Washington telegraph., 1921-04-08

literations that go with the back row
Of the chorus
"Front row." Vivienne defended
prom~tly, but unsmlling. Her lips
twltched down at the corners. AT
least, II was front row"
81 know" said Mr.. Randolph.
you've been fired. I heard what
Beamer said to you. How long have
you known that sna,eT
"Not very long" she answered. "He
got me on, and I suppose be got me
nn" She drew long breath and
turned appealing eyes to Randolph.
please" she said, don't let's talk
about him. want so to be happy for
few minutes. I love the park at
night with It's border Of lights. Let's
play a game"
"'A gameT" said Randolph doubt
fully
"Yes. Wen guess which is Central
Park West and which is One Hundred
and Tenth street and which is the ave-
nue.. II is not as easy as YOU think
after you've been going round a while.
Tn feeling d-dizzy a-already."
"YOu are" exclaimed Mr.. Randolph.
well, let me tell you It isn't from
buzzlng round a two-mile circuit
What did you have for dlnner?"
Miss Vivlenne shut her lips tight.
"Won't you please play my gamer
she asked family.
Mr.. Randolph frowned as though
considering the subject very seriously.
but the matter that held his attention
was not the proposed guessing-match.
That would not have been fair nor
amusing, as the headlights Of his own
very comfortable apartment blnket
at him every time they came to Fifty
ninth street He was iustifying to
himself very questionable move. He
wished TO feed this stray damsel and
at the same time, talk to her with
purpose. He could not see himself
doing ii in a cabaret and everv hotel
supper room had already become one
Of those things. He came to decision
and spoke
an take a hand in your game all
right, but not just as you think. Do
you-would you trust me?"
Immediately the girl was on her
guard. She looked into his face and
read II.
81 would never have Thought of not
trusting You If you hadn't asked that
old, old trap question:" she said
gravely.
Forget that I asked it," said Mr..
Randolph promptly. and leaned out to
give the driver his address. A thin
Tipped and weary scorn was still on
/ that individuals face when he drew
lup before Mr.. Randolph's abode and
honked three times derisively to the
world in general as seen from the
front OF a taxi.
II k@kVait,r said Mr. Randolph 10 the
iehu, as he handed OUT the girl. She
paused with one foot halfway to the
curb, but that single word directing
anything as expensive as a taxi tc
stand bv reassured her
Randolph preceded her to show the
way and turn on lights He never
looked back TO see If she followed and
this implied trust in herself seemed TO
drag her after him up the single flight
of stairs that led to his rooms.
"Old-fashioned but cozy" he said,
as he applied a latch-key and opened
a door thar gave directly on a large
square sitting room. u hate elevators
In n place You call home"
In an open CRATE was a dying wood
FIRE. He proceeded to poke and feed
II at once. saying over his shoulder:
'Slt down anywhere, viii your
Facing the fire was a deep and much
worn leathern couch, with a pedestal
at encll end carrying shaded lamps.
They were the only ones he had light
ed and their glow was so subdued that
it blended with that Of the fire without
fighting It. The girl chose to seat her
self stifily in a corner If this couch.
Mr.. Randolph fookel at her rigid
pose with marked d'sapproyal. but
said nothing. Having rejuvenated the
fire till it leaped merIily TO an attack
on the fresh backlog, he left the room
and was absent for a considerable
time. When he returned, it was to
place small table before his guest,
and then he fetched a tray well load
ell with those things which grace in
perpctulty healthy bachelors mrdeT.
He drew up a chair for himself and,
With an inviting nod, started to eat a
great deal and very rapidly.
Get in on the lunch while there's
time" he admonished. 81 warn yeu
there's nothing more in the house,
The girl gave Rim grateful look
ard proceeded 10 fill herself WITH the
most sustaining food within Feach.
She did not fall to note that there
was nothing to drink but water. When
they could eat no more, Mr.. Randolph
removed the table. ana then seated
himself In the opposite corner Of the
couch.
'You don't seem to be at ease here, y
he said presently. III you think yOu1l
he more comfortable. We can go down
and sit in the cab. I want to talk tC
you"