Evening star., 1939-06-25

The instant of doubt was reflected IN
Audrey's eyes, Audrey's mother was more
than a little alarmed We'll, now" she said,
Il didn't say he wouldnt show up. l only
said -"
She broke off, turning guilty to Audreys
father We'll" said that harried individual,
its this way, Audrey. Your mother and
don't know exactly what to think. If this
friend of yours is just another wolf in sleeps
clothing -" .,
He faltered, looking trife ashamed. And
in this instant the conversation was inter-
rupted in fashion that was highly dramatic
The bell rang. Audrey went to the door - and
there, on the threshold, was none other than
Mr. Evans himself.
He greeted the Rey,ioldses as old friends,
tried and true - then he turned with con-
fident smile to Audrey. Well" he said. How
about our contract? Have you won over this
nice daddy of yours?"
1t was Audreys father who answered him.
I'D rather like to get this thing straight"
he said slowly. "Dyou mean to say it's just
a question of Audrey getting on train -
going out there?"
Evans nodded. That's right" he said.
you've read the contract, Mr.. Reynolds.
Five hundred week."
Five hundred week" Audrey repeated,
hoarsely. Five hundred week.
Her fathers eyes rested on her for mo-
ment. Then he contemplated the toe of his
shoe with an air of quiet desperation.
OH Mr.. Evans said, slight ripple
of amusement in his voice. There's one small
thing as matter of fact, it had almost
slipped my mind!'
Charles Reynolds looked up. "Yes?'
Nothing of any consequence, of course.
But to take care of the little legal fofmalities
involved - all that sort of thing. It's
nominal sum-a matter of three hundred
dollars -
'Oh-h!' said Audrey's father. so that's
it,
There was an awkward little silence.
Audrey's throat was dry and she swallowed
hard That was such peculiar thing for her
father to have said But Mr.. Evans was
merely looking amused. 1t was Audrey who
asked, now, if they couldn't have just little
more time But even while MIR. Evans was
asserting to this, Audrey's father walked over
to the door and held it open And now, for the
second time. Mr.. Evans was gone.
Audrey. with mighty effort, controlled
herself She was searching for words that
would make this thing clear to the meanest
intelligence.
Nov, look, Dad - she said. Don't
you really see how that three hundred dollars
would come out of my very first weeks salary?
So why in the world couldn't you give it to
me instead of what you were going to give me
for graduation? Or graduation and my birth
day besides? mean when it S something like
this that means practically my whole life
and what in the world is Mr.. Evans going to
thinko''
Her father closed his eyes for a moment, as
if calling upon an inner strength.
Audrey -" he said then, carefully. I'm
trying to make you understand this, dear.
Mr.. H. Crawford Evans is crook - pretty
contemplate kind Of crook. It's his game to
try and extract three hundred dollars out
of -"
'Oh, no." Audrey shook her head, speaking
with gentleness equal to his own. ''Oh, no!
And it isn't that blame you for it, Dad. But
it's Just what comes from living in small
town 50 long. Why, people in small town
like this have such completely and absolutely
different idea about these things! Because you