The Washington times., 1918-08-22

nr9t Lieutenant QcClQeQ
that Il would probably give him
about S45 for self and wife," and
that I must ind q little apartment
for that sum- We couldn't oig
deeper into our salary for rent
Il was impossible to discuss the
matter with Jim. for the shadow Ct
unhappiness and nervousness was
always winging It's way across his
face. Fearless Jim" seldom smiled
now-these days he wasn't fearlesA
could see that So did not annoy
him with questions.
Forty-ive dollars q month didn't
impress the first real estate agent
very favorably.
I went a weary round Of rf1ees
and finally, at the fc0rth, procured
a list OF apartments ranging IN
rental from $40 q month to $6S
Why took the beyond-the-dreams-
of-avarice-sixty-nve-dollar Lat I
never knew!
Then I Travelled from cns end q
the town to the other I saw
"walk-ups," with dark halls and
great, large. dreary rooms--afty-
three dollars and nfty cents. There
were apartments with no electric
ity, apartments with ancient plumb
ing, apartments from which cculd
hear the roar Of the eel" apart
ments so far from street ear and
subway that dare not conten1~
plate walking TO and fro on a slip
perry wintry day. That Is, 1idn't
dare contemplate the walk for my
Jim, with his shattered ankle bona
Two days OF weary search Two
days OF mysterious business" hat
took all my husbands time oufeS
evenings, when each Of Us was evil
IDENTIFY trying 20 hide some pain o.
disappointment from the other.
Then I decided to go down to the
Washington Square neighborhood
and hunt about for myself
I had heard of a wonderful place
where apartments went for as lit
tie as IS a month. But I found that
the Place and the Alley were alleys
indeed: that the Rntals were far.
far higher than tradition had said
and that both had long waiting
lists.
Disconsolate, 1 wandered over -
the Avenue wanted to get out OF
the atmosphere of shocked girls
with short. bobbed hair and ane-
mic men with long. bobbed hair.
And then heard a husky lit
tie voice cry from a car that vas
drawing near the curb:
why, its Jim's wife! Mrs HAr-
risonl Anne-AnneF'
1t was Evelyn Mason. she was
driving a smart little 'chummy
roadster" enameled blue She, her
self, was all in soft gray. with
-
looked like pert. mischievous
child. At her side sat Sally Royce
more like a copper brown Pekin-
ese than ever in her copper-colored
silk jersey and Haunting hat OF
gold and copper straw.
They dragged me to lunch with
them. They ordered lavishly and
quite without asking me what I
preferred. They questioned me
about where we were staying and
what was doing down near the
Arch. When I told them that Jim
and I were at the walgrave they
exchanged glanceS that were al
most-audible.
when told them that was
''house hunting Evelyn was fairly
inspired
aFu take you straight to Cousin
Tom. He's the biggest real estate
agent in these parts Sally, you
charter a taxi for the rest Of your
trip while 1 superintend Annes
search for a home"
SalIy smiled lazily. Then her
ewes narrowed. It's nice Of you.
Eyvy. It's like you, too-ditching
me without a by your leave, while
YOU 20 out to ind Jim home
EVELYN didn't answer. She only
looked like a wistful child whose
tovs were all being taken from her
by a big bully.
SaIlv Maid the check. offered 70
,tand nv share-otfered with throo-
oInr -heart-but Sally waved the
subject away indinerently.
Eyelyn's cousin Tom had an onies
hat looked like an interior decora-
tor's studio. He proved to be cal
.ulating man with lips a bit TOO
mil and eyes a bit too narrow. he
was big and indolent in the move
nents of his body, but his face had
4 rapierlike quality. And when ne
looked at me I felt that he knew
what color my petticoat was ana
how much money there was In my
bag.
Evelyn stated the case
Mr.. Mason studied me Narrowly
and asked:
What are you planning to payr
I felt myself blushing. How could
| expose Jim's pride to these peopleI
you know what the Government
flows a first lieutenantT I said
for a light tone.
'Yes-I know. And I know, too
hat Jim has the tastes Of a-gen-
eraL He should have married Q
'ich girl" Tom Mason shifted his
glance to his cousins face as he
spoke.
But Evelyn sat with downeast
Eyes. Finally she spoke In that
husky little voice OF hers. She put
Ter words slowly, as IL feeling her
delicate.
Couldn't you give Anne very
special rates? A big Studio with Q
wee bath and kitchenette-andp per
hapS bedroom-furnished OF
course, for she wouldn't want to tie
up any money in furniture under
the circumstances. II having Mrs
Harrison for a neighbor isn't an
Inducement follower the rent,
don't know you. Tommie. You can
make the evenings so pleasant for
her when she's alone"
Mr.. Mason smiled. His eyes mar
rOwed TO mere slits.
Evelyn was biting her full red
1nderliD anNiOusfv she lo0kad re-