The Washington times., 1936-11-24

I have or don I haVe-lI JUST
IT can't help It," Evelyn walled.
my own daughter-going off like
pauper-"
But I'm not worrying, so why
do you? wouldn't take much
with me, anyway. Bennie just has
Saturday off. He has to be back
to work on Tuesday"
But where are you going to
LIVE!"
IT don't know yet. A hotel at
first, I suppose, and then We'll
find an apartment. I'm going to
work, too, as soon as can find
a Job. And don't spread the news
all over either, because everyone is
so prejudiced against married
women working and it's hard
enough for a single girl to find
work. So I don't want it known
that I'm married.
mo announcements? Not even a
few?"
"Of course not! Besides, where
would you get the money for them?
If you have any to throw away you
can give it to me for wedding
present instead, because furnished
apartments never have any china
or silver worth mentioning, and I'd
like to buy a breakfast set and
some five and dime silver"
"Five and dime silver. My
daughter When I think of my
wedding! All I had! And my
daughter marrying a divorced
mana secondhand man with
two children. And going off like
a pauper-to Reno-so cheap
so common!"
But your marriage didn't turn
out so we'll! Mine might work
better. At least have no illusions.
I don't expect much. All want is
Bennie, and thank heaven, I'm
going to get him. Now I'm 60
ing to bed and try to get some
sleep. I've got a couple of little
packages-they're on the shelf in
the closet-for you and Jan.
They're not much-for Christmas,
you know
For just a minute Dorathea's
courage almost deserted her. For
the first time she really realized
that she wouldn't be with them
on Christmas. She was cutting
herself off from them. Going
away with someone else.
Her lip trembled.
Evelyn burst into tears again.
Il can't bear it," she sobbed. TITS
too much-you deserve so much
and Bennie'S $3.50"
Dorathea made an effort, pulled
herself together. "Oh, stop crying,
mother. Try and remember that
he's what I want and I've gone
through an awful lot to get him.
And now I'm going to bed. Do you
mind If I take the alarm clock?
I've got to get up at six"
X *
It was spring again. Window
boxes full of daffodils and hya-
cinths. The little garden in front
of the house, gay with volunteer
crop of marigolds and forget-me-
nOtS.
On the street corners downtown.
the flower stands were laden with
Iilacs, purple and white-feathery
yellow acacia-fruit blossoms, tu-
lips, narciSsus.
Walking to save carfare, the
mink coat blowing back gallantly
from her thrice made over black
crepe, sheer chiffon hose on her
slim ankles, soft white suede on
her hands, Evelyn felt young and
happy and well dressed.
Other women passed, and she
looked at them critically. This one
didn't know how to use lipstick,
that one couldn't wear clothes
we'll.
In the shop windows, the first
summer things-"cruise clothes"
they called them were displayed
under synthetic banana trees and
make believe ships awnings.
Evelyn made the rounds, look
ing impartially at the latest in
fancy bathing suits, and dinner
dresses for tropic nights. When
she thought of floating chiffon
and a ships deck under the South
ern Cross, she thought of Fran
cesca, who might have sent for
them, and wouldn't. Then she
saw a miniature Guatemalan gar
den. and her thoughts turned to
Jan.
The child was so happy, so Sc
rene. so far removed from all the
things that everyone else in the
family worried about. She was
always in corner, writing one Of
her everlasting letters, always run
ming downstairs to see if there was
an answer.
They came-but 50 seldom.