The Washington herald., 1921-03-27
UNLUCKY AT CARDS.

spoissa 90 really nice one for Twelve whole
mcnths..
And this one was nice.
I couldn't have told you se oncs just what
ne was like. knew in a vague sort OF way
that he had crinkly. red-brown hair &nd eyes
the same color. He was quite youns-27 or
as-and the light in our dim little hall told
me he was in evening clothes.
Il am 50 fearfuily sorry to disturb yoq" Re
said in nice British voice. I'm very much
afraid I've got the wrong door, although ga
was the apartment number as remember it.
Does Miss Estelle Gregg still live here7"
liked his voice so well that let ea,se 6
fuIl minute elapse before answered. Che
English have such charming way Of max
ing commonplace words things Of beauty,
haven't theyD
Then, It's the right apartment, I'm quits
sure" told him. but Miss Gregg doesn't
live here any more-hasn't for whole year.
My sister and sublet this place from her
don't know what imp Of garrulity mads
me go on. That was surely the place to smile
with frigid politeness and shut the door on
his shining boot. but I didn't.
She's gone on tour with the Grey DOM
ino' company" I 'chattered on. II believe
It's in Australia right now"
Gloom fell on the young man like a cloak.
Australian he said. in such a disappointed
voice. "on touri o. yes! What rotten iuck!~
he muttered. striking the innocent door frame
with his wicked looking stick.
knew needed no one to tell me it was
a soldiers stick. Harry, Daphne's and my
very own half brother, had the same sort o.
one when he came homo on leave from Can
ada Harry-lying in an unmarked grave in
France!
Something curiously sickening swept owes
me. 1t was awfully silly. but just couldn't
help It leaned against the door and put my
hand over my eyes. What stupidity! The
sight of walking stick To make me sob like
The nice young man was tremendously
disturbed by the exhibition.
Il am sory." he began In . distressed
-ofce.
Invent on. shaking and sobbing and feeling
utterly miserable and a fool, when felt .
hankie, smelling beautifully Of some excellent
tobacco. being pressed into my hands.
He said In the kindest way: Now, II
there's anything I can help possibly. please
tell me. and I'll do 1t"
Somehow that steadied me. felt I'd sim.
ply got to stop trembling In that nonsensicaI
manner. sobbed out something entirely
tnooherent about Harry and the sight Of his
stick reminding me Of my brother and the
lovely old days in Albemarle I told him how
frightfully Daphne and missed him, and
it was partly because Of that we'd come
away from the town where the three Of VI
had grown up 50 happily together. You
never would have thought to hear me beat.
ing out all my troubles In that undignified
fashion, that I'm really a reserved sort OF
person-quite shy, usually.
The young man was The understanding
sort, however.
He did the most astonishing thing
He reached into the pocket of that woolly
ulster Of his and pulled out what I've heard
soldiers call their cold nssat tes"-s1entif
cation disk. you know.
Il don't know whether or not this win
serve as introduction" he began. reddening.
schoolboy fashion. to the very jagged white
scar on hi. forehead. But that's 2ne-if you
ca-e to tsKe my word for t. G. liked him