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Show THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE, SUNDAY MORNING, OCTOBER m H the steady, even thoroughfare that it was vallee hintful of wildflowers, no cliffs Jagged with rocks no feasts, no famines Just good, reliable pavement. Macadam lied. Jessica knew Just where she was, and why and that she belonged there, a pedestrian. It was one of the things she learned at busi ness college. Not that it was in the curriculum. It came by way of an imported speak er. speaking his Inspirational speech Jessica sat in the front row. He was one of thoee big fisted, broad faced gentlemen who cannily veer down from high oratory to tense confidence. And I wish to tell you, he proclaimed at the height, that there's room at the top. Room for every one. Room for everv r For every one who's a whos willing to aspire and perspire! But The inspirer for the second rater . . . dropped his big voice to its effective con The second-rater- , versatlon pitch my friends, is the fellow who doesn't look up. He doesn't see Jtie horizon. He's lost in a fog of details. He hasn't a vision. He's the fellow that gets the second prize, the honorable mention. He's on the fringe. Tou And the orator paused, all know him. sensing the dramatic stillness that would hiatus. Only, he sensed punctuate his For wrongly. ' That's me' " sajd s quiet voice before him, matter of factly. He glanced down ai the front row, startled Jessica HilPs No Vision Was Clouded by an Inferiority Com plex Till One Sharp Disaster Taught Her She Was Made of first-rate- First-Rat- 17, 1926. e Stuff. ..." BILL could not tall when aha the discovery, but fhs mutt JESSICA It long before the had a It At long ago. perhaps, as the small town days w hen they didnt live on the right street, and Jessica in her ruffled mull party dress went only to the larger parties, given by school teachers or sponsored by Sunday schoola Ones sbe had a rids all the way home In a carriage that called for a classmate, and once her name appeared in the local paper along with many others who were among those present at a sociable; and these were bright events. They were the brightest in a rather hazy impression of the Hills sojourn in that small town, excelled In vividness only by the excitement of their departure. But how vivid that was' You came home from school at three In the afternoon, and your mother was not in the window looking for you, but you found her inside the house talking with your father, who oughtnt to be at home at all at this hour; and the kept on talking, in very low tones, all through supper; and after you had gone to bed there were noises in the house, in one room after the other; and in the morning, when you got up, there was already a van at the door. And the next thing you knew you were pressing your face against a car window, watching the telegraph poles tumble backward. Another town, and Jessica was almost an other glrL For, like the town, she was larger and more knowing. She knew now better than to Unger at the curb in front of the sehoolhouse, watching, with eager receptive eyes, girls and boys getting into carriages or walking oft two by two. She knew also that one didn't ask for ice cream sodas on week days, and that packages on Christmas trees were alluring but deceptive; they contained stiaky colored, candles. She was nine, and sophisticated, and gave hers to brother Jack, aged four. But she hadn't mads her discovery. She came running borne one day, waving vigorously to her mother in the window, and because It was spring and the window open, shouted her news from the sidewalk; " O, Mother! We're going to give a play, and I'm going to be in it Mrs. Hill clapped her bands Just as Jessica was clapping hers. And what's the play? she asked. Bleeping Beauty. Here Jack thrust his chubby tare into " What you goin to be he deview. manded. - Beauty? Nopa I." announced Jessica, with dig nity. I am going to be one of the trees! It was before Mr. Kilmer's poem, but she probably put some spirit of the poem into her acting. It was one'of the bright spots of that sojourn. . . . Afterward Jessica seemed to remember the dialogue at the window better, almost, than she wished Whenever sbe thought of that town she thought of the window and her mother in It. For once more she came home one afternoon she