Evening star., 1936-06-17
INSTALLMENT XVII.

Shell opened the door When
Patience called, Come in"
A. She was sitting under the
Christmas tree, but she got up hur-
riedly and smoothed her nair with
trembling fingers.
"I-In take it." She reached for
the tray.
mo, I'll put it away" He walked
back toward the kitchenette.
Patience followed him, uncertainty.
IT might as well rinse the dishes
out now, I guess" She took the
dishpan from the cabinet. There are
just few"
"I'n dry them" He looked in the
drawer for tea towel.
She ran the water into the pan and
when she poured washing powder IN
upset half the contents on the dishes.
II guess I've got the Jitters,
she laughed nervously and poured the
soapy water down the sink.
Shell cleared his throat.
"I-guess I owe you very big
apology, Patience" he began, peni-
tently.
"Oh, no." She shook her head
swiftly. II owe you an apology for
losing my temper. You must forgive
me-"
IT guess I've acted like school kid,
Shell added, meekly. Getting all
boiled over about ideals and bawling
you out because I thought you were
going to marry money. I should be
wants to make your future safe and
happy. I'm for him"
When she did not answer, he went
on, solemnly, You can be sure
won't forget myself again. I guess
Just think you're too good for any
body. 1--we never known woman
like you before. The colonel is q
lucky man"
Patience said, hollowly, I'm moi
going to marry Col. Steele"
Shell looked at her, closely.
Tell me-" he asked then, lis i
because you are in love with some
other man? I'm your best friend
Surely, you can tell me. Something is
worrying you. Is there some one
else? Or am being too presump'
tuous?"
Patience dropped cup and broke
it.
"What-makes you think I'm II
love" She threw the broken cup init
the waste-paper basket, turning from
him. What does woman hater like
you know about love?"
i've reformed" He smiled, crook.
edly. Il do seem to remember bab'
bling to you at great length abou
the unWorthineSs of women shortly
after we met. But I've joined the
ranks of ex-women haters. If yoU
weren't so blind, you'd have seen
that a long time ago"
Patience's voice came from a great
distance.
$50, you've fallen in love with her
too"
They were through with the dishes
She walked swiftly into the living
room.
What did you say?" he asked wher
they were seated.
She stared across at him, whitley
"So-youve fallen in love with her
too" she repeated, automatically
twisting her hands in her lap.
with whom?" Shell smiled, quiz
EicaIly.
"I-suppose you've fallen In love
with jan" Patience's eyes were
bleak with misery. Everybody falls
in love with Jan. II might have
known, of course! That's why you
were 50 good to us. I must have been
blind"
You're binder than that" Shells
own face had grown pale. But don't
add cradle robbing to my other
voices"
"Oh," Patience's hands went swiftly
TO her burning face. "It-isn't Jan
You must think-I'm crazy. Oh! ]
don't know what I'm saying!" she
cried, desperately.
How could ~" He took her hands
and held them so she could not hide
her eyes again. How could fall in
love with Jan when you are here?"
Because she stared at him uncom-
prehendingly, Shell shook her ten
derly.
Did you hear me?" he laughed
softly. How could any man in the
world see Janell when you were ir
the same house? Listen to me-it's
you I love. You, Patience"
He picked her up like child and
sat down In her chair, holding hel
in his arms. For several minutes she
lay without stirring, quietly sobbing
He soothed her gently, and when she
grew quiet he sat her up.
IF you'd go and wipe your tears