Evening Star Newspaper, May 26, 1929, Page 103

] ] TON, D. C, MAY 26, 1929—PART 7. 13 ION Very weakly he murmured: “I hope you may be mistaken, Miss Scripps. That is only my Uncle George.” defense before the conviction written in Miss Scripp’s piquant face, he added: “Be confident, at any rate, my dear lady, that I shall deal with the situation as it deserves.” “But not now,” said Miss Scripps apprehen- sively. “I think the best thing to do will be to offer them an example of conduct proper,” she said, and Mr. Roberts thought she was right. The fact was that, the more he thought of Miss Scripps, the righter he thought she was. He wondered if Uncle George was observing how right Miss Scripps was. But, unfortunately, Uncle George was ob- serving only a pair of cobalt blue eyes, their lighting and fading, the direction of their glances, and, when they turned to his, their, Justrous softness—for eyes are a matter. of texture, too. The just perceptible movement of her smooth ‘white shoulder called his atten- tion to » mensce of romantic intrigue at an adjoining table. She murmured a. few words and he smiled and said her name, “Marion.” Presently a fox trot appealed to them, and they left the table to join the dancers on the wide floor in the center of the room. “I should think all that would lose its appeal —eventually,” said Mr. Roberts. “It’s not so bad for your mother, Miss Scripps. She seems almost young. But I hope, when I've reached my uncle’s time of life, I have other interests than dancing.” A grand duke of Old Russia danced by. The reigning king of a northern land danced by, A multimillionaire danced by. ‘They m:w,fl@‘;’mfls was ex- platning i Timpressed Miss Scripps how the Phocians;: 4000: years ago; had danced by in a very similar manner. Her lilac-colored gaze- was flatteringly seri- ous. “Although absut my mother, I don't agree with you, Mr. Roberts. You see, with your uncle it's different. He’s a man—but for a widow and mother of a grown daughter—oh, it’s not that I don't believe in dancing, Mr. Roberts. I think there are moments when to dance is the most wonderful thing in all the world——" "“Would you—would you do me the honor to dance, Miss Scripps?” asked Mr. Roberts, and somehow they floated to the floor and began to dance—as only a tall boy and a beautiful young girl can dance. And they danced 10 steps to some heavenly violin after the band had struck the crescendo of its final note. But, as they joined their table, Mr. Roberts felt sure he had heard that Mrs. Scripps call his guardian “George” and the impropriety of it destroyed his mood. He deliberately drew Mrs. Scripps into talk, but she couldn't really. She only smiled. The Phocians left her cold. “What are you going to be when you—I mean, have you chosen your career yet, Mr. Roberts?” No, he didn’t like her, definitely. She wasn’t even interested 1® books or politics. He tried her on Modes and Manners of the Great Victorians, on Sir George ‘Trevelyan's description of the Grand Corniche. She only smiled. In desperation he danced with her. Just a dance. Uncle George was dancing with Norah. LATIR, by hidden mechanism, the entire dance floor rose three feet to meet .the stage level and a gorgeous entertainment was offered the gala diners. Ballets in costume whirled on and off, but there was only one rcostume for Mr. Roberts and that was a robe de style. Ballets cavortéed and kicked, and earned no more than Mr. Roberts’ tolerant, sophisticated -amile. That clown was supposed .. 10 he funny end one supposed theé pantomime had significance for some. “But ‘Mr. ‘Rdberts applauded 4n his heart:only ‘when the floor . subsided, the band played insinuatingly, and Norah did him once more the honor to dance. His Uncle George watched them depart, shaking his head a bit ruefully. “Look Marion,” he said, “look at them. What beau- tiful, beautiful youth. There is no poem or picture of youth like youth itself.” “Is that why you've been so hopelessly de- pressed this evening, George, dear? Dear old George, who has pursued me these months more romantically n any schoolboy or beau I ever kissed! But he sees two moonstruck children, and he suddenly feels too old.” ' Her teasing brought no smile to his lips. “Put it that way,” he said. “You remember, Marion, that:I asked you to search your heart and your head and to let- me know. Well, don't search any more, my