The Washington herald., 1920-02-07

woman. from the day of her mar
riage with the well-to-do Mr.. An
struther, of Anstruther Lodge, up
to the present time.
"Oh, don't look so startled" she
said coolly. the house of An
struther isn't going bankrupt yet!
But my husband will make no end
of a fuss IL he finds out about my
card debts. Tony and l lost thirty
pounds last night. Besides, owe
forty to that horrid little spinster.
Mary Higgins. She's been poster
ing me to death for ages. saying
she's hard up. and must have the
money. l invited her down to the
week END. hoping to stave off the
I evil day. But she's quite adamant,
Unless l pay her quickly she'll go
and tell my husband. And then
| the fat will be in the fire.
But. Alice. why associate with such
people? Your husbands worth fifty of
| that crowd. Why not go to him and
| make clean breast, and let him set
tie up. and"
she interrupted me with shrill
laugh that wasn't pretty.
And then he'd make me swear I'd
! never touch a card again! No. Helene,
don't preach 10 me, / asked you down
here for your own best interest l
wanted to give you a fair chance with
TraYis Lloyd. And this Is all the
thanks l get. a lecture"
1 felt hugely uncomfortable. 1t
seemed to me as though I were here
or false pretenses! l had come down
to investigate things about my hus
band. Jim St Aubyns-and here was
|, already involved in all manner OF
| unpleasing situations!
please don't say another woro
about Mr.. Travis Lloyd" NV voice
was cold. "As for lending you fifty
pounds, Alice, I haven't got the
money. If twenty would be of any
Irse. you cah have it"
Alice tossed her head. She evil
IDENTIFY believed that / was stingy. :
"oh, please don't worry yourself,
1 daresay II find ways!"
She exited, leaving a much snub-
bed guest behind her!
Breakfast was a prolonged affair at
Thorny Grange. The guests descended
at what hour they chose. Our host
himself rose early. 1t was his custom
to take brisk walk before the morn
ing meal
"Ugh!" Isn't it chilly?" shiyered
Alice, warming her pretty, mucb-rinr-
ed hands at the cracking wood fire In
the breakfast room. II hate to appear
before the day is properly warmed ~
She flung coqIettish glance at
Tony. who was helping himself to kid
neys and bacon. That young man made
some absurd rejoinder, to the effect
that Alice's presence was all the sum
light he required
Then. catching sight Of me, he
flushed.
"Oh, didn't see you, Helene" He
semed quie disconnected. Indeed, the
dual role of swain to a gay young
spinster and to a coy married woman
must be difficult to mafntain! "You
| look wonderfully fresh this morning.
l curtsied. laughing.
IF Alice is the sun, then leS me he
| the morning devil" For some un-
known reason the weight Of my heart
was lighter today.
/ Alice turned her eyes on both Of US.
They held that innocent -baby-stare
which Is so often the forerunner OF
! storms.
Don't forget that the sun dispels
| the morning dew" she observed, pout.
ing a little.
! Tony laughed outright
Bravo. Alice! i really didn't give
| you credit for such repartee"
| Alice bit her lip. Tony's remarH
was not entirely tactful. But /, per.
sonally. credit Alice with more brains
than do her friends. For instance
I am sure that Alice could be dan
gerous. Stupid people may be an.
noying, but they are seldom danger.
| Gus.