Evening star., 1936-06-16
INSTALLMENT XXVI.
NATIENCE was preparing dinner
- in the kitchen. She looked as
uraoru thOuoh Shn hadn't

N
- in the kitchen. She looked as
weary as though she hadn't
slept and smiled dispiritedly
when she looked up and saw Jan in
the doorway.
Have q good time, honey" She
tried the roast beef with fork and
basted it again.
"Oh, just grand" Jan was spar
klipe from the cold air. "Mr. Gray
n lots o. fun And vou should hear
Pin sin- and play s:o p1ano!"
I'm glad you had a nice drive.
Patience put the cloth on the table
in the dinette. It's been a lovely
day. 1 guess we'll have a snowy
Christmas
Jan took off her things and washed
her hands is there anything !
can do?" she asked
Nothing, except call Shell He
hasn't been in all day. I waited lunch
for him until it was dried up."
Didn't you go in to see if he was
there?"
No, I certainly did not!'
We'll, you're very silly" Jan chided.
Both of you are acting like couple
of silly babies. We've been such good
friends. It's a crime to have it all
spoiled"
He was very rude" Patience beat
the potatoes sayagely. No man can
talk like that to me and get away
with 1t"
Hes just jealous, you goof," Jan
laughed Are you blind?"
You're crazyv Patience snapped
'Why should he be jealous of me?"
Because he likes you, idiot"
He certainly talked like it." Pa
tlence tossed her red head Call
him. But tell him if he doesn't want
10 come, l don't care if he starves -
Jan laughed and went across the
hall TO knock on Shells door. When
ne opened it he was dressed to go
Out.
Where are you soing?" She did
not go in. Dinners ready"
I'm not hungry" Shell said. un-
convincingly. L really couldn't eat
thing"
You silly boy Jan was highly
amused. You're just sulking. Well
AXE off your overcoat and sulk. I'll
bring your dinner over, you big baby!
No, thanks"
There's roast beef, creamed as
paragus, grandmother's spinach, sour
cucumber salad, lemon meringue pie
all the things you Eke!" Jan count
ed the menu off on her fingers.
Shell looked as though he we're
Weakening. But he shook his head
Stubbornly.
She pushed her way in.
Take off your things and Ill bring
something over to you" She tuggeo
AT his coat. Il ought to paddle both
Of you! Sulking like couple of spoil
ed kids. If you're not over it by
breakfast, I hope you Starve!"
Patience angrily slammed Shells
dinner on A tray when Jan told heI
he wouldn't walk across the hall to
eat with them.
He came over for breakfast and
lunch the next two days, because
Patience was at work. But Janell
carried his dinner TO him. She was
certain either Shell or Patience would
give in and ask to be forgiven be-
fore Christmas eve. But one was Just
as stubborn as the other. She had
tried TO keep out of the quarrel and
be entirely neutral
But when the bellboy brought q
tall tree in the afternoon of Christmas
eve, Jan could have Wept because the
three of them weren't going to deco
rate it together. 1t just wouldn t
seem bit like home without Shell.
She carried his dinner across to
hkm again and waited a little while,
hoping he would indicate that he'd like
3 truce with Patience. But he gave
no sign. 1t made her vince TO see
The unhappiness in his dark eyes.
She went back and sat down to a
lonely meal with Patience.
1t. was then that Jan decided she d
have to find out how matters stood,
one way or another. She began quite
casually:
DO you mind if I ask you rather
personal question:"
NO go ahead" Patience looked
pp from her untouched plate.
Have you decided yet whether YOU
ere going to marry Col. Steele? Are
you engaged to him?"
Patience sighed and picked at her
tomato salad.
Il suppose III be sorry all my life
f I don't" she said slowly. But