The Washington times., 1920-12-19

rest another moment without see
ing her Hastily she made her prep
arstions and sped 10 the subway at
Columbus Circle. What would she
ask Grace7 She did not xnow! In
stinctively, however. she kpsw that
her instruments and weapons were
lying ready for uss Inside her heart
and would be infsiliSly ready when
she needed them. She. needed no
preparation. >..ss, Pa
She bought some flowers for
Grace st a florists near the sub
way exit and walked over to her
apartment. Grace was just return
Ing from the Park with her baby
and Adela helped her TO fold and
carry the perambulator up the
stairs. No luxurious elevators
pampered the Inhabitants hera
searchingiy. painstakingly. yet
with infinite tact and art. Adela
chatted lightly Of half a dozen I'M
related topics, until finally unob-
trusively she was able, while seem.
ingly thinking OF something else. to
plant the ingenious question.
Did you see Mr.. West often be-
fore you were married7"
"oh, MOI" laughed Grace, busyinx
herself with her baby. "Mr.
West" she looked up brightly-T
guess he had other interests"
Her tone implied that Adela was
doubtless . large part of those
other interests - which Adela's
heavy heart told her was untrue.
She was silent for .: space. then
she observed:
"Yes, 1 suppose NV York's full
Of fnterests.'"
Grace laughed. but without COM
ment. She had her own reasons for
not pursuing this conversation.
And Adela bitterly told herself that
during the past fortnight she had
been living in s fools paradise Of
her own CREATION,
The following morning, when she
was barely Creased. there appeared
at the door Of her studio not Clar.
ice. but Arthur Clark. His unex-
pected apparition gave her nerves
. shock. She uttered a little cry of
sston''hmsnt n.insisd with pleas
urs. -
"lhe man from home" laughed
Clark with the shy confusion he al
ways felt in the presence Of Adela.
Sure TO turn ups
Come in, Arthur" abe mrr-
INJURED in bewildered relief. I'm
80 glad to see you" Her voice was
vibrant with warm welcome
warmer perhaps than she intended
in the depth of her misery.
That's q good beginning. any
way" the young man laughed. nerv-
ously crushing his hand. He was
q tall. somewhat raw-boned figure
Of a man, brown with outdoor Efe,
square.featured with the honest,
alert LONELINESS OF a western
farmer What brings me here?
That's what you'd like to, ask" he
appended.
I'm glad regardless" Adela an
swered, urging HIN With q gesture
toward a chair. He fingered his
soft straw hat nervonsly and all hts
facial muscles were in q state Of
commotion. as though he were ap-
prehensive of not opp earing at hts
best.
TITS the war" he brought forth
with ill-concealed pride. They
wanted me to come to Washington
to the Department Of Agriculture
there is use now for even a hay.
seed like me-"
How splendid!" cried Adela. II
should think you would be inval-
uable!"
He was thrilled by her enthusi.
asm. His horizon was limited, but
Adela's voice and speech always
seemed to extend It several de-
grees.
81 came by way of New York
Just to see you" he blurted out
with laugh. 81 hope I'm not mop
portune?"
Adela waved the suggestion
aside.
viii you have lunch with me?"
he pressed on with shy boldness
In his honest gray eyes.
With all the pleasure in the
world. Arthur" was Adelas reas-
surfing reply.