The Washington times., 1920-06-04
When Hearts Are Trunps
Mary jameson Unwittingly Pains barbara
Paige by Telling Her of Robert Eliiofs
Visit and Learns of BOb's Engagement
III. BY Virginia Terhune Van de Water
BY Virginia Terhune Van de Water.

fade. But before Barbara could
reply her aunt spoke quickly.
you might just as well have
kept Robert longer, Mary, for his
coming when he did was rather In
convenient for US. IL IL had not
been for the fact that he had asked
TO be allowed TO call on his way
TO the train we would have been
able 10 take our drive as early as
we had planned"
"oh-then Robert invited him
self TO call. did he?'
HE certainly did!" Miss Cynthia
answered brusquely, Not, Of
course. that he was TO blame for
that. for he did not know that Mr..
Brandon was dining with us and
taking us motoring afterward. We
had a beautiful drive. Mr.. Bran
don very kindly took Robert as far
as the station--so, after all. We got
off almost as promptly as we hoped
to. You know, / suppose. that John
Brandon has a very handsome new
carr"
"Why. yes-at least, / heard my
father mention it," Mary stammered.
She was uncomfortable and some
what ashamed OF her boast. II mat
ters were as Miss Paige said, her
remarks to Barbara had been very
foolish. II. on the contrary, Bar
bara had wished Robert to come
sooner. IL hardly was kind to sug-
gest that he only came because she
Mary had reminded him that he
must.
Barbara's silence was mystifying.
Mary must say something TO relieve
the awkwardncss of the situation.
Aren't those roses stunning"
she commented, indicating the blos-
SONS in "a garden thA were Just
passing.
The owner of the garden came
down the front steps of her house
and addressed Miss Paige. AS Gym
thia paused for "A moments chat
An Apology.
"Bab," she said in u low voice, II
did not mean to hurt you, really,
dear"
Hurt me-"
The voice uttering the two words
was calm, and the dark eyes were
steady and unpeturbed. IL do not
understand. What do you mean,
Mary"
Only that II had known
IntdH, tHdl
explained to you how he happened
to be at our house to dinner yestcr-
day noon
She got no further, for Barbara's $
sudden laugh checked her.
NY dear Mary, what are you
driving at: Do You fancy that /
own Robert Elliot. or possess any
particular rights in him, that he
should tell me whore he goes or
what he does? Well | do not. nor,
to be frank. do ! want to. He is a
nice chap, of course, and, as you
say, rings rather well.
But because he and | are pleas
ant friends does not mean that I
need know any more about his af-
fairs than he does about mine"
She stopped, her cheeks crimson,
her head high. She was conscious
, of a thrill OF pride in her own spirit.
she had not shown a sign of what
was in her heart
Mary was relieved. Her moment
OF triumph had been brief. but she
had not wounded a girl of whom
she was fond.
Il might have known you did not
care" she said. giving Barbara's
arm an affectionate squeeze. And"
teasinsly, II also might guess some
other things about some one else If
you do not mind"
But do mind" Barbara re-
torted.
Cynthia returning at this instant,
Mary said sood-by and rctraced her
steps, convinced to her own salts
faction that Barbara Paige was las
good as engaged to John Brandon"
60 ne COntinued.J