was then eleven to find the window vacant, and this time her mother was not talking to her father. He was standing outside the bedroom door. His face was wan. He put his arm about Jessica's shoulder, and she felt the tremble' of It through her Frank Hurburt O'Hara and wrote, her name across the back. Ehe didn't have to hesitate the sgnatures were Thanks for being so obliging,' much alike. she added. O, by the "Not at aiL" She turned. way. Miss Hill. he halted her. " It's still the Falls you're planning on I had thought of the Falls, she an swered. Jerrow grinned. Hope It doesn't mean Bero'm what that trip usually does cause . . . O, well, as Jessica shook her head'Snd smiled wearily, we can dls cuss the 'because' when you get back Here's a new folder telling you Just what to do and how to do it," he laughed Thought youd like to look It over, seeing as you know everything about travel'" " Thanks," said Jessica, and took It Her Angers pressed the glossy surface lightly. She hurried to the door, out into the street. to the L station. On the train she counted buildings, counted streets, read the advertising placards, all of them several times. There d be plenty of time to think later. In the small south side apartment she slipped the travel folder Into a bundle of other folders on the mantel. She took a long while d'olng unnecessary things about the rooms. Finally, she went Into the kitchenette and started the dinner He got up briskly. " be called Suppose 1 run down and get some cheese and crackers? Billyll go with me." Isn't he too tired? she called back from the window Jack, nodded Thought I'd be a great help, right off the bat. But the taw's slow So am L Slow," he repeated nodding his head with the word " With Hilly it s different He s another sort. He'll make good, from the start. 'Why. his tone brightened, "you can see that now He s made a fraternity Me? The men never gave me the once over. Sis. Im e second-rater- . She started It was as if the phrase had Jumped at her. You don't have to be. She saw the taett admission in the words, and hurried on 1 do wish, when you need anything, Jack, youd let me know" She was sorry for soon as that, too, aitt was said. Jack looked at her sharply. Why, what d'you think I am He had straight Hi cheeks were flushed ened in the chair, looking at her steadily now; and she was glad she hadn't said anything more, for she saw that Jack was about to do the saying, himself. ' Sis Tee " quietly, eagerly, 1 want to ta'k some things over with you. I want He stopped. The doorbell was shrilling in the hallway. Jessica gave a startled exclamation. There was something ominous in Its clangor. She got slowly to her feet me. s I see, equivocaieu Jessica, flushing. he "We all do, picked up his discourse But we you and are never going to be satisfied s single rung from the top. . . He said more, of course. Much more But Jessica wasnt hearing She had made her discovery She was thinking of the so ciable where she among those present of the Tree In the school play; of the trip to Niagara Falla that was really a boat ride across I.aks Michigan 1 - That's what she had known without having a name for it. A sec And ond-rate- r poor Jack, already, too. drifting around the fringe. But Billy? Jessica had home th i night, head up, should Billy) walked ers back, eyes straigh' lefore her This Is. I Know i, long tray to begin s story Rut haven't ym. often thought that tin Important parts of a story are what come before it and after If It seems that way tc me; and I know that the incidents that hap pened this single night In spring would he only Incidents If Jessica ard her discovery v ere not before them ahead of them to tell what it's all about It five o'clock A stir of papers pre reded the shutting of roli top desks Ein plovSs moved alertly about the room, began to file out In chattering groups Jessica cleared her desk slowly, and then sat track with a sigh. Not a had sigh She was. In fact, thinking of three rather pleasant Of things, simultaneoudiy or nearly ko Jack, of "little" Billy, and of course, this is Incongruous of Niagara Falls. Jack was now a regularly admitted lawyer in the loop drubbing away kt dreary collec tions, to be sure, but a lawyer. Just the same, and therefore a climber upward Billy was a frebhman at the state unlver sity. It was the biggest momerft in Jessica