The Washington times., 1918-09-12
When a Girl Marries
SERIAL OF YOUNG Welded LIFE :
Anne Finds Herself Tete-a-Tete With
Tom Mason, Who Insists That
He Stay to Supper.

II.
l shrank back in amazement,
Mr.. Mason actually thought thak.1
would let him remain. Perhaps IL
all seemed natural enough TO a NsWL
York society man, but to me the
very idea was revolving. First o.
all, did not want to have guests az
little house warming" before TRy0
husband had eaten a meal in his.
own home. Now il no longer
seemed a question OF feelings and
desires alone. but one actually OF
dignity-of decency.
or course. I couldn't wouldn't
permit this man to remain alopE
with me in the apartment Even n
offended him and~>Seemed to hun
narrow minded and old fashioned. I
must make that clear
/ tried. But Mr. Mason smiled at
me in a fashion that made me feel
like an ignorant little girl talking
to a wise old man.
MY dear child. don't be absurd.
How can II matter IL stay for hair
an hour. eat my share OF the party
to which you have just invited me-
and that looks so delicious, or
whether go now. hungry and
tired? Surely you won't deprive me
OF my supper. I've earned 1t,
haven't I? Child alive. Jim wea,t
like it IL you go around snubhInE
all his old friends"
had snubbed some OF Jtrnis
friends-Mr. Mason spoke as il int
was common knowledge. / dfdrBe
want to offend again. Sas
"Oh. | don't know what 10 do,sI
cried. desperately.
'Of course. you don't. you poor
little tired child. But I. as one of
Jim's oldest friends. assure you-frs
would want to do the right ard
proper thing. You aren't going to
deny me your hospitality-are yoaZl
In a series of flashes il came over
me that I generally did the wFoag
thing where Jim's friends were
concerned This man. who had been
so kind to me, had known Jim sase
boyhood. u
I'm so worn out I can't think"
/ stammered- II didn't mean to be
rude-I just wanted to do what was
dignified and proper. You under
stand that. don't you, Mr.. Mason.
You see, I'm a small-town girl and
a business woman. and 1 haven't
had much time for city society
training. But 1 don't want you-to
think Jim's wife is a boor."
Mr. Mason Sympathetic. SOC
Mr.. Mason studied me a moment
with questioning eyes. Poor little
country mouse-of course, she was
a bit puzzled. But you can trust
the judgment OF a man SO much
older than yourself, can't you?" -
81 think so. Oh, of course, know
So" 1 exclaimed, smiling my apollo
gies almost humbly.
Ny verdict was a tribe prema-
ture. 90
Run along and cool OF a bit,
little lady. Wait a minute-w0
can't have you supping in that stiff.
formal satin dress. Here's the very
thing" 77T
He hurried over to worm
eaten, carved chest set across one
corner of the room and drew OUT .
robe of silk. 1t glinted in woven
lights of blue and green and apripf4-
1t fairly scintilated. He held(tt
toward me with a little smile OF
complete understanding.
Il couldn't" 1 gasped. I was
exhausted and the day had been 4
nightmare of trying to forget.
wanted to cry.
Mr.. Mason came toward me and
flung the flashing silk garment On
the couch between US as he drew
me down into its cushioning EN-
brace and sank beside me. holding
my cold hands in his strong clasp
His eyes were alight. and his voice
vibrated as he spoke:
Donna Annai Poor little tired
lady. ] want you to be happy Ia
your new home. Were friends.
aren't we? Don't be formal with
me-run and put on the robe, htas
girl. and well have a coy even
ing"
There was nothing in his words
panic took possession OF me.
I'm grateful. ] thank you for
all you have done to help" ! said.
with determination ringing in 81 my
voice II wouldn't be rude to one
OF Jim's friends for the world3but
you must 60"
He smiled and loosed his clasp Of
my hands.
GO. put on the robe. little grit
you must go" [ repeated in
voice l had to struggle to keep
steady.
And then. as he shook his head n
SLOW. smiling negstion, the teis-
phone bell rang, and Mr.. Mason
lcaped to his feet.
CTO BE CONTINUED)