The Indianapolis times., 1936-04-17
MISS O'MALLEY looked curious
AVA ly at jim.

4VA ly at jim.
80 you've seen her your new
mother :"
yes" Jims face went red again.
He wouldn't say a word. Miss
O'Malley looked rather uncomfort-
able for a minute. Then she hurried
the children forward
! Better brush up first Jim E.
then come downstairs quickly. Your
father is here :"
"Dad!" Something caught in Jims
throat He wanted to see Dad
he wanted it badly. But Dad with
film star with film star called
Babs. Jim rushed upstairs
again. 1t was quite long time be-
fore he walked downstairs again.
Jim, old mani"
This was his father, pumping his
hand, slapping him on the back. He
had to try to smile back his fa-
ther looked so terribly pleased to
see him but he felt as if the
smile was crooked on one side of his
face.
I've got surprise for you, Jim.
A big surprise . :"
LIE was conscious of Aunt Jane,
l. l. and another figure with her.
But he simply couldn't look past his
father. Somewhere in that room
Babs Honeyford was waiting, with
her long red nails and her white
hair. If she kissed him, he felt he
would be sick.
Jim Junior gulped. IT know" he
said. Il saw her this afternoon.
Mona and 1 went to see Orchids for
Three >. so /. saw her in it."
There was a short, astounded
laugh from his father, and a sound
of annoyance from Aunt Jane.
"You saw me! You must have
awfully good sight, Jim!"
He went forward slowly, as II he
were hypnotized. The lady was hold
ing out her hand just one :.
to shake his.
He drew long breath. She wasn't
a young lady. She must be almost
as old as Dad as old as Mrs.
ONeill, Tubby's mother. She had
blue dress with white on it l.. very
like the dress Tubby's mother wore
to the Prize Giving. She had a nice
hat, and beads round her neck. She
didn't look bit like the movies.
She looked as if she might be some
boys mother =.
LIE went a little farther forward.
IL a Then he stopped, staring up
into her face. The relief on his
own YVES enormous.
This wasn't that Babs. This lady
wasn't even bit like her.
Il saw Orchids for Three" he
said, bewildered. But you
you're not the star +" He
frowned, trying to remember. He
didn't remember her at all.
Il only had very small part"
she said, apologetically. Il used to
be on the stage once i. but was
never much good. And I'm not
going in the films any more. Your
father and I thought it would be
nice if we all had a house in the
country +. a real house =" She
smiled at him; without realizing
it, he was standing quite close to
her. She had an awfully nice smile.
I'VE thought you wouldn't mind
few days away from school :.
to help, us find the right sort of
house =" she said. Her ewes
twinkled. You knew she had things
like rabbits . and maybe a pony
:. on her mind.
inns father had come forward.
~ II think he's disappointed you're
not star, Maryl"
Jim gulped. He tried to speak.
But she was quicker than he was.
She smiled at him, then at his
father.
mo, he isntl" she said. calmly
She understood and Jim knew
she did.
Then, quite casually, almost as a
father would, she flung an arm
round Jim Juniors shoulders.
Feel like showing me the village.
Jim? We might get Mona and have
g soda" She smiled. I'm awfully
thirsty myself. How are the sodas
in this village?"
"Oh swelll" Jim Junior said.
His voice was still a bit funny. 1t
takes guy quite a time to get over
big shock. Especially a nice sort
Of shockl
THE END.
scopyyishs. 1895. News Syndicate Co.. mel