s ten years at the family headship when he had written, a week ago, of his Initiation into a fraternity. It was a classv fraternity, and Billy was a classy boy. Billy was. in fact, a first rater And Jessica was going to the Falls' She was sure It had been worth waiting for. Not the sight, exactly she had traveled too much vicariously In the routine of her Job to be naive about that; but the vacation, the mere going somewhere, the luxury of Pullmans, diners, hotels, these were the things she thought of these, and the realizing of something wished for. It was as if somehow, she were treating the girl who had been herself. Something like that. . . But she was being childish about it! She got up abruptly and went over to the closet to chamois her face and adjust her hat over bar slightly curling, unbobbed hair. She was at th outer door when Jerrow, the manager, called to her from his desk in the - . corner " O, Miss Hill! " Jeeslca turned, one hand on the doorknob Tes, Mr. Jerrow?" See you for e minute? She crossed the room and stood waiting beside the desk. Jerrow scrawled his name across an unsigned letter and then looked s -- . . up. I see this check Isn't Indorsed." he re marked, pushing a small blue allp toward her. Check? " repeated Jeeetau Tee. When your brother cajne In night, I we In & hurry to get awavend I guesa I didn't take time to turn it over. Ive been out el day, ao I didn't7 catch It until now. For a moment the floor seemed to lift be neath her. She put a hand on? the desk. "How , . . much was it for?" ahe beard herself saying, stupldjy. But Jerrow was again preoeupied with hit letters. " Seventy-fivwasnt it?" he said absently. He signed another letter Thing were locked up, and It Isn't often I have as much lying around loose, you kno But I fixed him up. Fins young fellow. Miss HllL Looks like a second edition of you too. Why didn't you ever tell us you had a brother like hat? He looked up pleasantly. Jessica was star lng at the blue blur of the check lying on the desk where ha had placed It. "That's It, $Knt U?" Jerrow asked. She picked It up Glanced at the amount made ouf to the order of seif. At the giaady characters at the bottom spelling her haroe. Then she looked quietly at Jerrow "Tea this Is it," ahe aaidU and took a pea 1 , e tip-to- e . She heard Billy protest something about th air's doing him good heard the door shut after them, presently heard them emerge into the night, down below her the shadows beside th walk Jack halted " Well, kid " he said evenly In th dim light from the street lamp. Billy looked ridiculously young. like a poster His lips began boy grown suddenly serious to twitch, and he lifted a finger to steady them. The long lashes over the blue eyes Jack put out a hand to his quivered. shoulder "Not in love, sre you, young fellow?" Billy shook his head " I'm in a devil of a fix. he burst out. " Trouble with your profs ? " Billy turned to him Impulsively. O. don't Joke about it. Jack' " His brother's fare sobered " I'm afraid I don't understand If there's " anything really the matter " Well, there is! why, of course we want tp help you. Tou can't. Jack peered at him through the uncertain light. v It there Is anything the matter," he re" Just tell us. peated, Well straighten it. We knew what you re made of Bill We've got faith In you, you know that." Billy winced. ' Stop it," he mutI tered. can't Us ten . . . I'm a cad. I ought to be ashamed to look you in the I And I am face. shouldn't have come her at all I ought to But gosh. go away. Jack," he went on, a tremor in his boyish voice. when a fellow gets in bad. and is ashamed to see hia own folks thats Just where he want to go. So . . . well, I couldn't keep away. I- - planned to cut out last night. But I couldn't. I tramped around the streets all night." Last night? " I Billy nodded. went bv her a dozen I .lmes, guess; and I wanted to come In. and couldn't. And yet. I ouldn't beat It. either." Last right?" Jack You repeated dully. were h.re last night? Yerh." His fingers clutched at hia brother's coat sleeve. "Jack." he whispered huskily, " I'm a thief." Jack held the ellght form at arm length and stared Into the eyes shadowed by the pulled down hat brim. Youre Joking'" O, I know what I'm saying. I havent lost my mind Im Just what I said A thief. Thief." He had stepped back defiantly, his