The Washington herald., 1921-05-28

CXx-LACK OF CONCERN.
Curtis Stanley protested grum-
blingiy against going to his club
that night An the while Nancy gave
him and Maj Desmond supper.
This Is Just like one OF Comics
fool ideasr' he declared There
isn't . grain OF sense In having you
stay hare. In the nrst place and
packing me on to the club It's
not only SHY. but damned incon-
vsnfentt II she's 50 insistent on
the precious proprieties. We could
have Aunt Mary down from mp
Etate. She u the finest demon
ehaperon the world has ever
known
Expecting little of Curtis from
long association with his selfish
ness. Nancy was forced to own her
self surprised and q little Disguised
at his lack Of concern about Con-
ME
Beyond . perfunetory inquiry
concerning her condition, he had
nothing TO say.
Nancy could not refrain from
comment
'T must say that I think you're
rather callous. CurtisI Csnnie is
really desperately ill You don't
seem AZ all alarmed"
Good Lord. what do you expect
me to do-vail and gnash my teeth
and put on sack cloth and ashes?
/ can't do anything for her. She
probably wouldn't let me II could.
Connie always managed for herself
and everyone else I'll bet she'll
reorganize that hospital before she
gets out Of It She'll ten the head
surgeon what she thinks OF him
and the superintendent of nurses
wfll go out and resign when she
recognizes Comics superior knowl-
edge about the profession"
It was dfnicuft for Nancy to re-
strain . smile as she listened to
Stanley's accurate description Of
Connie But she thought 1t rather
hearttess of him. nevertheless.
She wondered II by any chance
Curtis suspected what lay con-
eealed In the diamond studded
trfnket which Connie wore around
her throat; II that, perhaps, ac-
counted for their Indifference to-
ward Zach other. She decided to do
q little adroit questioning after the
fashion Connie would have en-
ployed.
VIII you have some more coffee.
CurtisT she asked NO? Maj.
Desmond-
Tn afraid we're keeping you up
when you are very tired. Mrs Bur-
rard.- said the young offioer. pass
ing hts cup across the table to her.
she made a pretty picture as she
sat IN a big carved chair opposite.
her shining hair and the filmy dra-
perry OF her house gown outlined
against the background of the fire.
light
7 couldn't Sleep she protested.
Besides, need counsel and ad-
vice.
She leaned back IN her chair and
surveyed the two men with as
crafty an expression as she believed
Dr. Langwe1 could assume.
want to send Edith Langweil a
fttie gift You men have good
taste Suggest something"
Desmond played into her hand by
saying:
Mrs. Langwen seems to have
everything that a woman could
want But why not give her a bit
Of jevelry as a keepsake? Women
always like trinkets,N don't they?
They never seem to have enough
Of them"
But what, for instance7 Where
can / get something for a reason
able price7 Curtis, you are always
decking Connie with gems Suggest
something
Stanley grunted- He was getting
sleepy, and the prospect of going
out into the snow was not appeal
ing
Never gave Connie a present.
Tried IL once or twice, and she al
ways said: Whatever did you choose
this for? You know 1 don't like
this sort of thing. why didn't you
give me the money and let me Sc
lect something 1 really wanted?- y
Nancy giggled softly.
How typically wifely that
sounded But Curtis. you forget
that lovely diamond and platinum
locket"
You're dreaming. Come out Of
it!' muttered Stanley. sulkily.
Never gave Connie a locket in my
life"
Nancy had found out what she
wanted to know.