getting married. /.
It's nil so unexpected--I had no
idea Bot Roddy Is a dear. Corinne
"a perfect dear!'
Hes awfuliy good-looklng." Co
rlnne said with forbearance. and
continued TO wing out her hair with
/ her brush.
And he haa quite n large farm.
too. hasn't heT" Mrs. Meader was
saying. "And quite near Maynard
II isn't as though you were going
TO be marooned on some backwoods
homestead Tor the rest OF your days
You ca. drive over 10 see MS often
too. after you're married"
Il suppose So" Corinne conceded
~Oh. dear-it's going 10 be terri.
bic giving up this house. darling
n it comes TO thar. After all these
years. But I mustn't talk about
such things now-and you So
happy"
You won, have 70 give up the
house. now that I'm provided for.
Cor.nue reminded her cynlcaliy.
Mrs Meader chose 10 lct that
pass cor course" she observed.
~lf you had married Sylvester I'd
sett when he asked you-~
"Mo,her~ Corlnne squealed Ills
plmples =
Mrs Meader gave a depreca,Ing
little laugh. Il didn't mean that
seriously. darling. sou know that
And anyhow. he's only bookkeep
err
Corinne. although she was stiu
addressing herself. spoke aloud
Yes. could have married Sylves
ter. or / could 20 now and clerk
al eleven dollars n week in Filling
boc's dry goods store. And all the
girls in town could come in and ask
Tor samples Of white satin, and giE
gle. and tell no. It's for their wed
ding dresses No. thanks. I'd rath.
er die than do that"
Mrs. Meader put a plump arm
about CorInne's shoulders. aud q
round. bright tear trembied on her
pink cheek.
My baby - she quavered. ITO
/ think am going TO lose you-and
so soon And to think that the
bank had toto fall before you got
settled IN your own home It's just
/ too-cruel :"
''Now, mother" Corinne said with
supreme patience. don't do that :"
"All right. I'm sorry. darling ="
/ her mother whlmpered, and dabbed
her nose with a bit OF lace and
chiffon. "But / can't help thinking
/ Of all the chances you've had 10
marry well-of course they weren't
good enough But ~ Harry Rich.
ter's father hadn't been so against
Harry's marrying just now"
Corinne stood up. sighed. Please.
mother. You're talking as though
were being sold In a slave market
1 Harry knows what he wants. It's
his fathers business he wants
and his fathers money-not me.
Anyhow. I'm not in love with Har-
~. It's just that you've been ex-
I pecting great things Of me-and
the miracle didn't come or! Now,
be a good girl and 20 TO bed. I'm
/ tired"
She kissed her mother, and with
her arms about her propelled her
gently toward the door. Mrs
Meader murmured a reluctant and
tender good night and Corinne was
alone.