The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-12-01


 Startled, Diana realized that Evalyn thought this was a "regu- lar" marriage. And staring at her, saving thank you" in 0 confused stammer, Diana in that moment knew.
 This lovely, chlld-llke woman with her air of gentle gracious ness - was blindl
 She tried to concentrate on the other guests - to be gay and charming and amusing = to be kind to old Ellen Curt who had come out of her seclusion for the occasion - but always her eyes came back to Evalyn Thorpe. All during dinner Diana found it al- most impossible to tear her gaze away from Evalyn. She knew the other guests might think her rude and strove time and again to cen- ter her thoughts on those about her. She felt a little resentment toward stephen. He should have somehow prepared her for this experience. Diana knew that she would feel great restlessnesS until she could know this woman better,
 Phil, who was seated ct her left, finally claimed Diana'S attention. You're wondering about Evalyn, aren't your" he asked in a low voice,
 "Yes," she answered. She's so lovely - one doesn't at first sus- pect--"
 "That she's blindp But she has been since birth" Phil explained, We were all brought up together Steve, Evalyn, and I, Our fam lies were neighborS, We've all ways been fond of each other"
 Diana was silent for a moment, How can a woman like that re- fleet all the loyelineSs that the world has, when she has never seen any of It's beauties9" she asked finally,
 Phil smiled. After you've known her a while youll realize that Evalyn has an Inner beauty and light which makes what VIC sec with the outer eye fade Into insignincance,"
 You mean she's never seemed unhappyP"
 If she ever Is, she keeps 1t to herself, I've often wondered how especially since she married Richard Thorpe"
 You don't like him, thenp" she asked sensing another bond be- tween them.
 "You won't either, when you know him better Phil answered shortly.
 Diana laughed, T know him well enough already. I used to work for himl"
 After dinner, in the drawing room, Q young man began to play the plano soothingly while Adela had the bridge tables set up, Diana wished she might forget her duties as hostess and talk to Evalyn Thorpe, But old MT. Wetherhy, a great bore who insisted on putting the worst possible Interpretation on the Euro pean situation, waylNid her with Q recital of his view and she was ob- | liged to listen politely. stephen was called to the telephone and stayed for some time ana Dtana's duties were increased, She saw that Adela was growing . bit loud and rowdy ard signaled to Larkin not to serve any more cocktails for the present,
 When stephen came back he went to sit beside Evalyn and the others settled to bridge. which Diana disllked and played badly thereby calling down on her heac some eausle remarks from Mrs Wetherby who was one of her op' ponents.
 Adela demanded loudly to know who had stopped the cocktails ant assured Larkin that he was tC take orders only from her, From then on she proceeded quite sys' tematically to get drunk in com pany with the young man at the piano. Finally stephen spoke tC her In . low. sharp tone, reducing her to maudlin tears and caus' Ing her to run out of the room screaming, "You didn't treat mt like this before that stenographel came herel"
 Old Ellen muttered, "Drat the girlw and threw down her cards In disgust,
 Then 1t was that Evelyn Thorpe left her place in the big white leather chair by the fireside called Diana's name and, guided by her voice, came to stand be. side the flushed, uncomfortable girl, her hand on Diana's shoul. der as If to say, Never mind, my dear, we all understand that Adela Is a sponed, unhappy child"
 But aloud she said clearly, q want you to have luncheon with me on Thursday, Diana. We mus get to know each other better"
 Diana covered the slender hanc on her shoulder with her owr fingers in a quick gesture of grati' tude. T shall be happy to come, she said, land thank you."
 Later, Richard Thorpe came tC stand behind Diana and at th' first possible moment caught hel attention. The bridge game hac | huairny. .y.A o~A kSaaxy Nxyasa all &aly.