Evening star., 1938-05-29

Then you have got to 60 with me. Hattie.
Hattie's arm swept the disordered room
the spilling bandboxes. And leave all them?'
They argued hotly, as they had for the pas
twenty-five years. then Hattie was defeatet
and went to dress. Diana was too absorbet
in her woes to give any thought to her daugh
ter. looking on 50 silently.
As soon as the door had closed on them
Dodie sprang up. 1t was the box of wigs thai
had given her her idea. Over its edge sprawle(
an ancient gray transformation. The littl'
Dodie had played with the wigs often enough
to have it on in three movements. A darI
pencil from makeup box drew faint line,
on the tired young face and Hattie's third
best hat. dismal black felt, was settled ove|
the gray waves with bit of veil dangling
Hattie's old black raincoat over her owl
cloak gave bulk and came almost to th|
shabby schoolgirl shoes. The general effed
was not queer enough to attract attentioI
on dark. wintry day, but it was not muc}
like Dodie Partridge. The telephone director1
listed pawnshops only few blocks distant
Dodie ran down the stairs and got out by tt|
service door unnoticed.
She was frightened. of course, miserabl
unhappy. lfshe were caught and investigated
it would mean serious scandal for Diana. q
the other hand, if she put it through, Diar
would be cleared and Gilbert Leslie humble
BY the time she had reached her first addres
the thrill of playing part had caught her U
1t was neat little German shop and only
fat and kindly woman stood behind the cou
ter. DOdie sidled in. Il wanted to raise
on these; she put a soft blur of Irish over h
voice and spread out the Jewels
The woman turned them over dubious1
"Are they real?"
Sure they're real"
Mrs. Schultz had her doubts. MY md
has just stepped out. You'll have to wa
till he -"
well. give me ten on them then and L
come back and fix it up with your man
Dodie pleaded. Il want ten dollars rigl
away. and you can see they're worth tha
My little boys in trouble" she added in
shamed undertone. She should have had h
ears boxed, for Mrs. Schultz's heart W;
touched and she asked no questions tn
ticket was made out to Irene Flannery and
address given that was later proved to be
fire engine house.
Dodie sped home. her knees tremblin
Opening the apartment door was a dreadf
moment, but no one was there. The rainco'
was slammed on its hanger and she had bare
got rid of the other properties and washed he
face when eleven struck. IF he comes, wi
take that part" Dodie told the world. TIL
night had won for her new freedom. She wal
no longer schoolgirl; but she blushed lik.
one when the doorbell rang.
Leslie had brought with him his manage}
who was curious to see Diana PARTRIDGE
girl Sam Green was very fat and very joll
and Dodie's likeness to Diana made hi1
laugh.
Il don't wonder your mother has bee
keeping you dark" he said, giving her han
innumerable little shakes. What is all tn |
nonsense about not wanting to act?"
Dodie was vibrant with secret excitement
There was triumph in the glance she gay
Leslie. "Oh. that was yesterday" she sal
blithely Leslie looked at her c,lriously. An!
one who had keenly observed Dodie last nig|
must have felt the difference in her.
Yesterday, when you were still littl
girl" he said, for her ears only, and inexplic3
bly, made her want to cry.
well, if you've got it in you. you ought
act," Sam Green was holding forth. Carr
on the family torch. Your mother is prett