Radio and television mirror (Nov 1939-Apr 1940)

H0B0& 1000® TROM fLAl/OR ■TOWN Ever get nervous or upset? Then, try a package of Beech-Nut Gum. It's always refreshing and restful. It comes from Flavor-Town (Canajoharie, N. Y.) — famous for quality and flavor. Six delicious varieties. GOOVka&ti The familiar furniture gave her no help; the half-open door to the hall was no avenue to freedom. She saw Stella pause in the hall, curiously look in, then go on. Haltingly she tried to comfort Tim, to disengage him from her skirts; and at last, reluctantly, he allowed himself to be led away by Tulip. She turned to face Steve. WHEN she paused in the hall to look into Bess' room, Stella knew at once that something was happening. She saw the look of fear in Bess' face, the intensity of the man's body, and her quick intelligence, her eager curiosity, told her to listen. She waited until Tulip and Tim had come out and gone downstairs, then crept back to the door, bent to the keyhole. "No!" she heard Bess say sharpiy. "He's not! Tim is only one of our orphans here — the littlest and most helpless of them. That's the reason he insists on coming in to see me as soon as he gets home — perhaps I've babied him too much." "He has your hair and your eyes, Bess." The man's voice, stern, trembling on the edge of violence. "I'm surprised they haven't noticed it already, around here." "Nonsense!" "You lied to me when you said he died soon after he was born!" His words were pursuing her, forcing her into admission, but she insisted: "No! I told you the truth. He did die — he only lived a few hours." "That was my son — the boy that just ran in here. I know it — he has the look of me when I was his age. And you're shaking all over. You're lying to me, Bess!" The girl outside strained to hear Bess' answer, but all she heard was silence, until the man's voice began again: "All right then — don't admit it. Anyway, I'm sure. I always suspected you of lying to me about his death — that's one reason I came to see. you. And now that I know, I'm going to take him away from here — and you too." She heard Bess now: "You'll never take Tim. I'll never let you. And I'll never go with you myself." "We'll see — " Stella heard the man begin to say — and then footsteps were coming up the stairs to the hall. She straightened suddenly, and went into the dormitory, just as Jean and two other orphans came into view. What she did not hear was the rest of the conversation in Bess' room. "Haven't you any conception of what I'd do to keep Tim away from you?" Bess cried. "First you broke my heart, or tried to, even if I was strong enough to keep you from doing it. Then you married my sister, Marjorie, and broke hers. It wasn't having a baby that killed her, Steve. She died because she didn't want to live any more! And just before she died, she made me promise that no matter what happened, I'd never let you have Tim. That's why I came here to Glendale, pretending that Tim was an orphan and pulling strings to get him taken in here without seeming to even know who he was — simply so I would leave no trace that would make you suspect he was still alive." "And very noble of you," he remarked. "Exactly what I'd expect you to do. But let's not be melodramatic about it. After all, I am the boy's father . . . and I intend to have my son." 51 It was on that note he left. She didn't see him go; she didn't dare look at him lest she break down completely. After a while, though, she began to feel a little better. The worst, she told herself, had happened at last. For years she had successfully pretended that Tim was no more than one of the orphans under her care. Now Steve had learned that he was really her nephew, and he would — at least he might — publish her deception to the people of Glendale. There would be a scandal — Frank Klabber and Thelma Gidley, her assistant, would seize on the news to accuse her of supporting one of her relations on Hilltop House money. But she could weather that; or if she could not, perhaps it did not matter so much. Nothing mattered, if she could only keep Tim away from his father. She could count on Paul Hutchinson's help, and on Robbie's — Yes, she could count on Robbie. Warmth crept into her heart as she thought of him. Devotion such as Robbie gave her was so precious, so sweet; something that must be given to few women. Stella was thinking of Dr. Robbie just then, too. She was thinking that now, in the hour or so that remained of the afternoon before dinner-time, would be a good time to drop in at Dr. Robbie's office and talk to him about her mother, who was in the hospital under his care. Dr. Robbie didn't like her, and she knew why. It was Miss Bess' fault. Dr. Robbie liked everyone at Hilltop House except her, and he didn't like her because Miss Bess had poisoned his mind against her. Going down the hall, Stella gave an exultant little hop — she'd tell Dr. Robbie, now, what sort of a person his adored Miss Bess was, and in his gratitude, he'd see that she, Stella, was worth a dozen Miss Besses. I N her absorption, she didn't see Miss ' Gidley until she almost bumped into her. Tall, spare, dressed in black, the assistant matron of Hilltop House laid a detaining hand on the girl's shoulder. "Stella! Where are you going?" Stella gulped, gathering her scattered thoughts. "I was looking for you, Miss Gidley. I wanted to ask you if I could go down to Dr. Clark's office and ask him about my mother. I'm so worried about her, Miss Gidley ..." She looked up appealingly. Miss Gidley was easy, for all she acted so stern. Stella knew that Miss Gidley was always criticizing Miss Bess for being too lenient with the children, but she herself was the lenient one, if you knew how to get around her. And Stella, without the shadow of a doubt, knew. Another thought crossed her mind, just then. Miss Gidley would probably like to know about what she had heard. Miss Gidley liked to know things, particularly about Miss Bess. Perhaps, later, she'd tell her. "Very well, Stella," Miss Gidley was saying now. "Go ahead. But be sure to be back for dinner." "Yes, Miss Gidley," Stella said dutifully. Dr. Robbie's office was only a few blocks from Hilltop, and Stella was there in five minutes. It was after office hours, but Dr. Robbie often worked late in the laboratory, and he knew this was the only time of day she could come to see him. RADIO AND TELEVISION MIRROR \