The Washington herald., 1921-05-03
xCvIu-DIsmLUsIoNMENT


In all her life Nancy never re-
membered being so weary as she
was that night when DR.. Langwell
left her at the door of her own
apartment
He had endeaVored to kiss her
coming home in the car. but she
had laughingly thrust him away
from her, remarking:
Please try TO be original. I've
set myself to a Diogenes mission
I'm looking for the man who won't
feel that he has to kiss every girl
with whom he rides in a taxi"
He had released her instantly. and
preserved a dignified silence during
the remainder of the drive.
Good night. Thanks for
charming evening" she said, hold
ing out her hand at the door of her
apartment.
He touched the tips of her I'm
gers with chill formality and left
her without further adieu.
As she let herself in with the
aid of her latch key. the atmos-
phere of a place in complete dis
order assailed her poignantly.
She entered the sitting room and
switched on the lights. There was
no trace of the Hardings' dinner
guests, but her dressing table was
Uttered with powder papers! There
was an abandoned pun or two: a
crimson lip stick had rolled across
the noor and been tread into one
OF the rugs.
She picked up distastefully and
flung IT into the fireplace. and TAX
ing her handkerchief. tried to brush
away a bit Of the powder that lay
like dust over her dressing table.
There was a slight sound in the
direction OF the couch. and Semi
ramis came crawling out like one
emerging from a cyclone cellar.
"Semmy, darling. does he have to
take to ccver?" murmured Nancy.
gathering the Persian up in her
arms and sinking her chin into his
fur. Never mind. he's going to
have a home again and not have to
hide from wicked little imps.-
There was a light tap on the door
which opened almost Immediately
to reveal Peggy Lewis clad in one
of Eancys negIigees. She was blink
ing sleepily against the light.
Il was just too exhausted for the
drive home, Nancy. knew you
wouldn't mind II I spent the night
here. I'll Just curl up in a corner
of your bed. and you'll never know
I'm there. Whatever made you SO
Later I thought you would get
home in time to see our guests be-
fore they left They were awfuliy
keen to meet the beautiful Mrs. Bur-
rard-"
Nancy quelled her impulse to an
ger. and managed to answer good
humoredly:
You're perfectly welcome as an
this nattery. Go back to bed. you
the couch. I'm too tired to sleep
just now. and I'd only keep you
awake tossing around
Protesting mildly, Peggy did as
she was bid. It seemed not to occur
to her that there was anything odd
in usurping Nancy's room and al
lowing her to make shift as best she
could. The latter was more amused
than resentful. She actually had
become Interested in seeing how far
Peggy Lewis assurance would carry
her.
gown, allowing n TO drop in a heap
on the floor. When she had put on
q negiigee and thrown herself full
length on the couch. she lay there
contemplating the little cleaning
mound OF cloth of silver with a
certain satisfaction.
Her house was a wreck Sher thoughts
were a wreck; ner illusions were a
wreck: even her life was a wreck.
she told herself dispiritedly. The
lovely gown, 50 carelessly tossed on
the floor. was a symbol Of the end
Of her giitterins vision of freedom
She thought life would be 50 new,
50 stimulating without Gerry and
she had found It only ashes.
She wondered IL it was because
she had had a disappointing evening
with DR.. Langwell that the year
which must elapse before Gerry $
return seemed to span eternity.
fcouvrixht la2l- ~ whselsr Syudiosfs Inc }