voice lifted, a clenched fist hitting against th palm of his hand " Stop shouting it,' change of top The slim form relaxed All right. But I am " " What have you stolen? " Money." " Whose? " " Jessica's. Th voice, now, was hardly audible Jack's grip tightened on his arm. Tell me about it." He let his hands drop to his side, quiet, but clenched. " I beaded money," Billy began, the relief of telling evident In his voice. I needed It, bad. I'd got so much from Jess, I hadn't the nerve to ask for more. And there were debts, that kept piling up and piling up. I didnt know what to. You see, I d been getting out of my depth. I was out of my class. Going about costa, you know. The ton was metallic. "Yes, I know. " Gosh. I always wanted to be like other fellows. Regular fellows. Jack. And when " my chance came Better keep to the facts." the other broke In. The muscles of his face were drawn tight, and his eyes had a keen, hard glint. ' What did you do? " Forged a check. . A second rater that's what she was S tack at turslva surreptitiously going under a circus tent Hap . frhe supposed she was humming " Sittin m a Collier ehe was startled to find that the aloud, Mustn't think really A silly about it, mustn t think about it. She hoped that the hell would hvniopatinn tap Jack s code in the hallway and he would come tn tired from the ernd of collec turns before she could have derided whnt to kiv to him. and so would not say anything But he didn t come Six thirty. Seven Pp Quarter to seven teen. she set the dinner things aside on A he stove and went into the living roomand ait down Then the thoughts fame They tame slowly chronologicallyvln procession. Ten years seemed to et&lkdnto the room and marth before her Each seemei to be a thought, tramping ghouUgfyly in front of her borne of them were apphentlv such Innocent thoughts, too Of Jack, at twelve, surreptitiously going under y7 circus Of Jack, at fourteen maneuvering with other kids for an exXra d.fah of ice ' cream at class feeds Of Jack, his eves alvlv darling toward hereto catch the effect of his Joke. x showing Byfly how to imitate Jessica h handwriting at?' that he might, If necesarv, sign ber nime to a report card Jessica willed She wished he hadn't remembered tiat. She hadn't thought of It In years; indeed, this way before, the Hills had anlmJtative knack, anyway She could sign Jack's name Just as easily. . . . She got up and went to the window She wasn't going to think any more. Jack had worked hlixd. together they had managed his law ocuj4e, he had come out of the bar ex. creditably, hadn't bad an easy time of It He'd not be a great aince. Arid wouldn't. ain, dis tent-fla- ner a secern'd ratef, Just like her. help bing a second rater. One Yet Jack couldn t have may mui have been an impostor at least ahe a as glad that know The One couldn't was born that done this H But If If Billy neednt rang. She pressed the button, aaited for Jack at the door. Youre late, air' " "Yea. Sorry S. a " She looked at him as he turned yo hang up his coat and hat. Broad otflg shoulder, with a sort of droop to them tonight. He didn't stride into the bathroom noisily, and there masn't any whistled Jazz as be splashed the water and brushed hia hair He didn't talk at table, nor eat much. Jessica aa rather glad of the ahenoe. It was easier. Afterward, however, as they sat in the liv Ing room, she sewing and Jack doing nothing. the unaccustomed silence bothered her. she ventured, when Been a hard day? he had sat f r a long while gazing at the beU floor quicky, as If her wonts thought He looked away again, once mors studying the figures In the rug Yeah." Jessica's eyes were focused carefully on ber needle Anything particular the matterT " Jack looked up had surprised hia He lounged farther into the chair. In the soft light from the table lamp, hia face looked drawn, the muscle taut. They could hear a faucet in the bathroom dripping. fita." he said. " Im no good." She went on sewing, waiting " Flab out of at er." be continued, " that's -- Her pulse was raring. Could It be ? ooulcy anything Trfe bell rung asUn, J.ick hurried to the speaking tube No one answered Jessica st6od beside her chair, staring Of course it was ridiculous to There was a lap- ping at the door Jack opened It a crack, looktd out gwun tt Rdti A joung mm Flipped into the Inner hall wav He was really