The Pulaskian., 1917-06-29
CHAPTER xIII-continued.


 "I've got something to tell you," she said. Don't have a fit, and don't laugh. If you do, I'll-I'll jump out of the window. I've got a place In a store. I'm going to be straight, Pal mer."
 "Good for you!"
 He meant it. She was a nice girl and he was fond of her. The other was logs life. And he was not unselfish about 1t. She could not belong to him. He did not want her to belong to any, )ne else.
 "One of the nurses in the hospital, Hiss Page, has got me something to do It Linton & Hofburg's. am going on Or the January white sale. If I make xood they will keep me-"
 He had put her aside without ualm; and now he met her announce nent with approval. He meant to let fer alone. They would have a holiday 3ogether, and then they would say ;ood-by. And she had not fooled him. Inc still cared. He was getting off we'll, all things considered. She might aave raised row.
 Good worki" he said. "You'll be a lot happier. But that isn't any reason why we shouldn't be friends, is it2 lust friends mean that. would like to feel that I can stop in now and then and say how do you do."
 T promised Miss Page"
 'Never mind Miss Page.'
 The mention of Sidney's name brought up in his mind Christine as he had left her that morning. He scowled. Things were not going well at home. There was something wrong with Christine. She used to be a good sport, but she had never been the same since the day of the wedding. He thought her attitude toward him was Dne of suspicion. It made him uncom- eortable. But any attempt on his part to fathom it only met with cold silence. That had been her attitude that morn- 'ng
 'I'll tell you what we'll do," he said. We won't go to any of the old places. i've found a new roadhouse in the country that's respectable enough to suit anybody. We'll go out to Schwit- ter's and get some dinner. I'll prom lse to get you back early. How's that"
 In the end she gave in. And on the way out he lived up to the letter of their agreement. The situation ex- nilarated him: Grace with her new air of virtue, her new aloofness; his comfortable car; Johnny Rosenfeld's discreet back and alert ears.
 The adventure had all the thrill of new conquest in it. He treated the girl with difference, did not insist when she refused cigarette, felt glowingly Virtuous and exultant at the same time.
 When the car drew up before the Schwitter place, he slipped 7ve-dollar bill into Johnny Rosenfeld's not over clean hand.
 T don't mind the ears," he said. Just watch your tongue, lad" And Johnny stalled his engine in sheer sur prise.
 There's just enough of the Jew in me-" said Johnny, ''to know how to talk lot and sey nothing, MT. Howe"
 Johnny Rosenfeld at eighteen had developed philosophy of four words. It took the place of the Golden Rule, the Ten Commandments, and the Cate ohism. It was: Mind your own busi- aess."
 True to his promise, Palmer wakened ne sleeping boy before nine o'clock. trace had eaten little and drunk noth- ng; but Howe was slightly stimulated. Give her the 'once over,'" he told Johnny. "and then go back and crawl nto the rugs again. I'll drive in."
 Grace sat beside him. Their progress was slow and rough over the country roads, but when they reached the state road Howe threw open the throt- tie. He drove well. The liquor was m his blood. He took chances and got away with them, laughing at the girls gasps of dismay.
 Wait until get beyond Simkins- yiile'" he said. land I'll let her out. 1onre going to travel tonight, honey The girl sat beside him with her eyes fixed ahead. He had been drink Ing. and the warmth of the liquor was ih hss voice. She was determined on one thing. She was going to make nm i've ID to the letter of his prom