The Washington times., 1919-11-08
CHAPTER CXCIX.

A T little past ten on the day
~ after my flying trip to visit
Betty, / called Virginia and
asked her to go with me to make
the final selections of rugs and fur
niture and hangings for our new
apartment.
I told myself that / waited until
so late because 1 wanted to leave
the line clear fon Neal. But l knew
perfectly well there was another
reason. I didn't want to get into
an argument with Jim about Nir-
ginia, and Tom Mason would think
of my being back in town again.
The fact remained / was back, and
so 1 might as well get ahead on the
apartment / counted on Virginia's
good breeding to accept whatever
explanation i chose to offer. And
as for TomAthere wouldn't be any
explaining to him, since what he
thought didn't matter.
You came back sooner than you
expected. didn5t you?" was Vir-
ginia's entire comment.
"Yes, L wasn't needed. And I do
so want to get into the new apart
ment." 1 replied
Not even to Virginia did 1 want
TO confess that the coming of An
thony Norreys had driven me away.
1t would make Jim seem petty, and
would further belittle Tony.
Shall / call for you at eleyen?-
asked Virginia amiably.
Please, IL you can make IL 40
soon." i replied.
And then / fell to dressing in a
great hurry, so that need not keep
her waiting. She would know Jim's
taste even in bath towels, and her
own would prove unfailing all the
way from roasting pans to player
pianos. So / felt that this day must
be regular shower of linens and
china and silver and graniteware
az well.
"wee ought to get into the apart
ment by the middle OF next week"
toid virginia as We swung down
the avenue In a taxi almost on the
dot of IL.
scurry, Anne" asked Virginia toll
erantly.
"Well-there's no use in paying
rent for two places at once"
II thought that was it." inter
rupted Virginia smilingIy. Now,
why shouN you care so, since Jim
doesn't?"
TITS so wasteful. We're really
not getting anything for our
money" =
you may not be getting any
thing" said Virginia, thoughtfulIy
But you're giving an impression of
prosperity, Of success. And in Jim's
game that helps tremendously"
That doesn't sound very solid
very conservative. Jeanie. It's just
gambling, isn't it,"
Perhaps" retorted Virginia. But
it's all right If it works Men make
fortunes gambling in stocks, and
nowadays unless you have a for
tune you're just nobody. You
watch that little Cosby woman
climb to place in the best society.
She has money; she'll entertain the
best people, and presto! there you
are"
You mean presto-there' she is!"
l replied. You know, 1 haven't a
social ambition in my makeup,
Jeanne. like a home-and home
life. Riddles and the country for
them TO grow UP in"
Virginia turned and studied me
critically for a moment.
Perhaps you're right" she said
at last. Perhaps there's more hap
ptness that way. But Jim doesn't
see 1t. / really don't, either. Per
haps I'd have been happier IL I'd
been more like you. But Jim's like
me. He isn't simple in his tastes.
He likes beauty and luxury. He
and the Cosbys are after the same
things. They'll travel together for
a while"
"Are you trying to warn me
against Valerie Cosby. Jeanie?" l
asked. You've dragEed-mentioned
her twice in the last few minutes.
Did you notice anything last night"
After ! had said the words ! could
have bitten my tongue out Here
] was revealing to Jim's sister that
i was Jealous of him--that ! didn't
trust him That belittledN Jim-it