The Washington times., 1937-01-26

the sort of people she ought to
know if she's ever to make any
thing out of her music. 1t takes
money to put on a recital in such
way that she could get a little
attention OF courSe-I reckon
it's natural for a mother-I'm even
more worried about Clay. How
that poor child has worked, these
past four years, putting himself
through the State University"
us that true?" Parker queried
with surprise. Il had no idea he
was a university graduate; seems
so young for that" he added
quickly.
"Oh, I know he doesn't look
much like it, around here, helping
in the kitchen and doing all man.
ner of odd jobs. He had so wanted
to follow in his grandpa'S foot
steps. I'm sure I don't know what
we're ever going to do with him.
It's just breaking his spirit. I can
see it-a little more every day"
The next afternoon, Elise had
come to see her Aunt Clara. Parker
had been out for ramble that
had taken him through the town,
past the little huddle of shops.
Mrs. Brock and Elise were talk
ing earnestly in the hallway when
he entered the hotel. EliSe'S Aunt
Clara could easily have presented
him, but she had merely aCknowl-
edged his presence with a polite
smile. He interpreted it to mean
that Clara Brock, while cheerfully
willing as his hostess to extend
the amenities due a guest in her
houSe-even to the point of i'm
pulsively discussing her own ankle
tieS-felt under no compulSion to
back him socially. This, thought
Parker, showed her good breeding
and common sense.
Nevertheless, the little episode
was disquieting. He was forced
to admit to himself that his equiv
ocal position in this house would
presently demand Qualification. He
must either be on his way or give
a satisfactory reason for remain
ing A depressing sensation Of
loneliness swept him as he as
Cended to his room.
In his one brief glance at close
range, he had noted that Elise was
a comely brunette, a little better
dressed than most of the young
women he had seen on the street;
had observed also that her imper-
Sonal survey of him, without the
slightest trace of shyneSS, hinted
a wider social experience than
Leeds would be likely to afford.
He wondered how much she fret
ted here, imagining he had read
discomfort in the moody, brown
eyes.
Next day Elise again had some
occasion to visit her Aunt Clara.
Parker had passed her on the
front steps as she was arriving.
Their eyes admitted, this time, the
existence of each other, at least;
but she did not speak, nor, OF
course, did he.
Next morning, as he sat on the
sunny veranda with a Sunday pa
per StreWn about him, Parker
looked up to see Clara Brock
standing before him, gravely
arrayed in an outmoded black silk.
"Church?' he ventured, noting
her hesitation to say whatever it
was she had on her mind.
Il reckon you wouldn't care to
CO." she said, rather wistfully.
Somewhat to his own surprise.
he promptly consented, warning
her playfully that he was but lit
tie short of being a pagan and
would have to be coached when to
sit, kneel and stand.
"Oh-we don't have much of
that" assured Mrs. Brock. I'VE
stand up for the hymns and sit
through all the rest of it. You'll
hear Elise. She's singing a solo.
1t will be good, tool I want you
to listen, whether you're musical
or not. Maybe you are"
Il used to fiddle a little" con-
fessed Parker, as they strolled
down the quiet street. Not very
good at it."
Well" Mrs. Brock observed
philosophically. when strangers
say things like that about them.
selves you never can tell just what
they mean, can you? There's our
Elsie going in now"
The little church was ugly with.
out and dingy within, smelling of
varnish, though there was no evil
dence that any had been applied
recently.
TO Be COntinued)
Copyright, 1887. by Lloyd C. Douglass
Distributed by King FeaturSa