The Washington times., 1920-06-02

humor this morning. Things
seemed to be going her way.
She fattered herself that she was
a diplomatist as she reviewed her
management of Barbaras affairs.
And now she was to have the op-
portunity to manage matters. fur-
ther, as she was to chaperone the
moonlight picnic tomorrow evening.
For breakfast wds scarcely over
before Daisy Greenwood telephoned
requesting Miss Cynthia to serve in
that capacity.
"You shall ride in any car you
wish" the girl added. Tell Bah
that we have succeeded in getting
enough automobiles for the entire
party. l just telephoned to Mr.
Brandon and he accepted my invita-
tion Immediately, and offered his
new car at the same time.
you will go, won't you, dear
lady? We will promise to give you
very little trouble"
Miss Cynthia agreed graciously.
81 shall be delighted to co. she
said. 81 feel honored at being asked
to join you young folk. / like
young people"
That's what Mr.. Brandon said
when I invited him." Daisy COM
mented.
"Oh, one never thinks of him as
anything but young" Cynthia said
quickly. He is much younger than
my brother and myself. for instance
although he and my brother have
always been such friends"
She was glad that her niece was
not within hearing. Barbara had
,,s, IyA hnv he
dust her room-a task that her aunt
insisted that she, and not the maid,
perform every morning.
The girl was still in her room
when Miss Cynthia entered.
81 have just had telephone from
Daisy,Y she announced. 81 told her
you we're busy up here and she said
not to call you down. She simply
wanted to invite me to be chaperone
tomorrow night. She sent word to
you that she has all the cars that
will be needed for the party. and
that Mr.. Brandon is to bring his
new automobile. She was evidently
much pleased. l think she liked
John"
Mist people do" Barbara OBJ
served colorlessly.
Il know one dear child who
does" was the arch rejoinder.
And now, Barbara, l am going
downtown to attend to some errands-
Suppose you get ready and come
with me. There is pretty
,organdie saw at Stuart's on Satur-
day, and l would like to, see how
It suits you, for 1 want you to have
it"
"Oh-tbank your Barbara ex-
claimed, surprised at this generous
suggestion. But, really, Auntie.
do not need any more summer
frocks."
Her aunt checked further protest.
Not a word, my dear!~ Your
uncle and I want you to look pretty.
and you are to have that frock IL
1t fits you"
THANK you" was the meek re-
joinder
"I will be ready in fifteen min
utes. Meet me downstairs then"
the spinster ordered
Left alone, the girl closed the
door. Then she stood still, her
hands pressed to her eyes, after
which she drew Roberts postcard
from her pocket.
"He will mail his letter this
morning. 1 will get II tonight or
tomorrow. How shall answer
it?"
Her lips twitched, but she forced
back her tears.
81 won't think about it," she de-
termined. 81 see my duty--and I
'dare not try to skip It. But what
about Bob7 II I were the only one
who must suffer! But l cannot bear
to think OF his -"
She shook her head impatiently
and called herself "a silly idiot"
'T said I would not think about
IT," she muttered. And here 1 am
doing itl
Ten minutes later Barbara pass
cd Cynthia Paige's door on her
way downstairs Cynthia herself
was all ready for the street. But
before following the girl she softly
crossed the hall and went into her
niecc's room.
Closing and locking the door, she
approached Barbara's desk and
opened the top drawer.
Here lay sheet of paper. the
written aida tnrnoA dnxvv