The Washington times., 1918-11-23
When a Girl
Marries
Envy Takes Charge of
the Party Supposed
to Be Anne's
By Ann Isle.
CHAPTER a.

Lh6 OlnneT was WHAT DSheNc
is called "a social success ="
Yet is was q nightmare to me
Once upon q. time 1 boosted as
proudly as the next one that had
sense Of humor." Now often
wonder where I've mislaid it-and
II I'd have any use for it II 1t were
around
Certainly il wouldn't apply TO the
ugly changes saw come over my
husband in the dice game and In
the excitement Of the race on which
he had stalZed his money. Nor can
humor deal with this problem:
II Jim acts 30 nearly like q mad
man when he's winning. what will
he do when he loses?
And challenge the ghosts OF all
the humorists since the world be-
gan to find anything laughable in
Yfrginia's manner at sight OF her
; husband-or of her treatment OF
me thereafter. She acted as II
had betrayed and deceived her and
had led her into the pocket of the
Dalton came face to face. Why
couldn't she see that Envy was re-
sponsible-that EvFy was hurting
me. too?
Now, Tom NaSon's car was parked
not far from ours. We saw Pat
Dalton leap into the car and, throw
ing in his clutch, savageIy drive
rscklessly through the press Of mo-
tors
Tom Mason laughed-was It rue
fully?
swell. folks, will you have pity
on the lonely orphang" he cried
jim took his cue quickly.
SPlenty Of room in Captain Wins
toms car, Tom. And a chance to
give you 3 rousing welcome home"
And he presented Tom Mason
formally to Betty and Terry. Tom
looked his admiration, for Betty,
but turned quickly to me:
love, what q beauty But never
40 sweet and lovely aS-lilac"
His tone was full OF meaning.
Then he greeted Virginia She
WIS composed and icy again.
Her eyes were remote-iike Jim's
!. when he talks OF his days in the
flying forcea.
HoE the rest of our party Joined
"a Tom was introduced and we
got into the cars.
There was q look OF quiet happi-
less OF Phoebe's face as she took
her place at Meals side. And Meals
copper curls were flung back in q
sort of triumph that made him ap-
pear like q statue Of the sun-god.
But Virginia didn't seem to per-
cetve this-her eyes remained 70
mote-and sad
Mr.. Mason took possession OF me.
And in my bitterness at what Jim
had done, at the way he permitted
Envy to snuggle up to his side, 7
was grateful for the warm, friend
~ kindness with which Tom Mason
seemed to protect me from the tur-
moiI Of my own thoughts. I was IN
no mood to play neglected wife"
while Jim and Envy raved over
the success of her 'hunch."
This was my husbands first party,
snd-Evvy serenity took charge Of
St It was like Jim's generosity
and gratitude to her, but why
couldn't he see how this belittIed
NET
Envy practically ordered the din
ner. She made the seating arrange
A4CASos SALa Ne1 ~ INC 1eaQ OF the
table, at the foot And stretch
ing between Us were Betty. Terry.
Virginia, Sheldon at one side and
on the other Envy, Neal, Phoebe
and Tom. It looked natural enough.
but as sat between Sheldon Blake
and Tom Mason wondered why
Envy had put her old friend Shell
don as far from her as possible and
had chosen to place Neal on her
right
There was dancing in the big
dining room behind us, and without
even waiting for their clans, Neal
and Phoebe ran in at the FIRST note
Of . fox-trot and circled the room
happily in each others arms. / saw
q quick fash Of giances between
Betty and Terry, and then the hand
some English captain leaned down
the table and said coaxinEly:
Mrs Jimmie-first q toast to our
bride and Eroom-and then this
very dance with the bride herself,
please"
Tom Mason replied for me, lifting
his glass high:
~We1l rise to your toast Captain
Wtnston-but the dance IL mine"
Terry bowed graVely. and stood
Up for the toast to Jim and me.
Then there began a contest be-
tween Terry and Tom Mason for the
honor OF my society.
Virginia, cold and aIoof, watch
ing Phoebe and Neal intently, al
most unaware OF Sheldou's near
ness, his importunate glances, his
crdor.
There was a tension IN the air
Ike the stiffness before Il summer
storm. Then up spoke Betty:
Anne, you two honeymooners
have bluffed long enough. Now Pm
coming down to get acquainted
with Mr.. Mason, and you are going
TO stop being the belle OF the ball &,
and como up here like a sweet, lit
tie old-fashioned wife and give US
one more beautiful glimpse of the
Jinlmies ase they are"
Jim rose 70 greet me, a smile on
his lips. He took my hand in his
and made a little laughing speech
that gave me my first moment of
happiness in twenty-four hours.
Friends. behold the happy Jim
miles reunited. And now to the one
dance this game ankle OF mine
dares venture in an evening-with
my Princess Annei"
Quickly Envy darted about and
flung her command to Neal:
Come. lad, here's the waltz
promised you"
And as Neal stood UP. manfuI IL
reluctant saw Phoebe's sweet lit
tie face cloud over mistily like a
rose IN q shower.