The Washington herald., 1920-09-08
Vomans Ideal Man. and Human Variety Compared By Dorothy Dix
The Marriage Mill
A BLOW TO ROMANCE.
By Mildred K. BdrbOIr
Copyright, 1920, by The Wheeler
Syndicate, Incl

Mrs. Osborne, in charming
morning frock, and Jane Wardwell,
In the inevitable beribboned and
soiied lace dressing sacque, were
seated on the veranda when Alison
returned there from her chat with
Gwen Parker.
Their greeting of Lawrence's
bride was not overly enthusiastic.
You did sot stay long" re-
| marked Mrs. Osborne after Alison
had dutifully deposited a kiss on
her cool cheek.
She couldn't do without Laurie.
1 suspect" remarked Jane slyIy.
Some perverse streak in Alison
made her resent the implication.
MY mother wished to return and
I naturally accompanied her, since
| IL was to see her that l went away"
she answered cOldly.
Il trust. your mother is quite
WELL" murmured Mrs. Osborne po-
litely. Did Miss Wales return with
you?"
mo. Cousin Barbafa has gone on
to California. She has not yet for
given me for marrying" Alison
could not resist adding.
Jane snorted.
what has she got against Laurie,
I'd like to know? He's entirely too
good" She broke of abruptly
and flushed.
Alison did not miss the inference
of the unfinished sentence and she
too flushed.
Laurie tells me that you are TAX
ing an apartment this fall mur-
INJURED Mrs. Osborne tactfully.
Alison frightened.
"Yes-st the new place-Maple-
wood Courts" she answered, III
rather thrilled with the idea"
They are frightfully expensive, I
hear" commented Jane, picking up
a bit of embroidery and beginning
to stitch. and I'm sure they will
be cold this winter; it's such an eX-
posed corner"
But there's the loveliest fireplace
in the living room" Alison persisted
enthusiastically, and our whole
apartment has d southern and west
ern exposure. A place can never be
cold that has the sun all day"
There's very little warmth in
winter sunlight returned Jane
skeptically, Il guess you'd better
get out Laurie's heavy underwear
again this year, Alice"
ItEndpS II "OulO Dt Wise. a.
scented Laurie's mother. But he al
ways makes such a fuss about it"
Il should think he would" cried
Alison Indignantly. She looked at
the two placid women in absolute
increduIity You don't mean to
say that Larry ever wore-wore-"
She broke off. conscious that she
was being absurdly melOdramatic.
but the matter Of Osbornc's heavy
underwear was not a trivial thing
to her: it was the swapping Of an
other link in the chain that bound
her to romance. She was moved to
hysterical laughter
4 cant help It," she spolOgized to
the amazed women a : she wiped her
eyes. but the vision Of big. strons
Larry in swaddling clothes is too
awfully funny"
Jane shifted.
IF YOU ever had to nurse Larry
| through touch Of Erippe you
wouldn't think it funny il he took
! bit Of care Of himself"
! Has he-has he always worn
| heavy clothing in winter" ventUrrd
/ the bride.
Not since he was in his teens. hut
his mother and l always get it out
/ for him" said Jane placidIy. We
feel that we've done our duty and
We can't make him wear IT"
NO. No I suppose you can't"
murmurcd Alison thOuEhtfuIly.
! Mrs. Osborne changed the subject
with startling suddenness.
J ALLISON. l saw you talking to Miss
I Parker at the gate n few minutes
ago II I were you would quietly
! drop the acquaintance.