dear, and don’t let me know. I know myself—that it wouldn't be fair to you, Marion. I've gone too far along the road alone, I guess. You've made me very .happy for a time.” She patted his fingers. “Let's walk out to the beach.” . As they strolled from the room, up the strairway and outside into that star- filled Mediterranean night time, she suggested. “And, of course, all this renunciation is in- spired by your nephew George?"” “Indirectly, yes,” he admitted. “He let me understand pretty plainly that I would be con- sidered an old fool. Oh, I know you think Kirby is a young prig, but we're about all that's left, he and I. His opinion counts with me somewhat, chiefly because it's representative, no doubt, of what any clear-seeing young per- son would think.” They had walked through the Casino garden and down to the smooth sand. “Take your hand off my arm, Marion,” he added roughly. “I can't talk sense.” . She only laughed and her fingers tightened. “Old silly! No, I don’t think your Kirby is a prig. I think he's going to thrust himself into my family and I wouldn't have let him get within range If he were a prig fundamentally. He just isn't old enough to understand, and, George, darling, in spite of your antiquated sentiment, neither are you. I shall kiss you.” Mr. Roberts and Miss Scripps, or as they were saying it now so tentatively and delicious- But realizing the futility of | —By Stephen Morehouse Avery 1y, Kirby and Norah, returned to their deserted table mn justified alarm. “I knew it,” he said. “I regret to say so, Norah, but they've sneaked away to spoon.” Poor little Norah Scripps was almost in tears. “I think we should go find them at once.” Beside a stone bench in the sunken garden that separated the Casino from the beach they paused. A big yellow .star blinked exactly over their heads. They saw neither Uncle George nor his victim. They saw no cne. They were alone. Kirby's hand touched his companion’s shoulder, just to steady her. “Oh, I can’t bear this anxiety, Kirby,” she said. - “If it were your mother getting in love and getting married, you'd understand. It's not that I don't believe in marriage”—while four stars danced overhead and- two bright little stars came out right there beside Mr. Roberts and he became so dizzy that he hardly heard Norah’s concluding words—"because, of course, I think that & happy matriage is the most wonderful thing-in the world—" He simply groped: for her and, when he caught her, gathered her in. He put out those ® two little stars with kisses. .‘“Yes, our happy marriage will be that, Nommh. Won't it?” He was vaguely aware that the little flower of her mouth pressed somewhere near his was not there solely by the force of his arm.” “You will marry me, Norah?” “Yes.” She barely whispered it. “I will, it I can, Kirby, darling.” Her fingers toyed ten- derly with his hair and his ears, to ask my mother.” was very much dressed when he came whistling into the suite sitting room and found his uncle and guardian sitting disconsolately with a whisky-and-soda. “What?” he de- manded. “Not tea dancing today?” “I'm through tea dancing,” said Uncle George. “Really? . Unfortunately, I'm not.”” Mr. Roberts abandoned his air of blithe mystery. “I've an engagement with Mrs. Scripps at the Carleton—but to talk over an important matter and not to dance.” “Don’t talk about her. Go on—get out, Kirby. I want to be alone." Mr. Roberts did not permit his uncle’'s ob- vious bad temper to spoil his life and, when the tender from the yacht brought Mrs. Scripps to the pier, he helped her out with the grace and dignity of a marquis. Something dim in apple green was waving encouragement from “I think that love must be the most wonderful thing in the world.” “Yes,” agreed Mr. Rob- erts. “But not for mothers and guardians.” the yacht's rail. “I'm honored, that you could come, Mrs. Scripps,” he said. .,“We must begin .. to try to understand each other.” “Must we?” That strange smile of hers made him feel .as uncomfortable as. some of those obscure remarks of Uncle George's. But she went on pleasantly: “Well,. the honor is mine, Mr. Roberts.. Not many women at Cannes can boast so young an escort.” “Oh, I'm quite mature,” said Mr. Roberts. They turned up the Croisette promenade toward the Carleton. “I think all of us are apt to mature in mind, body and experience more rapidly these days,.don't