The Washington times., 1936-12-08


she came home, the year you were
born. After that I rarely even
heard from her, but she was back
of my thoughts, always.
Then she came back, again.
When she let me know that she
was here, it was the big moment
in my life, I thought, but
somehow it never came of.
For the Evelyn I had loved was
Just a dream, and the flesh and
blood Evelyn wasn't even a re-
mote relation to her. That, and
the combination of having to see
Dorathea, who was like a picture
out of focus, of the Evelyn 1 used
to know, nearly drove me crazy.
That's why stayed away so much.
And there, my gal, you have the
whole sad Story!"
CHAPTER XXXVI
David was tossing pebbles into
the pond again. He asked: do
you still love Lowel?"
mo. Only his memory. Do
you see what 1 mean, David? I
don't know how to say it without
making it sound melodramatic.
But there isn't any Lowell that I
loved anymore. He's gone. He's
dead but there isn't any grave.
He's dead, and in his place lives
someone else-someone who killed
him."
It guess you and I are the left
overs, Jan. What shall we do about
it? Jump in the lake?"
She got up, smiling through wet
lashes. That's why I'm so fond
of you, David. You're such an
idiot. Come on. it's late and it's
getting cold. All the nursemaids
have taken the babies home, and
the benches are empty. Even the
little ducks have gone to bed"
Il wish I were ten years
younger"
What for? You'd have 10 more
years to live"
"Oh, we could do things to-
gether. I'm not giving up. You mis-
understood if you think I'm
through, Jan. I'm just waking up.
spent half my life dreaming and
then four or five years bracing
myself to face a few facts. Now
I've faced 'em. And before I settle
down to the rocking chair and
slippers I'm going to have some
fun"
Doing what?"
"Oh, doing the things I always
wanted to do and never got around
to. For one thing I'm going to
move out of that old lady's home,
the club, and have real home.
You wouldn't like to get married,
would you, Jan, and darn my socks
and so on?"
"Id adore it. Name the day."
"It's the bride who names the
day"
"Well, drive me home" she said
presently. Mother will be waiting.
We both ought to feel better, now
that we've traded the story of our
lives. I do feel better, really.
You're nice, David. I'm going to
miss you"
"I'll miss you, too. I suppose you
will go to New York to live. I
imagine that's where Toms inter
ests will be. Unless he decides to
come out here"
"Glad to go?"
ooh, yes. To see father. I don't
know what I'll do though. I can't
go back to school now, even if
they can afford to send me. After
you've worked as I have, I mean
with all the responsibility, and hav-
ing given up hope of any other life.
But I'll find something, I guess.
1--WE talked to your father! I
called him and then he called me
back four times. From New York.
Jan went to the telephone.
"But have to, David. I really
do. And besides the other idea is
so CRAZY! What? Oh, I didn't
mean THAT! I wasn't joking
either, the jokes on you! But I
mean, practically. But I've got
to have time to get used to it, and
besides want to see father. oh,
a month"; couple of weeks!
DAVID! David, mother is here,
having a fit because you haven't
said anything about the trunks.
I'll tell her. Yes. Yes. I do. I
really do! Oh, I mean it. But 1
must go-mother's waiting. Good
bye!"
whats the matter with him?"
JAMS face was turned. She
laughed. "Oh, he was just pro-
posing to me. Now that everyone
else in the family is taken care of,
he thinks ought to get married,
too"
Evelyn laughed. "And what did
you say?"
Didn't you hear me accept?"
"Oh, is that what you were do
ing? Well, there's no time for
fooling now. How I'm ever going
to get everything packed in one
day. Come, help me get the
things out of the hall closet, will
you, Jan? I've got so much to do
I hardly know where to start in.
But I don't care. I'm so happy
so happy! You don't understand.
You're just a child"
Maybe" Jan said. Her face
was alight. Evelyn, looking up
suddenly, was surprised at the
loveliness of it. She stood, little
wistful, her arms full Of old
clothes. looking at her plain
daughter.
The End.)