The Washington times., 1919-08-18
By Virginia Terhune Van
de Water.
(AuthOF Of many novels and one 0R
the eOuntFy's best-knOWn writer's
Of short stOries.)
CHAPTER xiv.


n ESIREE LEIGHTON was right
when she told herself that
- her chauffeur was timid
about opening the front door to her
guests.
His timidity was not due to diff
dence, as she supposed. II was due
to a fancy that he might be brought
face to face with some one whom
he had met in the old days in Bal
timore.
at is not probable that anyone
I have ever seen before will be on
hand tonight" he reflected as he
walked home to his rooms. But II
such a thing should occur I would
be less likely to be noticed when
am passing food to people than
when open the front door for
them Gee!-some complieationP
Alone in his own room, he smiled
at his predicament. Well. It was
all a part Of the adventure upon
which he had embarked, and, after
all it appealed to his sense Of
humor:
He opened his trunk and drew
forth a dress suit that he had not
worn since before he entered the
service. When he brought his
clothes from Baltimore weeks ago
he had wondered II he would ever
be in a position to wear this suit
again. But it was too good to leave
behind, and a chance to wear Il
might come.
It had come all right, he grinned
to himself. But not the kind Of q
chance ne had imagined.
The clothes were slightly tight
Tor him. He noted with satfsfac-
ton that the vest was not as loose
as Wnen- ne had slipped il on soon
after his return from France. He
was glad Of this, for Il was proof
positive that he was gaining iesh
and regaining strength. He want
ed to do a mans work in the world.
Some Pertinent Question.
The war does not need me now"
he muttered, so have not that in
centive to get well as quickly as
possible. But I do want to tackle
a mans job, and the sooner I get
husky the sooner I will be able TO
be in something besides the chauf-
Touring business. This is TOO easy
a berth for me-easy in one way,
hard in another"
He looked very grave as he stood
lost in thought. IT'S getting a bit
too dangerous for me-" he rnurmur-
ed. If I would keep my peace OF
mind. I'd best quit soon. I never
thought I'd be such a fool. And
yet" his face softening, who could
help it-when ne saw her every
day? Well" Strengthening his
shoulders, Il can try to fight h
down. But IL can't do that, III
Just get away-that's all There's
no use In making myself wretched
thinking Of what might have been.
IL cant be- now. Pm poor, she's
rich That ia itself would settle
the matter even IL 1 had not put
myself where she would never
give me serious thought.
But she's kind to me-periIousI,z
Kind. She could not know what
those words Of hers and that hand
clasp in the cathedral meant. Tbev
made everything look different to
me-"
Then he set his Jaws. "Darned
fool"' he exclaimed. Go and GET
your buffers suit pressed for your
job tonight.
That evening, when he took a final
survey Of himself in his mirror be-
FORE leaving his room, he laughed.
Some transformationp' he told
himself. Il don't look so tre-
mendously like butIer-in spite OF
the black tie and vest that I am
wearing to make my outfit appear
less festive. But neither do I look
much like the comfortable. COM
placent chap who 1eft Baltimore a
couple Of years ago. That fact gives
me courage"
Again the Pendant.
Desiree Leighton had requested
her aunt to act as chaperon for the
little celebration this evening. Mrs