you, Mrs. Scripps?” “It's conceivable,” she admitted, *Besides, Mr. Roberts, I was naturally consumed with curiosity as to what sort of important matter you could wish to discuss with me.” That was rather a shock., Was it possible that Mrs. Scripps had not guessed? After all, what was there of importance that Mrs. Scripps could discuss—except Norah? “At any- rate,” he said, “I hope you will not be disappointed.” She wasn’t, at least not apparently. Mr. Roberts’ business of importance seemed to b2 as great a thock as Mrs. Scripps could have ‘'wouldn’t smile like that. “You'll have desired. Heé was glad of it. It came half-way through tea, at a broad window overlooking the Croisette and an expanse of what romantie people called blue sea, and, by that time, Norah's mother had spared no effort to make him feel juvenile and uncomfortable. For- tunately, his dignity was equal {o the test. He explained to her calmly that he was at a uni- versity, not a school, and also that he was a senior and not a sophomore. And as to his fearing to be soon without an official guardian, he could only reply that he'd really taken care of his guardian, if the truth were known. “Uncle George is in many ways like a child,” he said. s “You don’t say so!” exclaimed Mrs. Scripps. “Why, I'd heard, Mr. Roberts, that you con- sidered your uncle too old to be quite human.” “Yes,” he replied severely, “—if ome has to . descend at his time of life to the level-of a Casanova to be human. And speaking of that sort of love, Mrs. Scripps, it is to talk of quite .another sort, of genuine love, Norah’s and mine, that I asked you to come. I hope you will have no objection fo our marriage.” Norah’s mother siniled. He wished she “How sweet!” she said. “You two lambs! Of course, when you grow up you shall marry.” “ Mr.: Roberts flushed. “You quite misunder- stanid, my dear Mrs. Scripps,” he said icily. “What I should have said was that your daughter, Norah, and I are to .be married in November, and we hope you have no objection.” “Absurd,” said Mrs. Scripps. She didn’t even stop smiling in that maddening way of hers. “Why, Norah is nothing but a baby. She is not even self-conscious yet. And you, dear boy, your psychology is still in short trousers. You and Norah would be mere babes in the woods, I wouldn’t be idiotic enough to sanc- tion it, and I'm sure your guardian will agree. We must do something about this, and I think the best thing will be for us to continue our cruise at once. You see, Mr. Roberts, your family and ours are strangely, but definitely, unsuited. Your Uncle George considers him- self toc old Tor love and I consider you too young.” “Do you mean to sit there and tell me, Mrs. Scripps, that you as a woman of the world think love has anything to do with age? The command to love:cannot be denied, and Norah and I shall not deny it, and no man of spirit will deny it, and no woman of understanding will attempt to escape it. Love, Mrs. Scripps, is—is the most wonderful thing in all the world—" . Mrs. Scripps nodded appreciation. “Perhaps there is something in what you say, Mr. Rob- erts. It's too bad, really, that George—that your Uncle George doesn’t agree with you—*" “He never does,” said Mr. Roberts. “My uncle and I have very different views on life. Do I understand, then, that you definitely re- fuse me your daughter's hand? Very well then. I have warned you that love is no respecter of age and will not be denied. Gar- con! Garcon!” he beckoned the waiter. “Bring me the check for this tea at once.” MR. ROBERTS discovered his uncle, guar- dian, and greatest responsibility still seated beside his half-finished whisky-and-soda. “Notwithstanding your perhaps frivolous tend- «ncies, sir, I have always respected you as a man. I never thought that you would permit : ~quired through purchase, gift or lease. a few casual years and a patch of gray hair to prevent vour claiming the woman you love, although why you should love so obstinate a person is beyond me.” Uncle George sat up and blinked. “What in blazes are you talking about, Kirby? I thought you considered me beyond all that.” “Do you mean to tell me, sir, that you sit there, a man as mature in mind, body and ex- perience as you ever will be, that yeu think age has anything to do with love? If I were you," I'd go out to that yacht and drag the woman you, for some obscure reason, love, ashore——" B Uncle George rose and stretched his)arms. “Well,” he said, it's a new idea. I'll think % over.” : “And I leave you with the thought, sir.” Full two hours elapsed before Mr. stood again at the door of their suite. A shoek "awaited him. Apparently the place had been . ‘ransacked. ' A frightened servant, pale faced and tremulous, stood in the sitting room. “It's your uncle, sir,” he said. “I think he has gone out of his mind. He came here less than an hour ago, dashed things about, threw a few clothes into his ‘bags and departed. Whither hie would not say, but he left this note for you, sir.” : Mr. Roberts, glancing at the bottom of a cobalt blue sheet of paper, saw that the note was from that Mrs. Scripps and not from his Uncle George. : ty “Dear Mr. Roberts,” he read. “Perhaps E was too hasty of judgment this afternoon. In fact, I have concluded that you must have ma=- tured tremendously in the last few hours, and I shall be very happy to receive you as a sone in-law in November. In the meantime, our yacht is putting to sea, and since your Uncle George refuses to go ashore we have decided to take him with us. Affectionately, Marion Scripps.” “Norah,” whispered Mr. Roberts. And then —“November.” He slumped into a chair an@ did not move until the house phone demanded his attention. “Who? What} A lady?” In the lobby of the very dignified Hotel Grand stcod Norah—Norah with a big suit case and a wide-eyed appeal in her lilac-colored eyes. Mr. Reberts got her into a small writifig room and forgot all about being dignified. “They needn't think they can shanghai me on their old yacht,” she said, when her moutl was free to say anything at all. “The assistant engineer rowed my bags ashore and I Swame Do_ you know I've got a wet bathing suit under this dress, Kirby? But I had to come, didn’t 1? Because when a girl needs a friend, a huse band is the most wonderful thing in all the world.” She paused. “But I'm a little fright= ened, Kirby. Are you?” Complete maturity of mind, body and exw perience was evident in the reassuring tightene i;.)lgdol Mr. Roberts’ arm. “Not very much,” héf ( 4 To Save the Birds. IRST actual work in connection with thé, . new bird refuge activities of the United States will get under way in July with the erea ation of a new unit in the Biological Survey off the Department of Agriculture, i This unit is to be formed to cargy out the provisions of the migratory .bird econservatiom act, passed by the last Congress. The new unit will be empowered ‘to° carty om & rather extensive sequisition of land and wateny wites, to be held in perpetuity and to be @ce Rudoiph Dieffenbach, senior land valuatiom engineer of the survey, will be in charge of the néw unit and Wwill bring to it his long exe perience in this line of activity. “In discussing the plans, Paul G. Redington,, chiet of the Biological Survey, explains that it is necessary to ascertain by examination of the’ numerous potential areas to be found in the United States those that are best adapted for refuges. It will be necessary to find fairly large tracts of marshy land, bordered on side- by water and the other by woodlands, im order that birds of all types may find refuge. v The areas will be developed in every waw possible to protect the fast-dwindling wild Wf@ - of the air, and full protection against man amd animal will be provided. Peach Is Victim. N these days of Mediterranean fruit fiteg; Japanese green beetles, codling moths snd o?mmchpuunmlqn‘emthatmem grower had enough to convend with, but comesg along now the phony peach disease, and the “phony” applies to the peach and not to the disease. This disease seems to vent its harmful active jties on the peach, the nectarine and va other fruits budded upon roots of these fruits. The effects of the disease, which atw tacks the root systems, is to dwarf the trees and dwarf the fruits. As if this were no$ enough, it imparts to the fruits, poor as they are, a very disagreeable taste. The disease has been known for some little time and has spread now until it affects fully 90 per cent of the commercial peach orchards of Georgia. Only one other State has beem affected so far—Alabama—and the trouble so far is localized in one county. Extensive efforts at eradication have been undertaken by the Department of Agriculture and it is hoped that its advance may be checked and that it may ultimately be eliminated. |