Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-11-27

in one of those long hobs and was
topped by hat that was silly but
at the same time very effective. But
1t was none of these things that drew
attention. 1t was something in the
small oval face, singularly appealing
q wistfulness, perhaps, of shy de-
sire to please.
Larry Carvel, waiting on the sta
ton platform, saw her at once and
rushed forward. He took both her
hands as she stepped down and
held them tightly, despite her eff
forts to release them, and planted
a quick kiss on her mouth.
'Larry!" she protested with en-
barrassed laughter.
"Darling!" he exclaimed. you're
really here What fun we're going
to have this winter. What excite
ment! You wait-you1l be glad !
talked you into this"
Would she really? she wondered
as he picked up her luggage and
led the way to his car.
"Drillford looks pretty dull,
know" he said, sensing her doubt,
"but it's okay if you know the
right people and the right places
to 60"
ut isn't so much the looks of the
town, Larry Janet explained,
turning her dark eyes on him shyly,
"as it is that I don't know whether
I'll do well at the job. I hadn't
planned on teaching, you know"
Larry laughed uproariously. "The
teaching1l be a snap!" he assured
her. "You don't need to worry
with my old man on the board"
At know" She pushed down her
glove and looked at the watch on
her wrist. 1t was nearly 8 o'clock.
She didn't want to be late on the
very first day. And in spite OF
Larry's laughter, she couldn't rid
herself of that cold lump of dread
inside her at thoughts of the job.
A Romance Which Failed.
It seemed impossible. Shed always
had an awe of teachers, and Ger
tainly she'd never had the faintest
idea she'd ever be one. Shed met
Larry at college. He was one of
the perpetual collegiates, always at
tending the games and college func-
lions. He'd met Janet at some sort
of party. He'd been married, but
his wife was getting divorce. He
became at once one of Janet'S most
persistent admirers. They'd had fun
together, but Janet had never taken
him seriously then. Shed never
taken any one seriously except Dirk.
She and Dirk had been going to
be married as soon as they were
through college Then that last year
they'd somehow drifted apart. Or
had Dirk gently disengaged him.
self from her? 1t didn't matter All
that mattered was that Dirk had
married some one else.
II think this was an inspiration"
Larry chartered on happily, get
ting you this teaching job in Drill
ford so we could be together" He
put one of his hands over hers,
squeezed gently. Wen have fun"
Eyes, of course we will, Larry"
She smiled at him. But she was
little frightened. She wasn't in
love with Larry She wouldn't ever
be in love again-after Dirk. In
fact she was determined not to
ever. But ones life had to have
some direction, even If ones heart
was dead
II mustn't be Late" she told Larry
anXiously.
at won't matter" was Larry's
blithe response. I'll show you
around some before we dump you
at your job" he said with touch
of impatience. He began pointing
out various landmarks as he drove.
She was hardly listening.
A Bad Start.
She supposed she'd end up by
marrying Larry because he expected
her to, and she seemed content
to drift along, letting other people
make up her mind for her about
things. Larry" she demanded,
you really must take me to the
school, because I was to report at g."
who said SOP" he growled as he
swung around a corner.
"It was the-the letter, from a
Mr.. Malone-Stephen Malone"
"All right. It's in the next block"
He began driving fast. Larry was
fond of being deliberately reckless.
Suddenly Janet screamed, and there
was shrill grind of brakes as Larry
brought the car to stop. They'd
hit a dog, right in front of the
schoolhouse.
Damn dog!" Larry said furiously.
Ran right in front of u.s."
Janet was holding her hands over
her face.
Larry climbed out OF the car,
stood there for second, looking
down.
He looked up frowning as some
one came out of the school then.
Hello, Steve" he said.
Janet took her hands away from
her face and stared at the new
conner. So this was Mr.. Malone.
He was a tall man, very Sol1dly
built, with enormous shoulders and
slim hips and an erect carriage. He
wasn't old at all, as she had mag
ined. He had, she noticed, very
direct blue eyes and a square jaw.
Just now he was very angry. He
knelt beside the dog and shook his
head obviously. Just then a small
boy came running down the steps
of the school. His face was tear
streaked, and Janet felt a quick
stab of pity at the sight of him.
A Slight Embarrassment.
There now, Benny" Malone said,
holding the boy against him, trying
to quiet the sobs shaking the small
shoulders. cit was over 50 quick
he never knew what happened"
Larry Carvel shifted on his feet.
I'm SORRY" he said abruptly. ~And
of course, If you'll tell me how
much he was worth" He was
taking out his bilfold, peering
into 1t.