The Washington times., 1918-08-24
When a Girl Marries
A SERIAL OF YOUNG Welded LIFE
Betty Makes a Generous Offer to the
Dismay of the Bride and the
Delight of the Bridegroom

Only a week ago had been on u
verge OF liking Betty Bryce. but now
suspicion took possession Of me again.
II Jim was too busy to 60 house hunt
ing with me, why had he tiTna for
Betty Bryce? Perhaps he had luncho1
with her, had spent the afternoon wltA
her.
\ Shame goaded my anger 70 EreshR
fury. Suppose Evelyn had sean hlni
I glanced at her. but she was ab-
sorbed In the problem Of bringing The
wheels Of her car In line with tho
curb. thanked her for all she'd done
for me. murmured q few platitndes
about hoping she would lunch with
me soon, and fairly rushed into thS
hotel after Jim and Betty. Two Or
three minutes OF hysterical dashing
up and down corridors brought me
the tea room They greeted ne wikA
delight. whieh-though I haasd No
self for IT. felt was clever aetlne.
Betty and my husband ordered
orange pekoe with lemon and toast
Melba chose ginger als--but tAs
mere fact. that they were ordering
In unison and that had struck 3
dissonant notes gave me an add
feeling OF being the outsider.
Anne, Betty's been telling ne
about her splendid new plan She's
going to travel about the country
for three months doing welfare
work In the campsL Isn't that
great? wouldn't you love to b
foot-loose, Mrs. Harrison, and DO
something big like that for your
Government?"
Perversely I began to wonder n
Jim would like to be -foot-loOsa.s
Every time he met Betty Bryce I
sensed in him a certain restless
ness. I hated my words almost a.
they formed in reply to Jim's quss-
ton. They were catty, but they
seemed fairly to say thepselvos:
''oh, I'd feel 80 conspicuous trsS-
cling around cAmps-alone and un~
chaperoned-"
Mrs. Bryce laughed sood-natr-
edly.
TIE Great BarEnin.
"of course you would, you dear
young thing. But I'm an old
stager. Two years OF driving an
ambulance in France makes ne
feel like q big sister to every sol
der in the world"
So that was where Betty and my
boy had come to be such friends
on the battlsfields OF Franeei
wanted to tell Betty how wonder
ful thought she was; wanted -
ask her about her work-but I
couldn't find words. Instead be-
gan talking eagerly-too eagerly
and too fluently-about the great
bargain Tom Mason had offered
me.
Jim and Betty exchanged glances.
Ny husband spoke questioningiy:
"Tom Masoni Where under the
sun did you meet him? why should
he rent US two magnificent fur
nished rooms for only seventy-ffvo
a month? That's-Whst do yoa
think, Betty?"
felt humillated. Eyidently Jim
didn't think me capable OF . elev-
er bargain. He doubted my Judg-
ment: he asked Betty's opinion
She leaned forward now, eager and
delighted-''foreing her opinion 81
US again" as told myself.
'I offer you q better bargain. my
dearsi Oh, It's providentiali Ny
work is going to keep me out Of
town until October. haven't time
to get my place into its summer
clothes or to hnd q good caretaksr.
So here's where YOU can do me .
real favor. Children. i appoint you
'caretakers' for Betty till she comes
back In October-and helps you ma
q little nest o. your own"
Jim'S eyes lighted, as he cried:
Betty you're a wonder! This n
Just what we want. isn't II. Amer
I held my voice to cold steadinesS-
but I could feel the blood burning In
my cheeks.
'I hardly see how VIC can accept
Mrs. Bryce's offer. dear" I said. IF
Mr.. Mason's seventy-five a month
looks Eke-eharity to you, what Is an
apartment rent free?"
There was a breathlesS moment
that ugly word charity fairly sx-
hailed poison gas. Suddenly Betty
Bryce rose and laid her hand on mine.
. I'm OF. children I've an appoint,
ment with an army colonel and . Red
Cross captain! So must rush. Don't
come, Jummy Boy. my cars At the
door. Here are the extra keys to my
little place. I'm going to count on md
ing you there when / come back"
She tossed the keys on the table be-
tween U.S. They flashed Up at me In
cool vioIence-like hers. How dared
Betty Bryce hing her unEelcome Sifts
At me AngTily | pushed them away
from inc. Jims eyes darkened to steel
Srsy-to black as he stared at me
across the little table. Then he picked
UP the keys, studied them quietly and
spoke-not to me-but to himsgifi'
What a wonder Betty is. That's
the offer Of a real friend! 20
He slipped tho keys into his pocket.
felt as IL they were locking me out
or his heart.