The Washington herald., 1920-04-03
LX-'what Is Itr-

LAs "nat ~ NV
Heavens, what a temper" tit
tered Alice. I'm surprised at you.
Helene!"
I turned my back on her.
She definitely changed her tone.
Her voice became sweetly wheedling.
Helene. dear, you'll stand by me,
won't you? It's-it's all the fault
of that wretched little spinster,
Mary Higgins. was out this after
noon-unluckily-w she came to
call. She took tea with my hus-
band, and I understand they had a
long confsb. Heaven alone knows
what she told him. There was plen-
ty that she could tell, anyway"
(Alice can be naive on occasion.)
Il owe her good bit OF money.
And she knows"
why don't you ask your hus-
band what she said?" interrupted.
Mary Higgins isn't any one to be
afraid of. surely"
"Oh. isn't she?" cried Alice. shrus,
ging her slim shoulders. That's all
you know! Anyway returned to
find the Higgins woman gone, and
my husband in a thunderous mood.
He was quite sulphurous. Helene"
You don't treat him squarely,
Alice" defended kindly. long
suffering Mr.. Anstruther. You don't
play the game by him. But"-here
l made a real effort-"I'll do my
best to help you out OF your diff
cuities. I'll stand by you"
You darling" Alice kissed me
rapturously.
OF course, there are men who de-
mand nothing more in their wives
than that. Poor fools! The awak-
ening always comes.
My Jim was not among that cat
egory.
You're such splendid pal,
Helene" he'd often say, during the
ecstatic first days of our honey
moon. Even
These words had been the sheerest
music in my ears. Dear Jim! I had
the consolation now of knowing
that-up to our quarrel and sepa-
ration-I had adequately filled the
bill-had given him his hearts de-
sire.
In her marriage, Alice Anstruther
never would have that knowledge.
Still, 1 would stand by Alice. I
had promised her.
Mary Higgins was a born old maid
l-and very catty. It occurred 70
me that in her earlier days she'd
mad designs on the rich and eligible
Mr.. Anstruther. They'd been At
school together. He was consider
ably the senior of his wife-ano
about an age with Mary Higgins.
door. 'A
"CAn.A L.
In my chair. and hoping that. it
The door opened. and Jim's moth
er stepped inside. She looked very
sweet and she was smiling.
My dear, he's doing splendidly.
I'm SO happy about it Ny poor
rose and held out both INV hands
to her. I was very fond of Mrs. St.
Auoyns. insisted on putting her
into the easy chair beside the FIRE.
and knelt down on the hearth-rug
beside her.
7 didn't alarm you, coming up 70
town the way I did?' I asked her.
rather timidly. TT was your right
70 know. Alice thought you ought
not to be told ~
Mrs. Anstruther does not UNDER
AhSt"SI IeeitngS, came the
quick answer. MY dear. Won d,d
the right thing-and 1 thank Won
for It." 'o1
/ raised my head. A flush burn.d
In my cheeks. hoped that she
would put 1t down to the heat OF
the nre, and not read its cause
How-how long will. the conva-
lescence be?'.
It's rather difficult to say" She
sighed little. Then she smiled
He-my son-is really attached 10 |
you. my dear. Today he was ask
ing after you again. I promised |
MIN that he should see you Just for
moment, before he goes to sleep"
AS though she'd read my
thoughts, Jim's mother said:
Tn so glad. my dear, that you're
not engaged to that good |
Ing Tony! i don't want to be un-
charitable. But he isn't worthy of |
any good, girls love. or trust"
1 nodded my agreement.
After a few minutes had licked |
away, she rose. saying:
STANDARD SAVINGS.
n. rr-- y, :. - -