The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-12-09
BOARD AND
ROOM GIRLS
CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN


breeze stirred the curtains and
ruffled the bright feathers Of the
canary swinging on his tiny perch.
L vas the hour Mss IAN liked
best when the world seemed fresh
er ana less weary. She opened the
door 50 that Old Fellow could exer-
else his aging bones by cautiously
picking his way across the wet
grass while she stood on the small
hack porch and performed her own
deep breathings Head high.
spine erect. expression and bearing
were almost militant as the So
year-old woman filled her lungs
with the good air.
Il was routine which had not
varied in 20 years and she felt the
need Of 1t more than ever lately
since the atmosphere Of her home
had become so charged with emo
ton.
II wasn't Just her own trouble,
that wound which Joan never
ceased to probe. but the unhappi-
ness OF her girls disturbed her. she
knew Faith was depressed and in
spite Of the nourishing food she
prepared for Daphne the child
wasn't eating enough to keep a
bird alive.
Whether she was really in love
with her husband or not the loss
Of her home and the security and
luxury which meant so much to
Daphne had been terrific blow.
"One must live one DAY at
time. Miss Van reminded herself
counting 10 and inhaling But
that is difficult TO learn when
girl is young Perhaps 1t was bet
ter to be like Svbil who never
seemed to let anybody bother her.
Then she heard her name and
returning 10 the kitchen found
Sybil wrapped in her thin white
negligee looking haggard and wan.
rs something the matter ," Miss
Van asked unable to recall any
time during the years Sybil had
been with her when this had hap
pened before.
The girl dropped into a chair at
the oil-cloth covered table.
Yes" she said I've been
awake nearly all night but I'm no
nearer a solution than I was be-
fore. Miss Van, you've simply got
TO help me. III do whatever you
say"
IN do my best" Miss Van said
beginning TO slice bread for the
toast She had a theory that it was
easier to confide in someone If that
person were apparently occupied
with something else. So she kept
on with her work of preparing
breakfast; running sharp knife
about the edges of the grape fruit,
heating the frying pan for the
bacon, all the time that sybil
talked.
I've played an unforgivable
trick on Faith" Sybil confessed.
you remember during the hoh-
days when that boy from her home
town was here? Well. I told Lee
Brent that they We're engaged"
She braced herself for Miss Vans
disapproval but the older woman
said quietly, Il suspected some
thing like that at the time. But
why did you do it? You were not
in love with him ,"
He was my friend first Sybil
reminded her in low. shamed
voice 1T hurt my pride to see him
falling for Faith. You see I've
never cared much for other girls.
II was only this summer that I've
learned to really Ike Faith: On,
know how despioable II was now.
and IL had realized how II feels
to be in love I never could have
done it."
do you think it still matters 20
Faith ?"
II know IT does She told me last
night she couldn't marry Hartley
Vance because she is in love with
Lee"
Il shouldn't think there would
be much doubt as to what you
ought to do about it then" Miss
Van said calmly.
You mean tell Lee the TRUTH
But II may be too late now. He
may not be interested in her any
more"
That's q chance you'll have 70
take. You'll never be at peace with
yourself until you've told both Of
them"
sybil turned pale as she said. Il
was afraid you'd say that. II seems
so useless after all this time and
of course when I do tell her Faith
is going to hate me-
Maybe not" Miss Van said
smiling at the troubled face oppo-
site her. Now run along and get
dressed or you'll be late for break
fast"
sybil kissed the clean. rosy cheek
shining from numerous strenuous
applications Of soap and water and
went slowly upstairs. But after she
had gone Miss Van sighed. So that
was why Lee Brent had suddenly
ceased his attentions u Faith
She had suspected something Ike
that at the time but Faith had
been 50 certain that Sybl had
nothing 10 do with IL
Well. thank goodness Sybil was
willing to clear II up II only things
turned out right for one Of them