The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1920-10-06
IT. ON MAsoNs dinner for I'm


4 lowed hard upon the unhappy
experience with Virginia In the
motion picture theater. / decided.
however. not 10 tell Jim about II
until the dinner was over.
Jim. as experience has taught me.
Is always upset at tho mere mention
OF Anthony Norrey's name. Whether
II Is because he hates to remember
the days when he was struggling 30
hard for "a place in the world, or
whether the embers OF his jealousy
. are ready TO fan to q blaze, i can't
decide.
But felt IL best not to risk any
discussion that would put Jim I'm a
dangerous mood on tho eve OF a
dinner. where my friends were the
guests OF honor.
on we went therefore, with the
Incident involving Virginia. Carlotta,
and Tony all untold.
In the back OF my mind was the
wish to make our social life center
about some other group than the
one composed OF the Cosbys and the
Pettingills, since they hurt me too
much by making me realize 1t was
Jim they liked, and II was only a
secondary consideration. They made
me jealous and bitter, and in order
to avoid those ugly feelings i felt
i had best avoid Val and Aunt
Mollie,
The incident of their snubbing
me In the shop remained also un-
told. But this / decided to bury
for all time. j wouldn't let myself
tattle. To defend me, Jim would be
compelled to quarrel with people
he liked. Not to defend me meant
q quarrel between us.
1t would make me very happy to
be free to tell Jim all that happens
to me. But life seems to insist on
silences and secrets between those
who love each other so dearly.
The dinner was charming and the
evening passed delightfully."-. one
incident occurred which colored
everything for me. Tom, Irma and
were chatting with the adorable
little old white-haired lady who
Keeps house for Tom-"Sonny,' as
she calls him. Jim and Mr.. Haldane
were deep in a conversation which
seemed to absorb both. Suddenly
Jim called Tom, and few minutes
later he and Mr.. Haldane were
seated on opposite sides of a chess
table.
"Oh, how wonderful of your hus-
band to remember the thing uncle
enjoys most in the world" cried
Irma Warren with great delight.
Not many young men would be SO
thoughtful"
II didn't even know my husband
played chess" I replied carelessly.
Il know he liked cards--
Mrs. Hill put her blue-yeined old
hand over mine gently as IL she
felt the bitterness that was creeping
into my voice"
"None of us know all about the
people we love most" she said
gently.
| looked at her in Amusement
Either she was a witch or the ner'-
BUSINESS to which / always fall prey
when 1 see Jim crouching over a
table in the posture he tales for
all games betrays itself clearly. 1
gathered my faculties for a laugh
ing rejoinder.
IT suppose. then. you don't know
all about your Sonny even today
He surprises me every day with
new kindness, new thoughtfulness,
replied the old lady gravely, and,
turning her faded blue eyes from
me to Irma Warren, she said. my
dear. you were telling me that you
loved linens. I'd be happy to show
YOU those my boy just bought Tor
me. Will you come. Mrs. Harrison
or are YOU going to give sonny the
little tete-a-tete I think he's long
ing for?" ;,
"Tll stay and chat with Tom l
said, wondering why some peopie
knew couldn't have some or THIS
old lady's graciousness in arrans-
ing things to suit herself without
hurting any one else.
There go the two sweetest girls
In the world" remarked Tom, com
ing and sitting next to me. ANA
the way they cotton to each other
is great. The only thing I've ever
seen to equal it is Jim and the old
gentleman. Jimmie sure has way
with him."
"Jim has charm" said, gravely.
MY friends all take him on sight.
I wish had the same happy faculty
of making good with him"
NO MORE FLIRTING.
you made good with me, all
right-on sight" said Tom.
Are you flirting with me?' 1
asked, refusing to take fright as
once / had done at the slightest
round of hidden meaning in Toms
voice.
I'm done with flirting" said Tom
in a tone that sounded like a vow.
Then he jerked himself round to
something else. Same, / told you
once long ago that / am your
friend. More and more l see i really