The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1918-11-09
By ANN
Isle

paltry missing dollar-but couldn't
do It.
must return and ask Virginia
for the money. However that hurt
me, it could be managed, and in a
way that need not reflect on Jim.
And so | went back and told Vir-
Eina a little white lie" about my
chronic carelessness in money mat
tiers, and how it had sent me out
with a ridiculously small amount
of money that morning.
I'VE all do those things now and
then. May | lend you SIS OF $40,
AIMEE" she asked in an even, un-
ruff1ed voice. Ordinarily that tone
of hers froze me. Now II saved
me humiliation, as did the care
less, matter-of-fact way she slipped
a bill into my hand under cover of
the tablecloth.
Hardly was our transaction con-
cluded when Sheldon Blake came
stroIlinG over to the table.
Hello, Mrs. Jimmie" gaid he.
"Will you let a thirsty and lonely
man have coffee with you? Those
money Erubbing friends of mine
don't understand the joys of a leIs-
urely luncheon"
opportunity TO have you meet my
new sisters" I said, and presented
him to Virginia and Phoebe.
Then, all in a moment, Sheldon's
desire for a ''leisurely cup OF cof-
fee" was explained. He wanted 1t
with Virginia. He didn't make the
slightest effort to conceal his tre-
mendous admiration for Mrs. Dali
ton-and Virginia's indifference.
coupled with Phoebe's utter lack of
amazement. told me something
more to add to my list OF notes"
about this almost undecipherable
sister-in-law OF mine. Virginia had
a great deal OF charm-of lure-for
men. Could that be what had sep
arsted her from Pat Dalton?
Ny speculations were interrupted
by the arrival of the check, which
Sheldon calmly appropriated and
signed. After all my agony over
the inglorious, missing dollar
after the actual ordeal OF asking
Virginia for help-came this abb
surd, yet perfectly proper ending.
Virginia Thaws.
And when Virginia rose to leave.
Sheldon insisted on putting his car
at her disposal. and phoned just
before . to explain almost apollo
getically that he was detained at
the office. but was sending his car
and chauffeur around to call on us.
And Virginia's Illuminating COM
ment when ] came and tod her.
was:
How kind. He must really be
quite devoted to you and jim"
I've never noticed it before" 7
replied dryIv, remembering the time
Jim had almost affiliated himself
with a gang of thieves down in the
strickland Sheldon had made no
move to stop him.
You'll have dinner with us to-
niEht-won't you, Eirls?" I asked
when the car deposited me at my
door an hour later.
"a nice little family partv:"
asked Virginia in a tone that was
almost friendly. We'll be glad to
come-to get away from hotels and
to test the housekeeping Jim boasts
about"
That left me in a warm glow OF
delight--over which a shower of
cold water was destined to be cast
before long-for was summoned
to the phone in the midst Of peelins
potatoes, and Phoebe's voice whis-
psred:
Wee says she's so tired she just
can't so out again tonight-so
will you please come here to din
nsr instead"
7 knew Jim would want me 10
accept. But as ] turned from the
phone, hard on my own Yes" two
doubts came 70 assail me:
Had Nirgini4 seen through my
himsy little preteIt about being
careless with money-was she ask
ing US to be her guests at the
Rochsmbeau because she suspected
that my proud Jim could hardly
afford to entertain any extras" at
dinner? And-dId her invitation
include Neal: