Evening star., 1938-01-06

Chapter VII.
UNIT PRUE continued. "Dana's
~ mother had a call from them
~ today. She thinks they'll
4 a come on to Marville after a
week or So"
Iris forced her voice to sound cas-
ual Did they have a good cross
ing' I rather imagine they'll go to
some plays before they come here"
Mrs. Curtis thought they'd had a
very nice trip. It seemed to me they
came back awfully soon," Aunt Prue
mused.
After dinner Iris led the way back
to the living room. She noticed Roger
selected the big green chair which
Dana always chose How odd to see
Rogers steady, brown eyes upon her,
instead of Dana's dark, searching
ones.
After an hour or so of conversa-
tion about the theater, PATHS coming
style show and news of Marville,
Aunt Prue went up to her room,
Iris and Roger sat on smoking until
the nre logs DurneQ OUT.
Sleepy" Iris asked as the last
sparks went out.
Roger confessed. You'll forgive
me?"
Iris smiled Il think I could sleep
q week myself. Shall we get up
about and eat Pauline's special
waffles?"
Roger crushed the ashes from his
cigarette. He looked down at Iris
curled up in the big chair. How like
a little girl she looked. How fortunate
he was to be invited to her home.
He took up her hands and held them
within his own for moment, and
then he pulled her out of the chair
up to bed you go!" he said
"You're in training for tomorrow"
At the top of the stairs she turned
to him for a moment. Roger, think
you're awfully nice"
Roger tipped her chin up with his
fingers. Il can't tell you what I
think about you." he said slowly as
he searched her eyes Then he leaned
forward and kissed her lips. I'll
SCC yOu III CllC lllllS, llC Sdll do
he opened the door to his room.
Iris walked slowly down the hall
to her room. She hadn't meant for
that to happen and was ashamed to
think Roger might believe she cared
for him. She did care for him, she
decided. He was like Hank and like
Dad had been. And Jim Hastings
three men she admired most. But
there was only one she could ever
care for in that other way.
It was almost unbelievable to her
the next morning that she had slept
so soundly. Aunt Prue tapped on her
door at 9.
"1ris, breakfast Is almost ready"
And as she opened the door the aroma
Of coffee and sizzling bacon preceded
her into the room.
"Prudy, darling" Iris reached her
arms up around her aunt's neck and
pulled her head down to her pillow.
You're like a tousled doll" said
Aunt Prue. stroking her hair from
Iris white temples. "Oh, Iris, are you
happy in the city? You're thinner,
dear. and you look tiny bit tired"
ITS grand thing for me, Aunt
Prue. I love it, How would you like
to 60 to Paris with me?" She placed
her finger over her lip, secretively.
"Patti's going to send me, but I
haven't told Roger yet. In fact,
you're the only one who knows"
Iris, you'd love it-but I'm not 50
sure about myself. I was so deathly
sick the last time"
You'll have me thinking you're a
real home body, Aunt Prue."
Il miss you so terribly. Iris. You
may be able to persuade me to CO."
"You sweet! We'd be very gay"
Pauline's plaintive tones outside
the door brought Iris quickly to the
floor. "All right. OGRE" she said. It'll
be down In a jiff."
"Mistah Rogah is down, awaitin'
To- you," grumbled Pauline II amt
brought yo' up to be a lazy chile.
A-keepin' comp'ny awaitin!"
Iris dashed into her shower. please
get me out some undies. Pauly, dear.
You had a grand dinner last night"
she threw out for a pacifier, and
Pauline smilingly laid out her clothes.
Use gwine down and set things on
the table now. said Pauline. An
mind me-don' you be more n three
minutes"
The three minutes were barely
past when Roger heard her step on
the stairs. Aunt Prue had already
eaten and elected to stay upstairs and
read.
Roger met Iris at the foot of the
stairs.
"Yes, Pauline told on you. You've
won her over completely" They en-
tered the cozy breakfast room, and
as Roger seated her Pauline poured
the batter in the iron for the first
waffle.
The day was crisp and lovely, and
they scuffed up the brown leaves un-
derfoot as they walked along a coun-
try road. After while they crossed
. small foot bridge to turn into the
woods along the river, and Iris point
ed out the place where she had
fallen into the small creek while
trying to walk the top rail of the
bridge.
She did 1t purposely to keep Roger