The Washington times., 1918-11-14

And all during the Gay OF my
party while 1 was deep in nervous
yet hopeful preparations for IL
remembered Jim's delight becau e
I leaned across the table In the
little card room issuing 4 laugh
ing mandate TO Betty and Terry.
You two are included because
you're our closest friends--Jim
war family So you'll break all
engagements and come. won't
your"
They accepted and Virginia cried
with real enthusiasm:
How jolly OF you, Anne. and
how equally jolly of you two to
cancel your appointments for us"
The frst thing had done 10
win VirginiG'S complete approval
vAs TO invite Betty Brice to din
ner.
That came to me next day with
such force q almost caused me 10
drop the fishrinE / was examining
with terror less. for the frst time
in my career as a cook II refused
to jeH ! rescued the mold. put Il
beck on the ice prayerfully and ad-
vanced 10 the next courBe-chlcken
en- casserole. BY the time that was
steaming away with q savory
promise, my Ehortcake was ready
TO come out Of the oven and cool
4 BIT in anticipation of its gentle
burial beneath peaches and cream.
Then came . furry OF final prep
aration-setting the table. dress-
ing and experimenting Jim's tie
and Meals hair.
After that came the delicate task
of greeting the guests in a manner
that would seem 9hhurried and
make Jim proud of his wife and
full Of delicious anticipate anent
her party.
1t started with fine promise when
Terry arrived and said in his rich,
delightful voice: Il CAM see that
this is going to be a top-hofe party"
And 1t was-at first
Praise From Virginia.
When Virginia praised my cook
ing. thought I should expire OF
joy. To think Of stately VirEinia's
discussing mere food. All through
dinner felt sxubsrantly uncertain
that my party was = real success.
Even the percolator worked and
the cream poured out thick and
rich.
The janitor's. wife came up to do
the dishes for me-and after Phoebe
and Neal and / had cleared the re-
feAtory table and had returned TO
play lady" as Neal put II, some
one suggested that we have . go at
poker. That some one" was Jim.
He insisted on teaching me the
game. / detest all card games ex-
cept bridge, and was on the verge
OF insisting that ia prefer to stay
out, when caught sudden glimpse
Of Neal and Phoebe-happily
esconcsd on the big couch, quite
absorbed in e eh other. So played
poker. Or tried to. -. .-'
The game ended abruptly an hour
later-for suddenly Virginia dis
covered that happy liale group OF
two. and decided that she wanted
a ehatty evening. She sent Phoebe
into the bedroom for her bag, set
tied her score. and then stfollsd
over to the couch and sat down in
the middle OF it with q complete air
of intending to remain there.
Prom the moment OF her hrst
move TO end the poker game Jim
surprised me.
Virginia, don't be q Epoil-spoft,"
he protested irritAbiy.
This to his beloved virEindR-
and he followed II by stubbOrnly
insisting that Betty and Terry con-
tinue the game. But Betty wooed
Terry away with q smile and said
she also felt "chatty."
~AIl right, then, let the girls
RosSIp-but shoot . few dice with
me. Terry" Jim urged.
Betty and Terry exchanged q
quick Elancs-and then the Eng
Iishman said he'd rather talk and
get acquainted.
How about you. Nsal"" asked
Jim, moistening his lips nervously
As he produced . little black cyl
indsr from hts eGrdboX.
Tn with you" said Neal. Routed
from Phoebe's side, he gladly seized
the chance Of getting into Jim's
good EraoeE
'Tn match you for the hrst
throw" ..
Jim tossed a penny on the table,
covering IL with his hand and
watched Neal inten4ly. Neal
brought q coin from his pocket,
shook Il between clasped palms
and lifted his right hand to show
the Indian head-while Jim's coin
lay with the date up.
The Game Stops.
~Good boy. Neal. You win" Jim's
voice was hard, yet feverish.
Neal shook the dice box. Out
came q pair OF threes.
Jim was breathing heavily as he
crouehed over the table with his
eyes H-Elitter.
Again Neal tossed the little cubes
ouf m the takie-and noW q sir
rolled into sight. followed by a
The last toss was q ave and q four.
Jim raked in the two quarters that
lay before him and suggested doCb-
ling the stakes.
A moment later he was laughing
nervousiy as q one and then q six
rolled out at his first light nirt
Of the dice box.
Better luck next time. KID" he
exclaimed. but his hands trembled
as nc handed the box back TO Neal.
Again Neal lost. Jim clUtched the
coins eagerly and laughed dry,
reckless laugh. As he sat there,
With bis hair tossed into a tumbled
mass and his eyes fairly burning on
Neal and the dice and the jumbled
piis OF bills and coin ia front Of
him, ] became aWare OF the strange
silence in the room. The only thing
that broke It was Jim's staccato
Laughter and the rattle OF the dice.
Suddenly Virginia rose:
''JlmmIe, dear, will you take me
homer rVe q lot Of work to DO At
the apartment tomorFoW-and l
want to ask you about some OF it.
Wall Unlg and ref a hit NJ AIR