The Washington times., 1936-06-16

was wild! he gimme q CeTEIpLe
look and turned his back in q
hurry without answering"
! Don't tell Nom about it." Nell
whispered. "And you come in the
kitchen and stand near me-"
But Nell had gone to her
mothers room in answer to a
plaintive moan. In that moment
her Step-father entered. He
ccught Jimmy by the collar and
was cutting him viciously, knock
ing his head back and forth.
Nell flung between them, rag
ing.
Mind you own business, you
-" said the man, surveying
Nell's figure insultingly. mo child
of mine will scrub boots on the
street,"
She regarded him with silent
accusation, wondering where this
affair of his might end. He didn't
want the girl to know he was
married and a father? Was this
the reason for his fury to the
child?
After dinner Nell went to him
with icy quiet.
whether Jimmy shines shoes
on the street or not, Dad. someone
has got to bring money into this
house"
Don't know that! With you
adding another mouth to be fed,
do you suppose I'm not aware it's
up to me?"
Her eyes shot sparks Of rage:
you're not feeding my child,
Henry Mason! This baby's father
sends money. I've taken it to buy
food and pay rent for you and
yours!"
To Nell's amazement, he became
amiable, almost apologetic: If
you think I'm not sick with worry,
Nell, you're mistaken. Cowan is
absolutely giving me a job in an
other month-SiX weeks at most" !"
I'VE can't wait six weeks. We're
practically destitute now!
"The last time I showed you our
accounts we had $50. We've used
up $3.50. That leaves $7.4O to
carry us through April and heav-
en- knows how much longer" Such
was Neu'S answer to her STEP
fathers unreasonable attitude.
She didn't tell him of the $40
which yet remained Of Ricky's
money. This was hidden under
the paper in her bureau drawer.
Mason chewed at his lip: You
can manage for a few days. I'll
get in touch with Esther. She's
got to call off her high-handed
nonsense. That allowance each
month belongs to me. My mother
left it in a bequeSt. The money is
MINE! Esther can't withhold 1t.
There's $40 due"
Two days later Esther arrived.
She saw at once Nell was to
have a child. She grew violent
about it, ending up her TRADE
with an indignant: "It simply
means I'll have to take the in
fant. The whole burden will be
flung at mel"
you'll take my child! It's the
last thing on the face of the
earth I've thought of or would
permit"
Indeed! And I suppose you
think I wouldn't make a good
mother? The big clumsy OK
wouldn't know what to do with a
baby!"
Frustration and longing leaped
in the sudden words. Nell stared
at her aunt in astonishment.
Esther came and took the iron
from Nell's hand. Go take care
of your mother. I'll launder this!"
Esther ran the iron back and
forth with quick. angry jerks. She
was remembering that immortal
afternoon when Graham Kent
said, wooingly: "Essie, you've the
most beautiful eyes; you've the
most tempting mouth" and took
the pink rose from his lapel to
stick it in the ribbon at her neck.
He ran his fingers lightly back
and forth along her throat. The
exquisite thrill! Down the empty
years it remained. She went home
that day, weak with worship:
dreamed of marriage and a child
who would look like Graham. She
mourned her loss as desperately
as though the love and the child
of that love had been realities.
Nell, the little fool rushing into
marriage and poverty, would have
the richness. Esther envied her.
Ito Be COntinued)
tCOpyriEht. 1885. By King Features