Evening star., 1938-01-05

he proudly LED them to the back
of the inn and showed them a squirrel
His pretty young mother came out
then, and Roger ordered sandwiches
and coffee.
After lazy half hour before the
open fireplace. they we're on their
way again. The late October sun
sank in crimson bed of clouds, and
the dusk crept up with chilly blan-
ket. After while Roger turned on
the radio and soft dance music from
a New York hotel came to them.
The downstairs blazed with lights to
welcome them. and Aunt Prue opened
the door and stepped out on the
veranda as the car door slammed.
Iris kissed her and made the in
Productions. Aunt Prue led the way
back into the living room, her moth
erly face beaming with pleasure.
It's SO nice of you to let me come,
Miss Barton" said Roger.
Its delightful to have you. I was
so happy last night when Iris called"
Iris hugged the frail shoulders.
Il haven't meant to neglect you,
Prudy. but you know how it is with
business women" She caught a
glimpse of Pauline's anxious flutter-
lngs above the sparkling glass of
| the dining table. Pauline! Come
here. please" she called.
A broad smile lit up Paulines black
face as she placed her wide, highly
polished shoes in anxious precision
and walked carefully in to meet the
quality folks.
"How's my honey chile?" she looked
anxiously at the tell-tale circles under
Iris eyes
Fine She squeezed Paulines
hands. Pauline. this is Mr.. vasche
He dotes on hot biscuits and fried
chicken"
Ian sakes!' She bowed hurried
ly. Use plumb fo'got de biscuits in
do oben!' And forgetting herself,
she hurriedly uaddled kitchenward.
Pauline has been in the. family
ever since she was a child" Aunt
Prue said. She's taken care of Iris
since she was baby Iris mother
was a Baltimore girl, and Pauline
came with her to Maville after she
was married"
Pauline certainly kept me in line
when l was little" Iris reminisced.
If I didn't toe the mark she would
shame me by asking If I wanted to
be po' white trash or quality folks"
Roger smiled. I'll bet part of the
time you'd rather have been 'po white
trash too" he said.
Aunt Prue laughed quietly. How
we'll you've come to know her! Don't
you want to 60 up. Iris? Dinner will
be ready in a few minutes"
Iris preceded Roger up the wal
nut stairway and paused at the open
door OF Hanks room. Heavy ma
hogany furniture gave it a mascu-
line note, and a fire burned brisklv
in the CRATE
Hank went in for ships when he
was young and never outgrew them"
said Iris, nodding at an oil painting
over the fireplace of a wind-tossed
ship on turbulent sea. A row of
ship models made of pipestem cleaners
decorated the mantel, and black pen
and ink sketches overlooked the big
desk.
Roger set his suitcase down in front
of the dresser. Its just like home"
ne said wistfully. Il used to struggle
with ship models by the hour. These
are unusually good, you know" he
said, picking up the largest. What
did you go in for?"
Il? Why paper dolls, of course"
She laughed. Come here" and she
led him into another room.
It's beautiful" Roger thought, "and
just like Iris" The sheer, ruttled
white curtains were caught back with
a rose-colored cord echoing the pre-
dominant note Of the glazed chintz
Grapes and the f1ounced spread on
lhe narrow poster bed. The dressing
table held a heavy gold dresser set,
but the room itself was simply fur
nlshed. like schoolgirls boudoir
Look" Iris crossed to a window
seat and pushing aside the curtains
displayed secret lid.
My treasure chest" She opened
it to lift out metal strong box.
tnen rummaged in drawer and pro-
duced a key.
Roger smiled as she pulled out tiny
drawers and disclosed dolls with their
entire Wardrobes inside.
This is Mehitable," said Iris, land
Therese, my French doll; Siene. nv
Swedish DOLL Rosita, nv Mexican:
Lo Wan, the japanese. Oh, I've had
one for every country"
so this was the beginning of your
career as a dress designer"
Iris suddenly gasped. Imagine NV
showing you my dolls Truly. you're
the only man I've ever dared show
them to-" How Dana would have
teased her for having kept them all
these years.
I'll bet you had lot of fun max.
ing them. Why shouldn't you keep
them?"
"A silvery note from the dining gong
drifted up to them.
Pauline will be furious if I snoil
- ~~Ao'. A4oAly: one OuS0ed
Roger out the door. Don't dress "
She tapped on Rogers door as she
passed and they walked down the
stairs together, her fingers slipped
under his arm. For a brief second
ne covered them with his hand and
she felt a comforting strength In
the movement
AS they crossed the living room
Aunt Prue joined them.
Iris" she said. Miriam and Dana
are back"
Iris smile was stilled. A hurt.
startled expression swept across her
face.
YES" she said lightly, Il saw him
on the street yesterday"
Dana, Roger thought, that is the
mans name.
Continued Monday.)
tCopyright. 1881
Monday: Roger and Iris take 4
hike thrOJlph the falde aud ,1s;$ a