The Washington herald., 1921-03-27

Z thought how rd hate any English girl
who'd turn down" my darling brother.
After all, reasoned, what were we women
given our much talked about intuitive sense
for If not to help US in just such emergep.
cies?
Ny intuition told me this man was quite all
right, my own sort-the kind I could go
about with in perfect happiness and safety.
Daphne, Of course, would have been horrt
fed at the bare notion. But she was not
there! What was that silly phrase every one
was bandying about three or four yearB agof
o. yes all dressed up and no place to sot-
The two Of us were in exactly that nx. II
might be mad-it might be most awfuIly un-
ladyiike and imprudent, but I'd do lit
Something Of all this must have shown n
self in my face in the bali minute that few
by as he waited for my answer. When
said all right in a breathless sort Of voice
he remarked matter OF factly "Righto.
Now. II you'll just fly into your cloak I'll be
back in three secs with tad. Better leave
a note for the absent sister. 50 she won't be
distracted when she comes home"
And before I'd time to change that mer-
curial mind Of mine he'd disappeared in the
direction Of the elevator.
I was so excited I pulled down half the
things in the closet before finally emerged
triumphantly with Daphne's best evening
wrap, a lovely blue thing. collared in soft
gray fur. And I had just time to scrawl
the hastiest explanation to my sister when
the bell rang and the pleasant British voice
halloed UP the tube.
I didn't care Who said What! There was
nothing to do but go through with it.
The elevator girl. who always talks to me
with the keenest interest, Of the weather and
kindred thrilling subjects. fastened her gim-
let eyes on me as rode down with her. I
could just hear her giving my sister a thor.
ough account Of how I looked as 1 went out
with that tall young gentleman. miss"
She would be sure 20 say that!
He bundled me into a cab with the air Of
having done nothing else all his life. How
miraculously those men shed their three and
four years Of filth and horror over there!
They are marvels. all Of them, with their
renewed zest for life and its good things
felt q glow and pride and genuine patriotic
enthusiasm to think that I. Joyce o'Connor,
should be helping this soldier to enjoy ais
first night Of fun in New York
And We did have q nice time! First It was
the theater. We were q bit late, of COARSE
but 1t was a musical revue, SO II 1id-'t nat
ter. We got in just as eight. pretty girls
were singing some tinkhng tune about love
and moon. You know-the usual thing! I
hadn't seen musical show for a long t,no,
and I loved every inch Of it.
When we came out Capt Risdale sand:
Must dance somewhere, must not we? u
you think your sister will be dreaSf u
Charmed well stop as.we 60 by and Pot ], -
fear to rest"
was determined not to miss one moment
n that glorious evening. Besides. Mad
TaRed IN my note to Daphne. Il had saie
tfst Horace Lane. one of the boys she had
zone to school with, had come to town end
that we had gone stepping" together. I
knew 1t was no good frightening her to seath
~ announcing had trailed or with sn utte-
tt-anser. She would have had every, single
cefcsTnan in the city securing about for me.
Sc, offhandedly. 1 said: IT really don't
think 1hen be frantic We neetxE stop"
s9 that was that, as Lorentine oivays
nyn qt means nothing. but ito 1 Irsfrl
oent1nce to have knocking aboAS.
1t Gas half past by my tiny watch when
L let myself in. very softly. with the latchker
had thoughtfully taken with me- Daphne,
rele and lovely IN her nlac dressing Gown.