Evening star., 1938-12-25

comforted. She felt, now that it was
too late. that she belonged to all these
people and they to her. They were
just like herself and Cal. trying to get
along, to save a little. having little
fun, build for the future
A clock in some nearby tower struck
midnight This was the beginning Of
Christmas Eve Another midnight
and Christmas would be here She
could not find Cal and he would never
come home of his own accord. Her
marriage was over and she would go
home to her mothers house. change
ling But she did not cry. She was
beyond tears now in some still sober
place. Then she heard chimes swing
ing over the city Somewhere someone
was playing through the still night
''Blest Christmas Morn -
If she could have another chance --
another chance, not to ask Cal ii he
loved her. but to prove her love for
him. Another chance to make friends
with Alva and with the nice boy who
had looked in the dance hall, and the
men in the Bowling Alley and all the
people Cal knew and liked Another
chance to cook good meals and shop
carefully.
She stopped outside their own build
ing and quite simply and naturally
lifted her face to the stars and prayed
for it, She remembered that once
before she had PRAYED for Gals love.
She must pray for it again. Perhaps
she must pray for it again and again
as !lie went on She would go upstairs
and she would wait right in the little
fiat for Cal The man had gwen her
good advice. Sooner or later Cal must
come back for fresh clothes. for one
thing or another and she would be
waiting there.
Maxine mounted the stairs slowly
1t would be hard to stay there all
alone. If she had been homcsick before.
think how 1t would be without Gals
key IN the lock at the stroke OF the
hour, without anyone to cook for.
without any young head on the pillow
beside her own. Why she could never
go home again. How strange she would
tccl IN her mothers house, having to
do things her mother 5 way.
She put the key IN the lock and went
in The light still burned III the dining
living room and there was Cal sitting
bv the table with his head on his arms.
He was asleep lie had been crying.
He had her little foolish kitchen apron
IN his hands.
Maxine closed the door softly and
went and stood beside HIM. Her heart
had gwen a great lurCh and was now
beating hard and fast. He had come
back. Stubborn as the Ebers were. he
could not stay away from her. She
felt a great responsibility in his help
lcssncss. She stopped and kissed him.
Gal" she SAID - Merry Christ
mas, darling" He jumped up and his
arms came around her.
Max - where have you been: Oh,
| thought you had taken me at my
word and gone Tor good. I've been so
mean to YOU - and love you so.
was Jealous, Max - because you were
homesick. Never leave me -
i've been out looking for you,
she told him. She touched his cheek.
She told him where she had been.
"It's all been my fault" she SAID. Il
wanted to be married and be girl at
home at the same time Oh, Cal, l do
love you and we mustn't quarrel
any more
We'll quarrel right now if you
blame yourself another word. You've
been an angel and I've acted like
spoiled brat. l wanted you to pet me
and praise me and make it easy for
me all around and overlook my faults
- and most of all wanted you to be
absolutely satisfied with me - as
though you could forget your people
like that. But I've grown up tonight.