Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1910-06-18

couple of days free. Give my love to
Dorothy until | can do IL myself"
Sam met me himself and drove me
out 10 the Shack. which proved 20 be
substantial house overlooking the
water. On the way he confided 70 me
that lots Of married men thought they
we're contented when they were mere
~ resigned. but that il was the only
life, and that sam. junior, could swim
like a duck Incidentally. he said that
Alison was his wife's cousin. their re
spective gTandmothers having. at
proper intervals. married the same
man. and that Alison would lose her
good looks II she was not careful.
Il say she's worried. and I stick to
it. he said. as he threw the lines to
a groom and prepared 10 get out.
You know her. and she's the kind of
girl you think you can read like a
book. But YOU can't: don't fool your
self. Take good look at her at din
ner Blake: you won't lose your head
like the other fellows-and then tell
me what's wrong with her. We're
mighty fond OF Allie"
He went ponderously up the steps.
for Sam had put On weight since I
knew him. At the door he turned
around. DO you happen 10 know the
MacLure's at Seal Harbor?" he
asked irrelevantly. but Mrs. sam
came into the hall just then. both
hands out 20 greet me. and. whatever
Forbes had meant 20 say. be did not
pick up the subject again.
,ro h.xfr~ - ~
thy said gaily. indicating the door
behind her. Tea by courtesy. be
cause I think tea IS the only bever-
age that isn't represented. And then
we must dress. for this is hop night
at the club"
Which is as great q misnomer as
the tea" Sam put I'm. ponderously
struggling out Of his linen driving
coat. Its bridge night. and the only
hops are I'm the beer"
He was still gurgling over this as
he took me upstairs. He showed me
my room himself. and then began the
fruitless search for evening raiment
that kept me home that night from
the club. For I couldn't wear Sans
clothes. That was clear. after a per
spring seance OF a half hour.
Il won't do IL. sam" said. when !
had draped his dress-cost on me toga
fashion. Who am TO have clothing
10 spare. like this. when many a poor
chap hasn't even a cellar door to
cover him. won't do Il: I'm selfish.
but not that selfish"
Lord. he said. wiping his face.
how you've kept your figure! l cane
wear a belt any more: got TO have
suspenders"
He reflected over his grievance for
some time. sitting on the side OF the
bed. You could go as you are" be
sald hnally. We do IL all the time.
only tonight happens to be the an
nual something or other. and" he
railed of into silence. trying 20
buckle my belt around him. a good
SIX inches he sighed. Il never get
into a hanson cab any more that l
don't expect 20 see the horse fy up
In the air. Well. Allie isn't going
either. She turned down Granger this
afternoon, the Annapolis fellow you
met on the stairs. pigeon-breasted
ehap-and she always gets head.
ache on those occasions"
He got up heavily and went 70 the
door. Granger is leaving" he said.
/ may be able 20 get his dinner coat
Tor you. How well do you know her?"
he asked, with his hand on the knob.
II you mean Dolly"
Alison"
Fairly WELL" said cautiously.
Not as well as I would like 20. I
dined with her last week In Washing.
ton. And knew her before that"
Forbes touched a bell instead OF 20
Ing out, and told the servant who an
sWered TO see II Mr.. Changers suit
case had gone. II not, to bring il
across the hall. Then he came back
TO his former position on the bed.
You see. we feel responsible for
Allie-near relation and all that" he
began pompously. And we can't talk
10 the people here at the house-alI
the men are in love with her. and all
the women are Jealous. Then-there's
a lot Of money, too. or will be-"
"Confound the money!" NUT
tered. That is-nothing. Razor
slipped"
i can tell you he went on. be
cause YOU don't lose your head over
every pretty face-although Allie is
more than that, OF course. But about
month ago she went away-to Seal
Harbor, TO visit Janet MacLure. Know
herr"
No"
she came home 10 Richmond vas
terday. and then came down here
Allie, ! mean. And yesterday after