The Washington times., 1921-04-05
and a Poor One.

alone in the world. Sidney did not
love her any more, and she began
to cry again.
The clock In her room chimed .
silvery three. the glaring afternoon
was wearing away. Her head
ached. her face turned. her hands
were icy. She crept up on the bed.
and drew q fluffy covering over
her. and. with one or two long.
childish, sobbing breaths. fell fast
asleep.
A pleasant cracking and snap
ping awakened her, two hours later.
Minna had come In with q tray. had
lighted the fire. q bath was walt
ing. Numbed. dazed. and still head
achy. Patricia stumbled about the
business of dressing. But she was
young. and the hot bath and tho
hot tea worked wonders. Patricia
began to fnd something consoling.
something almost mournfully beau
tiful, in the decisive blow. Perhaps
its actual arrival had not been
harder to bear than the vague and
formless dread of 1t had been.
"Did Mrs. Palmer send you In,
Minna?" she asked, over her second
cup.
"She worried because you didn't
come to lunch." the maid answered.
"And she looked in and seen you
asleep. And when Mr.. Palmer como
in he says you would like fire and
some tea, when you walked up.
And he'd like to see you for .
minute, please"
A SUMMONS.
"why didn't you say so" Pa
tricia exclaimed. smiling. She went
Immediately downstairs. I'm so
sorry to keep you waiting" she said
to Dan, in tho lower hall. "Minna
only this instant told mer'
"This is the Business" Dan
smiled. my new car has come, and
] want to try her. Will you come
along?"
Love i'll" she said aut utomatically.
Then. realizing that of all things
q run in the cold air would be the
most agreeable. she added more
warmly: I'D love It! Are you
taking Beatrice?"
He shook his head. When they
were in the new gray car he added
gravely: Beatrice came in-she
feels terribly. She was crying. and
mother had a pretty hard time with
her.
Poor kid, guess there's no
question about ii now. He told her
that he's going to New York.
Hutchinson, / mean"
"Yes, know" Patricia was
busily tucking robes about her
knees. He told me so. too"
"Confound him. Dan said SIM
ply. A second later all other
sounds were drowned in the uproar
OF the starting engine.
Sunset famed coldly over the
city. as they few along. The park
was full Of riders, Of other cars. of
pedestrians. The air was cold and
heavy. From the felds, when they
were presently skimming between
them, a thick, white mist was ris-
ing. Patricia laughed aloud in the
glorious rush Of the drive. The
speedometer rose from forty miles
to flfty-to f1fty-hve-hfty eight
"'Fraidg" he shouted. and she
saw him grin into his furry collar
as she shouted back. IT love it,"
They were going more slowly and
a cool brief twilight held the world.
when they came back Dan touched
his lights. and a funnel Of bright
ness moved ahead Of them.
And now tell me-" he said, with
a quick glance. "what were you
crying about?"
"Crying?" she stammered child
lishly. She fought for time. In the
utter unexpectedness OF It How
did you know"
Mother went in, and said that
you had been" he answered, run
ming the car slowly now. rs 1t
the same thing?"
''The same thing?
"The same thing that has-has
broken Pansy all up?"
"Not-no, not quite, DAM she
said, very low, a surprising ease
coming into her heart with con-
fdence and sympathy. sidney
and l." she went on. with a little
difficulty, "have had-have had an
understanding for a good many
years. We ended 1t today. That's
all.
HE was silent for perhaps two
minutes. Thank you for telling
me-" he said then. grufrly. And
after another pause he added.
''Nothing-nothing I can dor
Nothing any one can do" she
answered lightly. TIT made me
feel sad" she went on, "for the old
tie went back almost to my little
girl days. But-but think II was
the wisest thing to do"
"Did he take 1. hardr' Dan ask
ed. with a sort of timidity.
LIFE STALE AND FLAT.
The gallantry touched her. But
Patricia was above the pettiness or
the refuge It offered her pride. 1T
came from him." she answered
honestly.
Hang him" Dan said. between
his teeth.
mo, you mustn't say that" she
objected. "It was only fair. Dan.