The Washington herald., 1921-06-11
CxxxH-BREAKING THE NEWS

tAAAlh-bhEAhlN THE NEWS
Peggy Lewis rang up early the
next morning
Nancy, dear" she cooed over the
phone, do forgive me for waking
you this brutal hour, but I've just
thought of something 1 wanted to
ask you"
Nancy smothered a yawn against
the palm of her hand
81 dare say the vital question is:
Where can you get a georgette
blouse to match your new spring
suit. or, how many curls 1 have in
my permanent wave?"
Peggy giggled appreciatively.
You think I'm always frivolous,
don't you But I'm not a bit so this
morning. I'm very serious. What ]
called to ask is this: How much in
surance have you got on the furni-
ture in your library?"
What "a funny question: Nancy
remarked How should / know?
The whole place is insured. but
Gerry attended to it and I never
thought to ask him. when 1 had a
husband 1 never had to bother with
such stupid details"
"Oh. l just wanted to know" re-
sponded Peggy, airily. Mere matter
of curiosity. You don't happen to
want to sell the furniture, do you?"
How ridiculous! OF course not!
Next to Semiramus that furniture is
my most cherished possession. !
wouldn't part with ii for worlds"
Peggy's giggle had a guilty ring.
Sorry. but you'll have to. old
dearr' she said with obviously as
sumed nonchalance. Your furniture
has become slightly-er-dama
Damaged; What do you mean?'
We'll, you see." Peggy's tone was
elaborately explanatory. Some
thing caught fire in the library yes
terday and when the firemen came,
they were perfect beasts. They
drenched everything with water
so much more damage than the fire
could possibly have DONE"
Nancy groaned.
What next" she asked of heaven.
Peggy. did that incorrigible lit
tie brat of yours set fire to my fin
est mahogany and did my prize
Turkish rug in front of the fireplace
get burned up, too"
We'll, il looks a bit scrubby,"
Peggy admitted. But il really
wasn't Baby's fault. Dad Harding
brohght him home one of those pa
per lanterns that show all sorts of
funny little pictures when you
light a candle inside OF it. OF course,
We never intended him to light it,
but Dad Harding says his thinking
Of doing it for himself shows amaz-
ing ingenuity. We think he'll prob
ably grow up to be an engineer"
70 III N
you let him come into my reach,
promised Nancy. grimly.
"Oh, WELL" Peggy's tone was
huffy. "Of course. well pay you for
your old furniture, so you needn't
be so nasty about it"
THE little darling didn't get hurt
by any chance. did hep asked
Nancy. hopefully.
Not a bit Wasn't it a miracu-
lous escape?
I'm losing my faith in miracles" !"
Nancy replied. Il believe the devil
looks after his own"
Peggy laughed light-heartedly.
You're a dear, Nancy. Whenever
you say horrid things. / know
you're not really angry. Can't
come over to breakfast? The place
here smells all smoky and horrid
and the cook is threatening to
leave il we don't get the mess
cleared up sOon.'
No audacity Of Peggy's could be
great enough to surprise Nancy,
but she was about to refuse to ex-
tend an invitation on the grounds
that she had already breakfsted
when il occurred to her that ii
might be worth while to humor
Peggy if she could recover the card
which had been lost from her van
ity case.
(copyrixht 1921, Wheeler Syndicate, Inc, J