Evening star., 1938-01-26

uScO W DC y SOTt Ol easy way UcVWCcA
us and now it's gone. He's self-con-
scious and his mind seems to wander
and he tries 10 hard to be natural and
like his old self that it hurts. I dVn't
know what's wrong"
She chanced to look at him just
then and the expression in his eyes
shamed her. In her self-pity she had
forgotten that once he had kissed her
and asked her to marry him, that he
loved her perhaps As much as she
loved Phil.
I'm sorry" she murmured con-
tritely. Il didn't mean to bother you
with those little things. ought to be
ashamed of moaning around So"
Don't say that. I want you to feel
close enough to me to tell me your wor-
ries. Let me help you when I can.
I've heard OF Vickie Stone in busi-
ness way. He's not entirely worthless;
In fact, he's a shreWd business man.
Always gets what he goes after. Moth
ing stops him. AS long as your sister Is
just having 4 good time, I wouldn't
fret"
That WAS what she had been wanting
to hear. ReaSsured about Babe by
some one she could trust, she felt anx-
iety drift away. He puffed medita-
lively on his pipe. Gradually the fire
died away and the trees crowded in
closer, seeming to shove each other
with huge, leafy shoulders.
THE night wind ruffled Chris hair
as she dreamed and grazed
her cheek with soft hand. She shiv-
cred, rather chilled, and in twin
king Mr.. Boscombe Of the ONCE was
back, efhciently assembling their scat
tered goods. Ten minutes later they
were on their way down the rocky little
path. Only once did he make refer
ence to their talk. II sincerely hope
that things will work out happily for
you and the young man. since that is
what you want" There was nothing
she could reply and she could only
tramp on in silence
They were all three OF them laugh
ing when Buddie suddenly gave a
little yelp Of surprise as he stumbled
over rock. He fell to the ground face
forward, and Chris hand caught
against her throat to see him culver
and then lie there without moving.
quickly she was beside him and had
him in her arms. Her eyes watched as
Mr.. Boscombe knelt and with shaking
fingers felt the quiet body. He seemed
carved from rock, his face stamped
with horror. Then she heard him
choke as the fingers lifted from the
curly head, tinged with blood.
Its a bad cut under his hair" he
said and his voice was harsh. I'VE
must get him home at once.
Chris was long to remember the
drive back to the Boscombe home. The
black OF the sky closed down on them.
The headlights pierced it like white
not needles. Hunched over the wheel
the man drove like a soul possessed
and when an occasional lurch of the
speeding car threw her against him
she could feel the tensed muscles in
MS arms and shoulders. Cushioned
against her breast lay the boy, his hair
caught in the buttons of her Jacket
His face was hot and he was quiet. One
hand was holding hers tightly and he
moaned bit now and then.
IT SEEMED like a long, long night
until the doctor had come and
gone. but it was only an hour later
Mrs Fergus, the housekeeper, closed
the door Of Buddies room and trotted
INTO the living room where Mr.. Bos-
combe and Chris sat, side by side.
waiting.
There now, Mr.. Ernest, SIR" she
said consolingly. "the lads sound
asleep. all bapdaged up like those
turbaned princes you were telling us
OF once. I declare to goodness. you
look sicker than he does" She clucked
her tongue with maternal anxiety and
turned to Chris. you could both do
with a cup of tea. I'll have it here
for you in a moment" And the good
lady went, her dress rustling, down
the hallway into the kitchen.
It's quite late. isn't it?" Chris