, 1918-03-21

huSn MCINTOSH sorted MS letters
rapidly, pausing for an instant to look
at the superscriptlon upon a small,
square envelope, the handwriting of
which he did not recognize. This he
laid aside for the moment for more
pressing business and then forgot it.
This was strange, for it vas an in
slstent thing, lying as it did alone upon
the desk in front of him. Once his
eyes fell upon it and he stretched out
his hand to take it up but was inter-
rupted INT not until he left the office,
hours later, was he conscious that the
letter was still unread.
He picked it up and slipped it into
his pocket, thinking to read 1t at his
leisure and again it was forgotten.
Yet he was neither a careless nor for
getful man, but at this time he was
absorbed by an important case that
claimed all his energy and determine
ton to carry it to a successful issue.
Beside this, he believed 1t to be an in
vitation which he had 10 time to ac-
cept.
Two months later as he was passing
the White House he collided with a
woman in white who had suddenly
stopped in his path to read the suffrage
banner held aloft by a very tired
looking girl. With an apology he was
about to pass on, when he caught a
side view of the face under the broad
brimmed hat. "You,'' he said, stopping
short and holding u his hand. Is"
thought you were in California"
81 was until two months ago." Mary
no,-;o ,n,-,ora1 aon1 if &c 0nol fa ha
back, even If my throat does contract
with an ache every time a uniform
passes me. War seemed farther away
out there, but here, where almost every
other man you meet is in khaki, 1t is
very near"
Eyes," he said, looking at her with
appreciative eyes, Giving in Washing
ton we are in the midst of things and
the war is brought very close. But
suppose we forget 1t for a time. Come
and TAXI lunch with me. 1 know a
place where they give you wonderful
rolls and a delicious salad. That is, of
course, unless you prefer a hotel"
"My tastes are still simple" she re-
piled with a laugh. "Rolls and salad
sound good to a hungry woman"
at is rather a shabby little place."
he answered, almost in apology.
"What matter? Washington is a
city of extremes. Two blocks up the
avenue from the White House is
s%habbiness indeed. Walk down Seven
teenth street until you reach the Cor
coran Art gallery. What do you
pass? Gentility, nothing more until
you come to the wonderful group of
buildings further on. That is the one
thing about Washington-its strong
contrasts"
81 did not bring you to lunch to talk
about contrasts and extremes. l want
to hear about yourself. Why didn't
you let me know you were in town?'
Don't you read the daily papers?'
she asked carelessly. 81 believe / was
announced even to the details of my
travelling dress, which was an old one,
by the way, and did not deserve no
toriety."
81 never read the society news and
frivolity does not sit well upon you,
my dear young lady. What reason
did o nave for not sending me your
card?"
"Are you sure I did not2"
"Quite sure. 1t would have reached
me If you had sent it."
II forgot your address and did not
think to look in the directory. You
can give 1t to me now, If you will"
He looked at her steadily. "Are you
quite sure that was the reason2"
why not? 1t is the best 1 can
think of on the spur of the moment"
she returned lightly.
"Why should there be a r~eason?" he
asked again.
"Why do you always look for one?"
h countered back. 'Think of it as a
woman's whim."
Neither whims nor frivolity be-
comes you" he replied shortly, 'but /
will give you my card" He drew a
fiat case from his pocket and, not find
Ing what he wanted, laid several
papers upon the table. Uppermost on
the pile was the unopened letter re-
ceived two months before.
Mary Bowie's eyes widened, then
became expresslonless as she glanced
from 1t to her companion, still search
Ing for his elusive card. AS he raised
his eyes they, also, were caught and
held by the square envelope.
Il forgot it," he said simply. at
reached me when 1 was absorbed in
an important case. OF course 1t was
~inexcusable. l meant to read 1t when
] had leisure, but whenever 1 started to
open it / was interrupted. If you will
pardon me i will look over 1t now"
lie 1t wait. An hour or SO will
now make little difference to your cor
respondent"
Il have never correspondent with a
woman In my life. and doubt II his