The Washington times., 1917-12-25

Just out OF school, she had taken a
civil service examination and had
Immediately been assigned to a clerk
ship at 5000 a year. The promotion
to $1,000 had been rapid, the pro-
motion to $1,000 slow. She had no
relatives in Washington. and a young
girl in the civil service has few
opportunities OF making friends.
And so, at thir:y-five. unmarried,
Independent, without savings. and
with expenses adjusted exactly to her
salary. living in reality outside of
life, she sat at the cafe table and
asked herself what II was all about.
and what the future held for her.
As IL in answer to her query a be
wilderlng appsrition fitted in, a little
old lady in a gaudy costume fash
Toned after the styles Of long past
years. Somebody's dear old grand
mother" her clothing proclaimed her.
but the wrinkled face was rouged and
powdered, and the hair which pro-
truded on either side OF the old-fash-
toned bonnet was brilliant yellow. and
proclaimed itself as unmIstakabIy a
wig.
my dear" vouchsafed this amaz-
ing stranger. Are you eating all
alone?"
81 shall be glad Of company" the
young woman replied: and she was
indeed interested to learn the his
tory OF the strange being which had
accosted her. II was only necessary
to wait for silence, for the old lady
prattled on.
when I was your age never
thought that I would come to this.
Ny husband was General
who. you remember, was one OF the
heroes OF the war. But he never
would save money. and after he died,
in 'S5, ! accepted a position in the
office here, and have worked
there ever since. But men are queer
creatures-they like women TO be
young. Never. dear child" here she
waved a claw-like finger coyIy in the
younger woman's face. permit your
self to grow old-they W!ll have no
use for you II you do. And do you
think We are going 10 get retire
ment? Because II We don't. ! shall
simply have to go to the pOOrhOuse
With the cost Of living what IL Is,
find it almost Impossible to exist on
my 5000 a year. Isn't D., simply
frightful:'
Christmas. S p. M Under a flick
ering gas-jet in a fairly comfortable
hall bedroom, a young man sat writ
ing. He was, one would have said.
not long away from the country. The
vivid color in his cheeks spoke OF a
healthy outdoor life: but there was
q dissatisfied droop to his mouth, and
ii was evidently with some disturb
ing consideration in his mnd that he
looked at the superscription on the
sheet OF letter paper beneath his |
hand. My dearest girl"
"See the Town.
As he sat in discontinued medita-
tiOn a loud knock sounded on his
door Come in" he called. and an
older youth stepped briskIy forward |
into the room. Carefully tailored |
and the latest thing in ries,
with a green fedora and buckskinl
walking gloves proclaimed him a
young man OF distinctly urban tastes.
Come out and see the town." he
with cheerful curtness. to
which his host RESPONDED. uncertain
-, why don't know was
Just writing a letter to nv girl"
"Your girl" the other INTERRUPTED.
scoffingly, "You are certainly NOT
thinking OF getting inarried?''
We'll, l don't know-we had
hoped
Nov. Henry, listen to a little
sense. How much money are Won
earning in the --- department." 4
"A thousand dollars
How far does il co.
"You know very well owe 1900"
And how much more can you ex
pect TO earn in this Government sery
ice? I'll tell you, son. a limit OF /,
'l'sOo. You can live, alone. on that:
put support "iie and children-it
boy, but don't love one. Amnss your.
self, but never. never marry And /
now come on out with your uncle and
zee the town"
You're On. 'he other how re
marked. wiz sigh OF something like
-elief. An' as he reached 10 lower ,
he light his hand brushed against fhe
etter which he had commenced and !
Knocked it to the floor