Evening star., 1940-04-03

snow covered streets had been like
dream. She felt as II she had
been with him in a magic world
where nothing ugly could exist.
Her cheeks felt fresh from the
cold damp air. Her eyes were dane
ing like stars as she opened the door
OF the room where Anna waited.
II was worried about you," her
mother admitted. You're late. I
suppose the snow has made all the
cars off schedule"
The snow is wonderful" Gail
murmured. Like q lovely white
carpet spread over all the dirt and
drabness of the city"
Anna looked at her wondering
how she could be so radiant.
How quickly youth recovered its
high spirits. Her daughter mad
lef. IN the morning pale and list
less, refusing her breakfast and was
returning at the end of what must
have been an exhausting day with
roses blooming from her cheeks.
Something smells awfully good,'
Gail cried. "Oh, Swiss steak. And
Waldorf salad. Wonderful. I'm so
hungry I can hardly wait"
Anna had worried all day for
fear Gail wouldn't eat any dinner
after she had cooked it. The
womans heavy heart lightened with
the only joy she ever felt but if
she known the cause of this change
how different would have been her
reaction.
Mood Persists.
AS Christmas approached Calls
mood held. Gently but persistently
she discouraged any discussion Of
the past trying to divert her
mothers mind by relating incidents
which had happened at the store;
suggestion that she spend more time
with Aunt Belle or accompanying
her to 2 movie. Bill helped. Anna
definitely liked him now and he
seemed to be more at ease with
Calls mother than he was with Gail.
On Christmas eve when he DROP
ped in with candy for her he brought
pot of sweet African violets for
Anna, a gift which brought tears
to the older Womans eyes.
Aunt Belle came for Christmas
dinner. 1t was she who answered
the door when a messenger brought
that other small package which
bore Calls name.
Feels like jewelry," Aunt Belle
remarked handing it to her niece.
Gail knew instantly that it was
from Chris. She said nothing but
her heart almost suffocated her as
she tore off the wrappings and
disclosed the small white box.
Inside was a tortoise shell comb
IN delicate case marked with her
initials in tiny diamonds.
Some Mistake.
She held it murmuring, There
must be some mistake"
Mistake nothing" Belle Meadows
snorted. Its marked with your
initials, isn't 1t? But of couse, Gail
you can't keep it. Those are real
diamonds"
They are such little ones" Gail
said thinking how she disliked Aunt
Belle when she spoke so positively.
ITS from Reid's too," Miss
Meadows cried, pouncing on the
box with ghttering eyes. For shame,
Gail, shouldn't think you'd even
consider accepting a present from
Christopher Reid"
III give 1t back to him." Gail
promised. "if you wont say any
thing about it to mother. There's
no use spelling her day by worry
ing about it."
She returned it with a note ex-
planning that it was impossible for
her to keep it. But he promptly
retorted with the statement which
she knew was true. 1T was marked
especially for you. Impossible to
put 1t back in stock"
Terse Note.
The note was so terse she Won
dered If he were angry. But in
any case there was nothing to do
but put the comb into its case
and bury it in the depths of her
dresser drawer.
She told herself the situation
was daily becoming more involved.
Now that the holidays were over
there was no longer any excuse
for delay.
There were only two suspects
left on her list. She must do what
she could to clear up the mystery,
then leave Reid's as suddenly as she
mad arrived. She couldn't hope for
any peace of mind until this had