Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-06-19
Around the City

Two women stood together in the cor
ridor of newspaper office.
The one who talked had wavy brown
hair and emotional gray eyes. Her
white suit was of rich linen cut by some
alor to show the splendid lines OF her
figure, and her gloves and oxfords were
Of black suede.
To the admiring eyes of a man person,
she was a handsome woman stunningy
gowned. Any woman could see her dress
would be all the fresher for a Tubing,
that the inside of her glove tips were
worn Whitley gray, and that the veil on
her stylish hat showed hateful little
snags that no woman would stand for
so long as she had the price.
II have come to you, Miss Blank. be-
cause MIR. q. assured me you would help
me if you could. want to get on a
newspaper. 1t is really necessary.
"Of course, it doesn't amount to any
thing, but my brother is an army officer
just mention 1t by way Of introduction.
I'D love to be on a newspaper. Be-
sides, just at present, 1t is really-quite-
necessary
Miss Blank inquired as to experience.
Apparently the handsome woman had
none.
"Oh, I'd be sure to get along all right.
once l was started. I've done a vaude-
Vile sketch or two, and
by the way, l have note of introduce
ton here from MIR. W. to one Of your
gentlemen on the staff Could l see
him?''
on Office boy was put on the trail and
came back with the information that the
gentleman wanted was out for the after
noon. The handsome woman accepted
the announcement with a derisively dra-
matte uplift of the emotional eyes, as II
she were making fun of her own disap-
pointment.
Don't l have the worst luck. Never
mind, I'll run in again in the morning.
Oh. Miss Blank. you have such beauti-
full city,.
With this civic turn to the situation
she started down the corridor toward
the elevator, talking as she went with a
spontaneous vivacity as though looking
for work was a mere incident in a life
Of sovernment-bond ease.
Miss Blank, mindful of the emotional
eyes, the whitey-gray glove tips and
snagged veil-and maybe of the foolish
pride OF her own first work days-put in
the time thinking how she could help.
When they got to the elevator she said:
BE sure and let me know when you
come back. 1 may have a plan by to-
morrow. There's always way out, you
know"
A laughing fash of the emotional eyes
served for goodbye. AS the cage swooped
down Miss Blank modified her last re-
mark by strictly private observation:
UNLESS the way leads into blind al
ley"
A year is a long time to remember a
caller who comes once and never returns.
SO Miss Blank forgot until she saw the
newspaper cut of a handsome woman vino
had been under the waters of Lake Como.
Then she recalled the wavy brown hair.
the emotional eyes and the splendid figure
lines.
The way had led into blind alley
Flag day produced one man who was
too patriotic for his own good.
He had advertised his loyalty to the
Stars and Stripes until every passenger
on the car was intimately aware of the
fact that he would gladly shed the last
drop of blood for his country. and to his
dying day would regret that he was too
young to fight for 1t in the civil war.
His medium Of information was another
man of about his own age, who happened
to be seated next to him. His audience
and women with baskets and transfers
for 7th street.
Yes, sir. 1 was only a college lad at
the outbreak, but no soldier who ever
fought and fell in battle had greater
love for the nag. thrill at the bare sight
of it. sir. 1t gives me noble impulses; up
lifts me and all that sort of thing. II I
made the laws of these United States, all
hats should be raised at sight of Old
Glory"
The other man made his first Interrupt
ton.
''There'd be busy times, considering the
flags you can see right now looking down
the Avenue"
You are considering 1t too lightly, sir.
am terribly in earnest in this matter.
would make laws that would put an end
to disrespect of the standard that was
baptized in blood. promise you there
would be the electric chair for miscre-
ants who would abuse the flag. And as
to traitors who would sell tt
Hold your horses, friend admonished
the other man. You are treading on my
toes. I'm a storekeeper and sell flags
every day in the year.
The patriotic man looked his disgust
and tried to voice it. The other had no
intention OF stopping.
I'm going to get OF at the next cor
ner and then you can talk all you want
to. 1 wasn't college lad when the war
broke out hut / was going to the prl-