The Washington times., 1918-09-14
When a Girl Marries
A SERIAL OF YOUNG Welded LIFE
Jim Appears in the New Apartment,
His Eyes Blazing With Rage,
and Faces Anne.

ove--triendly clerk came over ;hS
wire:
There's a telegram here for you.
Mrs Harrison Shall send II by
messenger"
open it and read IT to me at
once. please"
More unctuous than ever was ths
voice:
"Oh, yes. OF course. I don't think
II didn't know you'd wish to have
US see the contents of your mes
sage. Yes, madam. I'll read II at
once. All, here 1t IL. It's from wash
ington, signed Jim-the lieutenant.
] suppose. II says: Returning at
$50: don't meet me station Coming
hotelN Immediately You couldn't
make the station. anyway. Mrs Har-
rison. It's almost $50 now
l hung up the receiver and turned
to Tom Mason with a feeling Of se-
cure and quiet power-my Jim was
coming home. Betty Bryce might be
in Washington-but my boy was
coming home to me,
Ny husband Is returning this
evening. He'll be here in half an
hour" I said triumphantly.
I got q most unexpected answer.
That's splendid. Now we'll just
turn off the coffee percolator, and
you can heat II up again when Jim
gets here 1t really will be nice and
coy for you to have your first meal
in the little place with him. But you
two children must invite q lonely
old bachelor in soon for q family
dinner-only fair that you shouid
make up to me for the disappoint-
ment OF tonight, isn't it7"
I stared at him in ama1ement. He
was gentle and friendly again-the
kindly, helpful host. Had I dream
ed that tense moment when he held
my hands in his? I was over tired, I
told myself. overwrought. nervous.
1 had imagined most of that little
scene with Mr.. Mason and misinter-
preted the rest Of IL. I found my
self actually sorry for him-he
looked OF a sudden tired and old.
Ny Jimmie, my wonderful lover, r.
was young-just a boy.
Thank you-for helping me get
settled" I forced myself to say.
Thank you. gracious lady! I'll
run over to the Rochambeau and
have a bite now-aIl alone-while
you make yourself fne for Jimmie.
The little bride must be sweet and
lovely on her first evening in the
new home. I wish you'd wear this
blue and gold robe-just TO prove
our friendship, and to make your
self charming for Jim
He held out the flashing robe, but
could not touch IL I was sorry
for the mamie would be alone and
I with my Jim-but. stiil, couldn't
accept that robe from him.
Az ennn he Z
II back into the carved chest Then
busted myself with happy prepara-
tions for a real housewarmlng.
looked about our new home
beautiful, quiet, luxurious. cool. It
was gIoriously different from the
noisy, stuffy little chamber at the
%algrave. But suddenly I looked
for nothing so much in all the
world as to be back at the Walgraye
waiting to meet Jim.
Then an idea came to me- I
dashed to the telephone, called the
Walgrave, and asked for Lieutenant
Harrison. / wSnted my voice to be
the first to greet my boy on his re
turn: and 1 realized that II would
be well to explain my new address
to save Jim from getting his news
from the manager and the oily
clerk.
The walgrave informed me
smoothly that Lieutenant Harrison
had been there but had just left.
He had taken a taxi and would be
with me in five or ten minutes
Suddenly I saw how badly I he'd
blundered. Why had not I phone
sooner? But IT didn't matter. jim
would understandable was on his
way to me.
I switched on the coffee perco-
later again and ran to make myself
fine in little negligee OF coral COL
ored crepe de chine. Eagerly. like
a bride decking herself for her
bridegroom. I prepared for my hu5-
bands coming.
In my joy. I forgot that he was
returning. not to familiar surround
ings, but to the unexplained
strangeness of Tom Mason's studio.
When was as fine and dainty
as could make myself. I ran 10
the deep window and kneit in FROM
of the flame-coIored torches walt
ing for the sound of Jinl's taxi. AZ
last, after long moments 0f wait
ing, the bulky machine drew uP to
the curb-my boy sIishted. I rose
again and stood waiting. The door
was open and my arms were held
out in welcome.
! could hear Jim's step on the
stair-the little drag Of his LETT
ankIe-his feet in the hallway
And then he stood in the door-mr
boy.
I started forward with a cry OF
joy-but Jim's face checked me. He
closed the door behind him quietly.
We were alone. but ] didn't dare
go to him. Then he looked at me-
his eyes were ugly and black, his
face grim-blazinS with rage.
ITO Be Continued).