just a slim, supple kid. with a hat brim meeting his evebrows and trousers making a correctly negligent crease upon his Instep. Jack looked at him a momently intently, than closed the door and, smilingly lifted a finger for silence motioned bun to the room where Jessica stood. The youngster Went in, Billy " " H lo. Jess, he greeted her. somewhat muffl'd Id the embrace When Billy was re. eased. Jack spoke, trying to be casual. " Well, kid? " How are you. Jack, paid Billy. " Sit down, lt down. This an unexpected treat " said "Yes." Jessica, striving to look ad monishing, " you shouldn t really have com like this in the middle of the term. Vaca lion's not far off. either." Billy eat. He sat edgewise on a straight backed chair, his hat in hia hand. his eyes shifting about the room. " Well, put down your hat and act aa if you were at home, laughed Jack. teeth shining Billy laughed, too. hi against the red of his full young lips. He tossed th hat to the table, and lolled down Into his chair. "Just thought I'd drop up to town to' see you all. ha explained with elaborate carelessness. " Guesa I was homesick." You poor kid'" cried Jessica. Poor nothing," Jack objected. "Tau wanted to coma to gloat about your new honors' " Ha smiled pridefully at the Wher's"your fraternity figure. pin? Fish it out, kid, end show us what s are." you regular collegian " Haven't got on, said Billy. " Havent got " No." hastily, I gate It back." He examined hia fingernails, Jessica was looking straight before ber, blankly. Her mind, her body, seemed suddenly numbed They could hear the bathroom faucet drip again. ping " Didn't you . . Ilka the crowd?. ' Jack queried, clumsily, less to ask than to. say something. G, the crowd's nil right. I guess I didn't fit. A fellow sometimes makes mistake, you know. His brother nodded. It was easier than words. Jessica got up and put a hand on th sloping youthful shoulders. "You're tired. Bliiy " LltU bit." he assented. 111 get you a cup of coffee I am sort of Will you?" eagerly. fagged." Me 'Jessica hurried ir to th kitchenette ciwnical.y ahe lighted the gaa. put th coffee on, her body was still numb, her forehead hot She went to the window, lifted It high, thrust her head Into the cooling air la th filing room. Fully leaning He was speaking toward his brother rapidly Jack. I want to see you. W ant to have a talk with you. -- t iu "'Jess'? Yea" What did yon do with the motley? " scrunched his heel Into the lawn, as Jack had seen him scrunch it many times when they were boys; and he began to explain with the Indirection of his child Biily hood. Well, It was liks this. I'd been sort of drifting along, putting on a tall front, and getting away with It. I got a chance to go Into a fraternity It it was a great chance. Jack. And Id dreamed of It." He scrunched hi .heel again The fellows they didn't know how poor broke I was. They'd have helped if I'd let 'em. They thought I was one of em I made 'em think so So I went in. Let 'em pledge me. let 'em initiate me I faked an alibi about not having the initiation fee for a few day Then when they asked me again, I didn't have the spunk to See the thing through. So I came to town, thinking mayfce. . . O, well. Jack, I f ot bajf pickled, and I forged a check Ip Jess' name you remember bow a used to do that for1 sport when we were kids? and I got It cashed at her office. I'd promised to get In the moneys so I got a post office order, and mailed IL" Jack had listened quietly. Now he cam close to Billy, and spoke In rapid, te-snatches See here, Jen can't know about this. She couldn't etand It If you ever a sound something's going to happen. Understand? " " But " X Don't waste time talking, now! SheD have to think it was some on else. I'll age It somehow I'll th money tow gether. and 1 send It to her or or something." he finished anonymously lamely. D'you llupk I'm going to stand for any ... se let-pu- t - maq-serap- e 11 Don't you thing like that? " Billy flashed. know what a rotten time youNra suppose had Maybe you're right about not telling Sis I get th point Itd go hard with her. But I'm going to get that money back to , her, myself. 