The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-12-12
Board and Room Girls
BY VIDA HURST
CHAPTER THIRTY

CHAPTER THIRTY
Daphne looking very small an
frightened vas lying on the bed
chnginE To Miss Vans hand.
What's the matter Faith
asked entering The room.
Miss Van explained with as
zimed oheerfulness. "Dsphns's
had : little spell Of Mysteries. But
the doctor has given her some
thing 10 make her sleep. Every
things GONG 10 be all right
now"
Daphne sad weakly. 7 don't
see how you can say that. Things
are more complicated now than
they've ever been"
Well you Just take my word
for IT," Miss Van soothed. pstting
her hand. You stay in bed for
day or two and you'n soon be
yourself again
TN never be myself again.
Daphne sighed. Never, never as
long as 7 live"
Miss Van lifted her eyebrows to
Faith indicating for her 10 leave
the room. To Daphne she said
Go 10 sleep now, child. I'm going
TO stay right here until you
do"
Looks Tired
Faith went downstairs and II
was not long before the older
woman followed her. She looks
exhausted. Faith thought, as II
she were the one 10 he in bed.
But Miss Van came into the liv-
ing room and closed the door be-
hind her saying. I've something
to tell YOU. Faith" When they
were both seated she said impress
sively, Daphne is going to have
a baby"
"A baby Faith repeated. She
couldn't imagine Daphne as
mother even under the most for
tunate circumstances. Certainly
not now with neither husband nor
money.
NO wonder she is scared" she
said soberly.
That's no way 10 talk" Miss
Van reproved. It's the most won
derful thing that can happen To
any woman
But not under the circum-
stances Faith argued, surprised
to see Miss Vans blue eyes burn
ing with enthusiasm.
She's married, isn't she >" she
inquired.
Yes, but
Daphne Is III
God works in a mysterious
way" the Dutch woman quoted,
AS you and Daphne will under
stand when you are as old as I
am. You must be careful not 10
disturb her tonight. Faith, and to-
morrow you can tell them at the
store that she is i'll. Everything
is going to work out. I feel sure.
There is nothing to worry about.
You mean you're going to take
care Of her. But, Miss Van. you
have more to do now than You
should. And a baby ;" Faith
paused. Don't you think Dudley
Manton ought to support her for
a while? At least until she's we'll
again"
Tomorrow" Miss Van an
nounced, Il personally shall have
an interview with that man. But
don't mention it to Daphne. I don't
want her TO know about it
II the sight of the raw-boned
sixty-yesr-old woman in her neat
blue dress and hat was a surprise
10 Dudley Manton he gave no sign
Of II. He asked his secretary tc
leave them alone and when the
door had CLOSED he said quietly. -
suppose you've come about Daph.
ne. What is it she wants."
Daphne doesn't know that I've
come 10 you" Miss Van safe
sternly But there's something
think you ought 10 know"
She noticed then that in spite Of
his controlled manner the hand
playing with a paper weight or
his desk was shaking. Was il be-
cause he still loved Daphne or
because the very mention of her
name enraged him ?
Was Warned
I'm not condoning what Daph-
ne did in marrying a man she
didn't love- Miss Van continued.
Il warned her az the time il
wouldn't work but the strange
part about II IS that was wrong.
No matter what you overheard
Mr.. Manton or what your private
, opinion is-if you had listened a
few minutes longer instead Of get
ting mad and storming out Of the
houSe you'd heard her tell Faith
that she was now in love with
you"
Did Daphne really tell Faith
that" he demanded staring into