The Washington times., 1936-12-05


But Helen Rogers had put UP a
wire clotheSline, and after that
went up, others followed. The
tenants didn't send their clothes
to the laundry any more, they did
their washing themselves, coming
UP to the roof in bedroom slippers,
their hair in curling pins, inside
tight fitting wave caps.
So the roof was p network Of
clothes lines now. One really had
to be careful walking around
there in the dark.
Jan leaned on the parapet,
looking at the lights, listening to
the cars that hurried up and down
the street below.
She thought, Lowell says he's
weak. I suppose he is. If he
weren't-but that's all over now.
I'll have to so down and tell
mother. I'll have to tell her. II
I don't, someone else will. I'm like
Lowell, I'm not very brave. I just
haven't any choice.
Evelyn had the vegetables
cooked, and was Just taking the
chops out Of the broiler.
She said, wherever have you
been? The roof on a cold March
night! You're crazy. Everything'S
overdone. I wish you'd make the
tea. What's the matter, you look
kind Of funny. I hope you didn't
get a chill up there. Without a
coat! Here, bring in the chop
platter, and I'll take the pota-
toes"
Jan carried the platter into the
dining room, and they sat down.
Lowell Kramer wrote that he's
going to be married to a French
girl. Adele de something. He said
there'll be an announcement
Soon."
Evelyn's fork leaped from her
hand, went Gathering to the floor.
"It will be a big, fashionable
wedding, I imagine. In May.
Aunt Edith will probably send us
a clipping!"
"But you said-I thought-oh.
my poor baby! I thought it was
YOU!"
"It was once. just as I told you.
It was never a formal engage
ment, and it's all over. I'm try
ing to explain! I just got the
letter today. It was a surprise to
me, too. Her names de Sanzei-
I knew I'd remember it after a
while"
Evelyn rested her closed eyes on
her palms, elbows on the table.
"And I thought that YOU were
at least taken care of. I thought
that coming here had made one
person happy. Just one person!
But that was too much to expect,
Of course. It was just a ghaStly
joke-the whole thing-from first
to last!"
1t ought to be I, Jan thought,
bringing aspirin and ice water to
Evelyn who had wept until she
was i'll, and was now lying weak
and spent, on her bed.
It seemed funny that she, who
had just received the death blow,
should be trying to comfort some
one else.
Don't you cARE?" Evelyn had
asked, awed at her quiet.
Eyes, care. OF course I care, "
she had answered, frankly, and
then wondered what was wrong
with her, that she could take it
so impersonally.
It was then that Evelyn gave up
and went to bed. It was bitter
news for her. She'd counted so
much on getting one Of them
properly married. It would have
to be Dorathea now. It wasn't
likely that Jan would get another
chance. Anyway. she was taking
it nicely.
''I think if you'd bring me a cup
Of hot chocolate, might be able
to Sleep" Evelyn called from her
bedroom. "I didn't eat any din
ner, and I suppose that's partly
what's the matter with me. I
take things too hard. think I
could manage one of those cup
cakes, too-one of the LITTLEST
ones, without much icing"
After she brought the cupcakes
and chocolate, and Evelyn had
finished them, Jan turned off the
lights for her, and closed the door.
I'm glad you don't take things
the way Dorathea and I do," Eve
iyn had said just before she said
goodnight. But you always were
the sensible one, Jan. Sometimes
things are all for the best. I al
ways did think of a career for
you. Well, goodnight, darling. I'm
going to try to go to sleep, and
don't you sit up too late. Remem-
ber you have to get up early"
It was lonely in the house, with
Evelyn's door shut. Too early to
go to bed, though. Jan picked up
a book. It was one of the Jalna
books and yesterday she'd been in
terested, terribly interested. in it.
Now she read two chapters with
out knowing what she was reading.
She thought, no matter how I
feel. I've got to eat and sleep and
work. Mother hit the nail on the
head when she said that about a
career for me. It's the one thing
I can have. Nobody can take that
from me. I don't have to be good
looking for that. All have to do
is to keep my wits about me and
work. I'll be one of those devastat-
ingly smart young business execu-
tives, with stunning clothes, and
beautiful nails and hair and skin.
I'll have NV own car and q swankv