The Washington times., 1936-10-19

But after q little while she got
to thinking about the Faileys and
California and had to remind her.
self to look sad, because in her
heart Of hearts she didn't really
believe that they'd parted from
father forever and would never,
never see him again.
She was the solitary one, Jan.
The one that was slow to make
friends and secretly hated school
and summer camps. Not because
she minded studying and early
hours, as Dorathea did, but be-
cause she was tall and thin and
plain, and slow to learn new
dance steps and slang and tunes.
The others were always way ahead
of her, and she was always afraid
they were laughing at her, or.
worse yet, sorry for her.
Each time they moved and she
was sent to q new school she
thought it would be a new begin
ming. She pictured herself look
ing esthetic and distinguished,
with a new haircut and her skirts
a little longer. She was sure that
a new formal would help, but it
never looked the way she wanted
it to after she got it home.
Trying it on in the store, making
allowances for pins and the wrong
shoes and muSSed hair, she was al
ways certain that it would give her
that something" that she lacked.
She could see herself whirling
through new steps, with good look
ing new boys who laughed and
talked and asked when they could
see her again.
But when it came to putting on
the new dress and going to a party,
she looked just the same. And
acted just the same. Silly and
stiff. So that, no matter how
much she'd looked forward to it,
she was always glad when it was
over.
But perhaps it would be differ
ent now. Perhaps this time she'd
find herself.
Evelyn Keith-who had been
Evelyn Failey-rested her dark
head against the Pullman cush-
ions and tried not to worry.
Now that the journey was almost
over and three thousand miles
were between her and Tom Keith.
it occurred to her for the first
time that she was taking long
chance.
IT don't ever want to see or hear
from you again." she told him. II
don't care what you do or what be-
comes of you. I'm through. The
family will take care of us. They'll
be glad to. You needn't ever
spend another cent on us-not
even three cents for a postage
stamp!"
Perhaps that was going a little
too far. With all his faults, Tom
was dependable. He'd always
managed things. Tickets and
reservations, and the girls schools,
and overdrawn checking accounts.
Now she was on her own, and,
though the family could well af-
ford to take care of her and the
girls, trust her brother Peter to be
nasty about it. He always acted
as though the entire estate be-
longed to him, though he had no
more claim on it than she and her
sisters. The folks had spoiled him,
just because he was the only boy.
And now, since her fathers death,
he walked all over her mother,
ran everything.
Well, he might fuss, but he'd
have to see that she was taken
care Of. Blood's thicker than
water.
That Is, he'd have to take care
of her for a while. Until she could
get a divorce, and, after a decent
interval-the conservative FaileyS
would insist on the interval
marry David.
David. When she thought Of
David the worries melted away. A
sense Of delicious well-being set
tied over her. David. David Byrne,
the man she should have married
in the first place. Everyone had
told her so, but she'd been to
headstrong and giddy to see it.
Well, you live and learn.
Complacently she reached for
her bag, patted a generous film of
! peach powder on her already well
B powdered nose.
She saw herself as she'd seem to
coming back to him after all
the years. The same Evelyn, the
same pansy-purple eyes, the bright
fair skin, the soft, dark hair, the
flashing smile he'd always loved. A
little subdued at first, perhaps.
Marked, but lightly-with her Suf-
fering.
Of course he'd be at the station
to meet her. Peter would be GER
tain to tell him-complaining,
probably, but that wouldn't mat
ter. Or if Peter didn't one of the
others would. He'd be there.
Ito Be COntinued)
Copyright, 1885, King Features
SyqndiCate)