The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1918-11-05

the ROBIN a bit restlessly.
Jim Expected Soon
do you think Jim will be home
soon?' he asked.
1 understood. His ardent youth
hated being confined 10 our little
apartment. He had given me Of hts
best In a hIgh!tids Of boyish devo.
ton, but no whe wanted 70 set out
and have q little fun after hts days
work. / knew this as well as II he
had put It into words
"Jim will be home By g." de-
clared, remembering my husband
had said the agent wos going to
show them the apartments between
: and s. You run along to q movie.
Neal"
"I'm not going to leave you. Bab-
sie," declared Neal, slipping hts tie
a bit tighter in unconscious prepa-
ration for going out even a. b
spoke
'sNonsenss, Iaddiei You know I
haven't had a minute with Jim to-
day. and 1t would be almost = kind
ness"
THAT'S right, Babbs. You al
ways tell me when I'm In the yay.
or won't feel I've the right to
stay here and he boltsd out Of the
place.
smiled with tears in my eyes
would never forget how Neal had
stood by me this spring. Il had
made me very happy. But e. the
minutes passed and Jim didn't come.
all happiness went from me. Il
was lonE after 10 when my hus-
band returned. The very ,ArBt
words he said were these:
where's that selfish young cub?
Couldn't he stay home with his sis
ter one. EVENING"
II sent him out, jim" I said col
oFIessly, waiting for Jim to come
and tilt my chin for his kiss.
But Jim propped into . chair near
the door.
am dead tired he said g.,
Then took refuge in cold saF-
easm:
ooh, indeed! You weren't too
tired to run around town with your
sister. So I should think you might
find enough energy to walk across
the room and-greet your wife,
Jim laughed-but there was al
ugly eurtness in that laugh:
well, neither OF Us seems 70
have much energy to spare, or you
might have had sense enough to 20
over to the Rochambeau some tins
today"
Il 'phoned," I famed in sele-de-
Tense you said should 'phlneF
'Phoned?" mimicked JONI Ny
dear Anne, there are certain decen-
cies In civilized society. Ny sisters
come home from q year In the West.
and, for reasons we won't 60 into. I
ARn- k1~ANeaNae-v -
my hor.e- It seems to me that my
wife would, naturally and without
suggestion from me, think OF some
way of welcoming them to their
home town"
A Stormy Scene.
Il didn't think Virginia wanted
me- She wasn't very cordial"
-Ars you eriticising virginia'S
manners?" asked Jim, ineisivsly.
Really, Anne. that's very amusing,
to say the least II didn't ind q
50 funny might be angry. Virginia
Is, as you would do well to remem-
Der, dearer to me than
Than your wife herselfi"
stormed wildly I was on my feet
now. had backed against the Ia
VIC anu eAo ANAlAAB hE1NAAg Oa -
with my clenched hands held forei-
bly, at my sides. My chest hesved
and had great trouble to keep my
breath from bursting out in hoarss
gasps
Anne, do you think you can man
age to do without making a scensF
he asked in what I took 70 be .
bored tone.
But you don't love me- Y01
care more for Virginia thar
Jim laid his hands on the arm Of
the chair and fairly pushed himself
to his feet He limped heavily -
he crossed the room and stood tow
ering over me with eyes ablAsA
Virginia Is my sister-no onO
can touch our love for each other.
It's been part OF US since We were
children But you are my W1feI
chose you from all the world II
hadn't loved you why should I have
married your" he asked grimIy.
Why, indeed What had I brought
to Jim but love? Tenderness swept
over me. Then came terror-terror
lest by my own deed 1 lose that
love.
Jim. Jim. dariing-forEirs M
I've been a stupid, jealous goose!
But I'll make up for it-Pu 20
down on my knees to Virginia II
you say so. Your sisters shall be ny
sisters. too. Jim" sobbcd-my
pride broken only love me, darl-
ing: Love me. love mew
/ flung my arms about him plead
ingly-and Jim drew me close. he
laid his lips on my mouth. And I
knew that he was mine aSain-in
that moment Virginia didp't eo,fpt
Ito BE COntInuedD