The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1937-10-30
i I'LL ...: ~: s. ; :; (: ::::: b.
copyiaht, 1907, NEA Ssoies, Inc

| you will forgive me. realize now
you meant to be kind. But it was
| impossible for me to accept. How
ever, there seems no way to es-
cape obligation. Moving was evil
IDENTIFY the right idea. I've sold
several pictures which made it
possible to send a check, closing
the transaction. Sincerely, Alan"
Closing the transaction! He
might lust as well have said:
Ending everything. He had asked
forgiveness for hurting her, but
he had no forgiven her. Which
was the greatest hurt of all.
Mechanically, she opened an
other letter. 1t was from Ellen
Bcckwith inviting her for a visit.
Ellen said the little trce-shaded
streets of her town would seem
very quiet after the big city. But
they all wanted Jill so much. And
they really did have good times
For a long while Jill sat very
still, holding the letters in her
hand. One of them shutting the
door to romance. The other open
! inc the door to 4 temporary cS-
cape from life here at home -
which had become in moment a
barren oasis. She would accept Ell
lens invitation. There was moth
ing to wait for now.
Sylvia Sutton had come over to
say goodby to Jill.
Jill knew that her stepmother
expected Sylvia to announce her
engagement to Barry soon. But
she was far from certain about 1t,
herself.
There was none of the happy
excitement about Sylvia that
i marked girls engaged to the men
! they loved. She was sure Sylvia
was unhappy. Jack was not HIM
self either. The two facts added
up and made a complete conclu-
sion.
Maybe Sylvia was going to con-
fide. If so, she would say follow
your heart" But maybe Sylvia
was in the same boat with lots of
other girls. You couldn't follow
unless a man would let you.
Sylvia wore an of-face hat
matching her purplish crepe dress
which was fashioned with a
monkish cowl that gave her a sort
of Fra Angelica look. Her big
blue eyes looked almost violet,
and there were violet shadows
under them.
Maybe she was imagining
things. Maybe, Sylvia was only
worn down by the strenuous So
cial pace.
Watching Jill assembling her
wardrobe efficiently. Sylvia said:
you're simply wonderful Jill, l
could never pack a trunk-or do
anything, really"
IL think I'd make a swell poor
mans wife" Jill said slowly,
carefully placing a sky-blue eve
ming gown on padded SILK
hanger.
Something, Sylvia thought, has
happened to Jill. She isn't the
same. Jill was the grandest girl
she knew. She'd hate for things
to go wrong for her.
Maybe it's her home, Sylvia's
thoughts ran. I'd be unhappy,
too, if | had a stepmothcr as cold
as a fish.
They went down stairs, and
found Mrs. Wentworth waiting.
Impulsively, Sylvia put her
arms about Jill and kissed her
warmly. Jill looked so woebe-
gone and lonely. As though she
didn't want to go and as though
she didn't want to say.
won't you go to the station
with us, Sykia?" Mrs. Wentworth
asked eagerly.
"Thank you, no." Sylvia re-
piled. 81 must hurry home"
She started walking toward her
coupe. Got in and turned on the
ignition. AS the occupants of the
big car waved, Sylvia's hand went
up gaily. A moment later the
Wentworth car was lost around a
curve of the drive.
Then, very calmly, Sylvia
switched off the ignition and got
out.
Anything wrong, Miss Sylvia"
queried the gardner, coming to-
ward her.
Sylvia smiled at the old Scotch
man who had been the gardener
for the Wentworths forever, as
Jill said.
"No, Andrew, | was just think
ing | would like to see your
garden. Could you show me
about"
GLADLY, Miss Sylvia. There's
| not much to see at this time of
year. The chrysanthemums are
fine. And there are some pretty
things in the conservatory. Some
tropical plants I'd like to show
YOU" -,
1t was while they were in the
conservatory that Sylvia heard
the car on the drive. 1t was too
soon for Mrs. Wentworth to be
back. If she were very lucky -
Whose car is that" she in
quired, trying to make her voice
sound casual.
"Mr. jacks answered the old
man, absently. He was peering
over one Of his precious tropical
plants, touching it with gentle