The Washington herald., 1920-05-10

the fact of finding me lunching
tete-a-tete with Travis Lloyd.
But -underneath her apparent
merriment-L could glimpse an an
cry light in her blue eyes. No
doubt Tony had already communi-
Gated TO her the whole trend of our
morning conversation-unex
ed. too.
1 had nothing to regret. 1 told
myself. So l met Alice's look with
caimness.
She didn't Iinger long. 1t seemed
she knew a number of people in the
Ritz, and wished to fit about among
them, lowering a moment at one
table, and then futtering on to the
next
This is a type Of. life that Alice
literally adores. To see and be
seen particularly in the COM
pany of a handsome, attendant cav
alier. Tony could act the escort
charmingly. when he chose.
At an early opportunity 1 made
an excuse to Mr.. Lloyd and slipped
away. 1t seemed as though my
love for Jim had grown SO strong
that l couldn't bear to be away
from him for long.
| Always i dreaded. too, that he
might take some turn for the worse.
My one wish was to be at hand
. ready when needed.
| bought a great bunch OF sweet
smelling Violets at a flower shop
near Jim's home. ] didn't want to
greet him empty-handed.
| The clock was striking three
when 1 entered the wide, cool hall
with it's tesselRted paving.
On the stairs l met Mrs. St Au-
byns.
"oh. Helene dear. what lovely
howsrs"' She stopped and kissed
me. at the same time shifting the
I. fragrance of the violets. I'm glad
you're back. because ! was half
thinking of going out this after
noon. and 1 don't want Jim to be
left alone" She smiled at me af-
fectionately. Would it be too much
to ask you to sit with him."
"Of course not. I'd love to- I
tried to smother down some Of the
apparent Eladness that was rising
Ito my face. I'm a good nurse"
She laughed.
| Jim will heartily corroborste
that statement" She turned and
walked with me upstairs. I'll get
my things on, then. and go of with
an easy mind"
She flung a sidelonE look at me
as we assembled the wide, shallow
steps. as though she would seek to
read my very soul. Varying emo
!tions were included in that glance.
There was appeal in II. as though
she would urge me to be kind TO her
beloved son. There was anxious
inother-love, mixed-so IL seemed TO
me-with a queer little tinge Of
envy. because she guessed Jim cared
for me.
Were our positions reversed. 1
would feel the same as she did, dear.
kind soul! I know ! should have
been Desperately Jealous, in her
shoes
And yet she was so sweet and
kind.
shall I read aloud to him.,
asked, wishing to break the little
silence that had fallen between us.
"Just humor him in whatever he
fancies." came the quiet answer.
He may prefer to talk-or lie and
Idream-"
nodded my assent.
Before ! entered Jim's apartment.
Ichanged my outdoor suit for a soft
nauve georgette that was particu-
Ilarly becoming to my style and coll
lorfng. / powdered my nose, fluffed
Iout my hair pinned a few loose VIC
lets in the corsage Of my frock, and.
gathering my other flowers and my
courage together went to visit
Jim. my Jim!
Your mother has gone out. So
I'm detailed to. play Watchdog this
Afternoon" said. lightly
He was lying on a sofa near the
window, from which vantage-point
Inc could see the big trees OF the
park, dipped in the, glory of their
first gay green.
He turned his head to greet me.
saying, with real pleasure on his
face:
Il thought nothing could be love-
llier than the park, just now. until
you came into the room" His eyes
were bright with admiration. f-You
look the very incarnation of the
ispring."
Thank yon. kind sir" I dipped
him a ridiculous little curtsey, TO
hide my own embarrassment. And
lfhen handed him the big bunch of
Iviolets. Smell these. Don't they
make you think Of the wet earth.
land OF damp. sweet-scented woods.
and growing things-
He buried his face In their frag..
rance And when at last ha rnfned