1 figured it all out last night, after I'd dene the thing. I'm going to turn back my pin. Thats why I told you I didnt hate it. I'm going to turn back the pin, and get back thjt seventy-five- . And then I'm going to woi'a " Jack gave a sudden laugh. It startled Billy standing there in th shadows. It wasnN a pleasant sound. Gotng to quit, cold? Nothing of th sort, youjg fellow How do you think Jess would " Sa-y- , feel about that William Hill, do you know what that girl thinks you are? She thinks you're the cream of the earth. There isn t anything too good for you. And," he continued slowly, "you're going back to college. and youre going to make good, or 111 know the reason why. And Itll have to bo a pretty darn good reason, too. " If I don t make good," he declared, "It won't be your fault." You bet your crazy little head It won't. said Jack. When they returned from the corner delicatessen, they entered with a guilty noisiness (because each felt like coming in on tiotoei, but Jessica didn't seem to notice. She was pouring the coffee, steaming, into the cups. It's all right, Sis. Jack announced, with ' assumed gayety. "We've straightened out the fraternity kinks, and the kids not going to be foolish. Show us your pin, sir! Billy showed It. Jessica held it in th palm of her hand, and looked at It with bright 1 O, Sis. And body. They came to Chicago before Billy could walk. Jessica was twelve, and knew some things about Infant welfare and the problems of marketing that were news to her domestic .science teacher when she entered high school a couple years later. Also, she knew that what one was to expect at home Feast and famine " was the unexpected. was her father's favorite phrase for It, and the phrase was rather near the fact. Jessica never knew, quite, what it was her father did, but there were sometimes months It when the Hills were very prosperoua was during one of these periods that Mr. Hill made the surprising investment of nominating Jessica in a neighborhood newspaper contest, the ellgfblea high school students, the prize a trip to Niagara Falla It was a dramatic gesture almost theatric, considering and be bought a good many subscriptions. So many. In fact, that Jessica actually came out of the campaign with a second priza She made the trip across the lake to Michigan; but If you meet Miss Jessica Hill today, at her desk in the Travel Tour offices, please check your little Jest about the Falla. It la funny, of course, that a woman who presides at the Information desk la a travel bureau should want to see Niagara Fails. Or would be If the woman were not Jessica Hill, and If Jessica hadnt, Ultimately, made her dlaoovery. Meanwhile, sbe was busy enough with Jack, and Billy, and her father, not to spend much time In thinking about herself. It wouldn't have been normal, anyway; and Jessica was so normal that she was rather matter of fact. It was well that she was. When she was a senior la high school Jack was a rough and tumble kid of twelve and Billy was a serarhie Individual of five or six; and matter of faciesa was good for both. Anything less might have hardened the one and softened the other. There ware times when she could have thrashed Jack for bis deviltry and swept BlUy to her arms for his angelicneaa. She did neither. Ehe ran the house, and her father with It. She managed that gentleman so well. In fact, that when her graduation and one of his periods at prosperity coincided, and the prosperity seemed prolonged out of all balance with history, and he wanted to send her to the state university, she patted him almost patronizingly on the shoulder lifting herto do It and vetoed the propoself to rtion In favor of a downtown business coleras one of the wisest things Which lege. Jessica Hill ever did. She was sure of that. Bha was certain when, her first year out, a slippery pavement and a street car made a finish to thq feast and famine career of Jer- emy Hill. fShq hadn't known what a vast aff action she had for that tall, Incalculable figure until they brought him home. Hut sbe knew them The world seemed to toiler for a while for weeks and then settled Into By eyes. " How much did it set you . back, Billy? The abrupt question was somewhat startling: the young men looked furtively at each other O." Jack put In hurriedly, the pins always a gift. "Jess doesn't mean that, s&ld Billy, brusquely. She means . . " Fact Is, Sis. Jack Interrupted, it was the cost of th business that bothered th kid. He thought . . "1 know," eaid Jessica. He probably borrowed some money and Is a little worried about lb" Jack was frowning toward Billy, and at ths same time proud and disappointed that his sister, so far from knowing th facts, was apparently about to offer more money, herself. But Jessica was continuI understand that ing. speaking slowly. Billy doesn't want any hslp paying for aa honor like this. A bit of worry wont hurt him it hasn't hurt us; and if hes been suggesting a Job out of class hours to make some money to pay his debts, I hope you haven't discouraged him. You know what Jobs have done for you. They've given you the reliance that makes you oh. a first rater. And surely Billys got his right to being a flr?t rater, too." Jack stared. But Billy exclaimed: That's exactly what Im going to do. Get a Job on th campus and pay back that debt, myself." Jessica smiled back at him there had always been an Intangible link between th two. " Jobs dont hurt ns," shs repeated. " Not if you take a vacation, once In ten years, remarked Jack, grimly. " But Jess Is taking one. Going to th Falls Arent you, Jess? " Jessica gave a slight start, and Jack gazed from one to the other, puzzled. It was Billy a ho had mads the exclamation; and now Billy sat studying hi coffee cup, his face scarlet. Hs scrunched his heel Into th rug, then looked up, straight at Jessica. Its no use Sis," ha blurted out. rv got to tell You. I " You saw that pile of folder on th mantel, and you guessed! You've always been a clever guesser. . " Don't be modest," she laughed but she was eyni'i g him steadily, meaningly. Gt would c like Jerrow to tell) Its immodbe to est modest," she added, until youve something really to be modest about! Now, better drink that coffee and get tc bed. youd I made up your bed while you were out. Youre so sleepy, both of you. that you can't talk straight." Jessica cleared the table, washed th dishes, dried them and put them away. She heard the patter of feet In the bedroom, heard the light click off. A head was thrust through th door. Billy a Night," he called. " Good night! " She pulled out the davenport, went to th chest of drawer for sheets. There was a step behind her. Shs looked around to see Jack, tn pajamas and bathrobe, standing hesitant in the doorway. She went up to him, he bent down, they kissed briefly. They looked at each other, each with a guilty She satisfaction beneath the smile. was alone. She turned out the lights. Sallow gray shafts from ths corner are lamp came In under th window shades. She lifted the shades, and undressed In th dull light. She sat on the edge of the davenport 'And methodically brushed her hair, and braided 1L Then she got up and. Th two moved slowly across th room. orderly strands falling over her shoulders showed gold against ths blus of ftsr dressing gown, and her face was girlish tn the pals light. She paused at the bedroom door, cautiously swung it open, looked in at th two heads couched in the pillows; at th th tousled dissleek smoothness of Billy' order of Jacks Shs had looked in at those two heads so many times' before, when she was a younger Jessica Hill, so sure she knew so much about boys, and girls, and families. So much more than any girl can know. She closed th door. She went tq the window, end opened It, and leaned against th till. She felt, as she listened to the distant bum of the city, that something 'was finished and something beginning. It was a rather vague thought; but she smiled, a little wistfully, at the memory of a girl who had been herself, who used to be very real, and of a strange discovery," that had never been real at all. She could understand that girl better now, look upon her as upon a child shs had known, tong ago. Oddly enough, the teemed that child who hadn't merged her personality to a pattern,- ho had seen what th had te do, and so bad done it. Eh thought, a to trreievantiy, of Columbua It must have been surprising, sailing for th Indies, to land on a continent. But a better discovery. wn, it was pleasanter to find yourself a first rater; but it somehow mad you feel pretty humble. . . There was a sound down below ber. in a doorway, where some dirk young form was saying good night to a fight young form. A young laugh, young voicea . . Jessica Hill stepped back ahruptly from the window, wbers th sounds cam up as from a whispering gallery. . . ... ... ... tcr-ll- k - (CsprrUSl: ltri: fir grssfe Barbara OfissJ |