The Coolidge examiner., 1937-08-05

ners looked away through the ex-
quisite silky shadows of haf-low-
cred lashes. Victoria's heart sank;
she knew that gentle patience, she
knew that long. resigned sigh. All
was not going well between her
mother and Ferdy.
The luncheon was cleared away;
the two women resumed their chairs
by the wood fire.
There are a thousand persons to
whom ought to telephone, Madga
said lazily. Il won't. l love this
sitting here with you. You haven't
told me anything about yourself.
Vicky. have you seen or heard any,
thing of your father?"
The question came suddenly, and
with it the color rose to Magda's
face.
Yes. saw Dad about two weeks
ago." she said aloud
Magda added no further ques-
tions. but her eyes were expectant.
He's married again. you know,
Mummy. l wrote you that. And
they're going to have d baby. They
were married last February. and
they expect the baby at Christmas.
He simply adores Olivette. and he's
all excited about the baby"
Hal" Magda said and fell
thoughtful. Still up in Scatter"
He says he loves it."
Magda twisted the Herrendeen
pearls in beautiful restless fingers.
But for some reason or other she
felt a little chill in the air. felt
that her mother wasn't wholly
pleased with the news that Dad
was happy and that a new baby was
on the way.
"Ferdy." said Madga, out of
Ferdy is strange crea-
ture, Vicky. l may as we'll tell you
now as at any time that every
things wrong-its all wrong"
Victoria was silent. puzzled, and
after pause Magda went on light
ly:
And so-Mr Fernando Ainsa y
CASTILLO Manners and l have de-
cided to separate No. no, no, not
a divorce" she interrupted herself
to say quickly. as Vicky's stricken
face was turned from the fire in
involuntary protest. He doesn't
want divorce. If he got a di-
vorce Maud Campbell would have
him married before he could turn
around, so he doesn't want a di-
vorce, and neither do l. If you get
a divorce they can do all sorts of
funny things about alinony, 60 to
court and have it adjusted and less
ened-I don't know what they can't
do. But a separation means that
you and / can live where we like.
and do as we please. And so it's to
be Europe-off we go! I'll get you
some things-or we can get them
there"
The only thing" Victoria began
somewhat hesitantly, Ought Ferdy
pay for me, too? / mean. it's all
right for a visit-it's all right for
few months. But after all-after all
he doesn't owe me-
Its my money. and you're with
me. j." Magda explained simply, with
a touch of impatience.
Il was thinking of Ferdy, Vic"
Mag6a said, out of silence, land
thinking" she stopped for a long
sigh-"thinking of the tremendous
difference there is in men," she
said.
Il mean. Vic" she began again.
as Victoria could find nothing to
say mean that-well, l suppose
was thinking of Lucius Farmer.
who's he?" A familiar tighten
ing. familiar sinking sensation
was at Victoria's heart. Oh. dear.
Oh. dear. This was commencing
again was it?
You must know his name, dar-
ling. He's about the most success
full painter of murals in America.
He made the trip with US from
Buenos Aires, but he lives down
here in Carmel with a perfectly
impossible wife and daughters"
And what did the impossible wife
and daughters think of you, Num-
my?"
"Oh. they weren't along-perish
the thought! No, he was alone"
Magda's voice fell to a dreamy
note. "One Of the finest men"
she said, under her breath. Il mean
one Of the simplest and-and big
gest-and gentlest-
This life would be heaven for
women, Vic. if many men were like
himl"
And again Victoria could find
nothing to say.
LuciuS Farmer came tc see them
the next morning.
Magda was restless; Victoria had
gone into her own room to try on a
gown her mother had brought her.
1t was of sheer batiste, embroidered
delicately with tiny garlands Of
roses, all in white. 1t was the sort
of gown that makes any girls eyes
dance, and Victoria, coming back
with its frail folds blowing about
her, wore the radiant expression