The Washington times., 1936-01-09

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Her head was turned from him.
And his from her. He lit his pipe,
that had gone out again. When he
turned to her again his face was
expression as it so often was.
He said, IT told you. Your aunt's
health settled it. I'm fixin' to send
you to school in the East, Christie
Countin' on you to go without a
fuss. That right?"
After a little silence she said,
That's right, Dad"
He puffed on his pipe, his face
again turned from hers.
They were all so kind. It was as
II Aunt Nettie and the girls
couldn't do enough for her, now
shat she was going away.
Aunt Nettie gave her her own
handsome wardrobe trunk, and
supervised the packing. It didn't
take long, there was so little that
was worth packing. Aunt Nettie'S
face was study as she rummaged
through closets and bureau draw
erS, brought out a few worn
sweaters and skirts, nondescript
summer dresses, three or four
elaborate gowns that looked as
though they had never been worn.
''It isn't my idea to rush you off
this way. It was your father. II
would have taken you to San
Francisco and outfitted you prop
erly. I haven't meant to neglect
you, Christie. It's just that I'm
not very strong, and the girls
needed me. -"
Christie looked UP, surprised,
vaguely ncomfortable. why,
I've been all right, Aunt Nettie!"
you'll have to dress better now.
There's no excuse for a girl in
your position-of course there's a
uniform, but you'll need other
things. One Of the teachers can
help you buy what you need
what's suitable-in New York.
IT'S a very fine school. the daugh-
terS Of the very best families"
Eyes, Aunt Nettie."
ChriStie-I'm sorry. do you
mind very much?"
"It wouldn't help me to care. "
she said softly.
After Aunt Nettie was gone,
and the trunk was locked and
ready to go, Christie sat down on
the edge Of her bed, the little
ivory and cane bed that AdolphuS
had bought for her long ago. For
q long time she sat there, looking
out through the chintz-hung bay
window, seeing nothing, not even
the pine tree with the CaStillian
rose that her mother had planted,
nor the blue mountains beyond.
Funny that she didn't care more.
e. Funny that she should be going
away, without protesting, without
fighting.
Just dumb.
It was at the last minute that
she came alive. The last minute
with the car waiting, and Adol.
phus in his black suit and ''boiled'
shirt, lighting a cigar.
''Christie-time to go!"
She put on her hat, closed the
small travelling bag that she had
got for Christmas and never ex'
pected to use so soon.
Wilkinson, Aunt Nettie's chauf.
feUr, took the little bag and put
it in the car with the other things
Aune Nettie and the girls stood in
o line on the veranda. The dogs
ran around the car, wagging their
tails. Christie knelt in the dust
to put her arm tight around old
Letty'S neck.
"Look out for your DRESS!
You're running IT." Adele
screamed from the veranda.
Better get in, gettin' late" I"
Adolphus said. He had his big
gold watch in his hand.
"Good-by. good luck" Isabelle
called.
"Good-by, dear. Try to adapt
yourself" Aunt Nettie said. You'll
be back in the afternoon tomor
row. Adolphus?"
Towards evening, Nettie. All
right, boy, you can start"
Christie was half out Of her
seat. dad. could juSt-just say
good-by. once more. the horses
49,"
"'Fraid not, Christie"
The car was crawling along the
driveway now.
Aunt Nettie-will you please
please watch the Chinaman? He
gives chicken bones to the dogs
and he doesn't like the cats, and
Josephine. the black cats going