Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1941-02-28
CHAPTER 10

Janice smilingly commented:
"Mother will be hard to handle on
that subject. However, I'll see what
I can do" That is the way they
left it.
Janice was sure that her wedding
would be one of the biggest events
of the winter season. She would let
her mother battle and achieve that.
And she, Janice, could sit back and
explain to Kirk how much she hated
the whole idea, "but mother, you
know :"
Later when they went back to the
house, Mrs. HOLSTER had retired. Hol
lister, ST., was on the terrace. Kirk
told him the news.
Pm delighted. And it will make
your mother so happy!" He kissed
his prospective daughter-in-law with
a thankful heart. Janice sat with
folded hands in the darkness, smiling
planning planning. She scarce
ly paid any attention to her future
father-in-law saying: "The newspaper
accounts were not bad, Kirk. You
handled the situation WELL"
Janice's thoughts came back from
a long way as she heard Kirk re-
mark, "Sonny's nice child, father.
She isn't going to be difficult to
manage"
"I'm glad of that. 1t is big re-
sponsibility. For your mothers sake
I'm glad you were appointed guard
ian."
'I'm going to try to talk her into
going away to school," Kirk was say
ing. Janice leaned forward sudden
ly. That girl again! But it didn't
matter. She would be we'll out of
their lives
Kirk continued talking: ~ don't
want her staying on with Ann. That's
no place for her. made mistake.
So school seems the best way out"
He turned to Janice: ~ wish
things were different here at the
house so she could come here. I'd
feel easier. But I know that's i'm
possible. I'd like it if she could go
south with you and your mother this
winter"
Janice sat in silence. This winter
Kirk, noting her silence, under
stood, then said: "I'd rather wait I'M
til next summer to be married, Jan
ice. It would be better for Mother
that way. You understands"
"Of course" She tried to make
her voice warm.
Sonny is a responsibility. At
luncheon today :" his voice went
on. So he had lunched with that
grill
Shortly the senior Mr.. Hollister
left them, and Janice was unusually
silent.
"Happy?" asked Kirk affection
ately.
"Terribly!"
Kirk wanted her to understand a.
bout the wedding plans. He sensed
her acute disappointment.
~ want to get Sonny on some kind
of working basis before we go away.
I'd like to take you to Honolulu. But
we couldn't leave Mother now. And
by next summer Sonny will have
found herself"
Later, Kirk walked Janice home.
You're angry with me-" he pro-
tested mildly.
mo, but to think you'll have to
spend week on that grill"
you'll help me, Janice?"
"How can 1? The mere mention
s of her name brings it all back-Your
poor mother!"
ut wasn't Sonny's fault, Janice"
How can you say that? If she
hadn't married Tom, he'd be alive
today. He was so young to die. 1t
was so unnecessary-except for her!"
"You mustn't say that. 1t isn't
fair"
"But it's true. She knows it, tool"
"She blames herself. That's the
hardest thing for her."
Nonsense! She's having the time
of her life, I hear. Ann told me all
about it yesterday. You see, there's
going to be trouble. She's after
Alex"
"That's ridiculous. He's a fool!"
Kirk exclaimed with some heat.
"She'l be trying to get in with
your crowd. You'll see.'
"She could do worse. I know lot
Of nice people"
ashes wound you around her fin
ger from the first. l saw it that first
night! She's a schemer. She'll stop