The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1919-08-12
When a Girl Marries
ROMANCE OF EARLY Welded LIFE
Pat Dalton Warns Anne Against Dick
. West as a Friend for Phoebe and
Learns He Is Jim's Partner

I'd like a taxi-and IL you do mind,
1 shan't mind going home alone"
Another brief pause and then
Tom protested. Somehow it sound
ed a little hollow, and 1 found my
self rejoicing that he wasn't going
to take me home-despite Jims
commission"
ITS all right. your being with
me?" asked Pat anxiously, when
finally our party broke up ten min
utes later.
"AIl right?'' I echoed, stupidity.
at won't cost you-it doesn't hurt
-Jeahie won't mind!' Pat brought
out stumblingly.
mo, she won't. / asked her" I
replied with the frankness ! thought
would hurt Pat less than any eva
sion Of the absolute truth.
II came to me as I spoke that 1
didn't want TO hurt Pat. In spite Of
my affection for Virginia. in spite
of my suspicion that he caused her
a great deal OF unhappiness, in spite
OF my fear that there was much of
weakness in Pat Dalton, found
myself unwilling to cause him any
hurt ] wanted to mother" him.
There are men like that I've known
men whom women instinctively
try to protect even from themselves.
/ wonder IL that quality can have
been a contributing cause to the
drifting apart of Pat and Virginia.
you asked herr" Pat repeated
and laughed a bit unsteadfly. then
that's all right. I'm glad Jeanie
doesn't want to cut me of your
list, Mrs. Jimmie. Somehow ! want
l. 81 H.
price of her friendship. II il ever
comes to choosing between US, take
her"
cit won't come to- began, but
Pat interrupted.
''Still, IL ever you must drop one
Of US. make it Pat Dalton. Prom
Use! Promise you'll stick to jeanne
as long as she'll let you! Promisew
Il promise" I replied, trying to
laugh it or lightly even while I
wondered uneasily If ever it would
come to a choice.
An Understanding.
"All right-that's understood; and
IL you ever cut me dead, / won't
have the law on you for it.
Now, I'd like your permission to
butt right into the midst Of Har-
risonia, Mrs. Jimmie"
You may fire when ready. Grid
ley ] replied lightly, but with
heavy heart getting ready, for it
knew not what revelations.
Its about Phoebe" said Pat-and
my heart took an inexplicable up
ward leap.
"Phoebe?" I said curiousIy.
Il don't like the folks she's trav-
cling around with. 1 don't like the
places they take her. She's hitting
1t up on high, that nice little
Phoebe kid: and I'd like to see you
slow her down."
What do you mean-that sounds
pretty serious. Mr.. Dalton"
ut is pretty serious when a
youngster like Phoebe travels
around with a man like Richard
West night after night" said Pat,
earnestly.
"Dick Westr' cried, surely you
don't mean that?"
Il do. He's not the right sort for
Phoebe to know. I've been a min
ing man out West myself. Mrs.
Jimmie-and 1 know Vests dance
hall reputation. He won't do for
little Phoebe"
"Are you sure?' I repeated in q
within myself to withhold the in
formation that Dick West was Jim's
partner.
Sure" repeated Pat grimIy. 'Td
be glad for the prodiEal to repent IL
he wanted 10. But West is I'D to
his old tricks again. Sneaking in
at the back door of a Chinese dance
hall and dragging a nice girl, who
thinks it's a all a lark, near the
smell Of opium-and worse"
What can we dog" I cried.
stop IL. Get Phoebe away from
the bunch she's travelling with
West and that little cat, Envy Ma
son, and Sheldon Blake. A danger
Gus crowd for Phoebe. Mrs. Jimmie.
and a dangerous pace they're hit
ting"
But what can we do?" 7 said.
taking Pat right into partnership
with me. '"Jim likes Envy and
Sheldon-and Dick West is his
partner"
His partner" repeated Pat.
To he Continued