Evening star., 1941-05-15

feel a warm affection for him, and
Lucy, too. And he knew also that 1t
would be best to put off saying any,
thing about leaving in Lucy's pres
ence. But, as Cynthia said, it was
| just nonsensical to think about
staying. Even if he didn't take Mr..
Carriers job, he'd be finding some
sort of a position in the fall.
What do you want with it?" Mrs.
Crews had said, her round face
crinkling at Lucy. "Why-to eat,
of coursei"
Pleased by Results.
He muttered something about
expense.
Your grandmother left thousands
of jars over there, just sitting empty,
and the fruit and things will go to
waste. We might as well put
them up"
Rather than disappoint them, he
set about the tasks they appointed.
He was surprised to catch himself
admiring with Lucy the vivid grow
ing rows Of shining jars set on their
pantry shelves.
X
Court" Cynthia called gayly as
| she came through the house. She
stopped short In the kitchen door
way, staring at Mary, flushed and
perspiring as she stood over the
range stirring some steaming con-
coction in a huge kettle. oh" she
| said fatty, its you again"
Mary Crews tried to force smile
to her lips. Courts in the orchard
picking peaches she said quietly.
Cynthia leaned against the door
frame. her dark eyes smoldering. She
was in white, exquisitely cool and
well groomed. She gave Mary a
thin-lipped smile. you're trying
awfully hard to make big hit with
| Court, aren't you?'
"I don't know what you mean"
Mary said stanchly. A sickening |
wave of anger swept through her. !
And the way her glance wavered and
defiant line came about her mouth, |
betrayed to Cynthia that her words |
had struck a vulnerable spot.
"I must say" Cynthia went on, "in
all fairness, that you're using the
wrong tactics, my dear. Court really |
doesn't 60 for this sort of thing. You
do look rather untidy, you know, |
standing over that hot stove. And |
besides, you're really wasting your
| time, because Court and are going
to be married.
A wave of red crept over Mary |
Crews face, and her blue eyes
blazed. She brushed back a tendril
of hair from her hot cheek, and
quietly explained the arrangement
they'd made with Court about the
preserving. That's why I'm here"
she finished.
Imposing, Says Cynthia.
You're imposing on Court" Gym
thia said sharply. HE won't need
all that stuff when he isn't even |
going to be on the farm. He's 60
ing to take the job fathers offer
ing him!"
Mary Crews stiffened Court had
| really made his choice then? He |
was going away, he and Lucy? Why |
hadn't he told her? It was all over |
now. Misery washed over her in a |
choking smother tide. She wanted !
to get away somewhere, to hide,
alone, until the storm inside her |
should subside.
You are in love with him." Gym |
thia seid fatty. This is all q play |
for him"
Tears sprang into Mary Crews
eyes and her lips trembled in spite |
of all she could do. You and your |
precious Court" she cried. Il don't |
want him! Why, he's-he's nothing |
but "a spineless child! You can |
have him. I was only doing this"
she motioned fiercely at the steam
ing kettle, because I felt sorry for |
him. He's $3.50 helpless. Let him |
60 back to his playboy life. I think |
you're perfectly right in saying this |
isn't the sort of life for him." She |
had presence of mind enough to
push the kettle to a cool part of the |
stove, and then she rushed out, |
slamming the screen behind her |
For the second time she ran from |
one Of Courts friends.
Cynthia watched her 60. A cold |
smile curved her petulant mouth. |
She saw Court coming, swinging !
down the hill from the orchard, a |
basket of peaches on his shoulder. |
The summer had transformed him |
into tall bronzed giant. His eyes |
were black and laughing in the lean |
tanned strength of his face. His |
dark hair was burned by the sun so |
that it held reddish lights.
Look" he cried to Cynthia as
she came to meet him, aren't these |
the most beautiful peaches you ever
sawP" He swung the basket down.
And they're delicious. Take one!
Why Cynthia, If those trees were |
taken care of, there'd be pile of
money to be made right in that
orchard alone. never realized it
before!"
He wiped one of the peaches with