The Washington times., 1921-02-10

VYyHEN the rapping on tho door
w sounded on my eonseioos-
mes. too. fell back from
the grip OF Jim's hands on my
shoulders.
"Ill 20. dear" / said. starting TO
make good by words.
Let 'em knock" nutecred Jim
9runly. going over To the smoking
stand and starting TO stun tobacco
into his I&pe.
But 4, knowing this was JUST his
way of iotting on steam. PAID no
attention to his suggestion ana
opened the door.
Hedwig stood there waiting.
.Mrs. Harrison would like tot
speak 10 you, ma'aIn," she said.
"Now what can shs want OF mc?'
1 thought nervously, forgetting fors
an instant that l had asked BerthA
TO have her call me,
/ turned to tell Jim that I'd been
summoned TO the telephone, but he
was limping up and down the room
putting at his pipe In the same stac-
cato rhythm. 80 l slipped out With
out disturbing him.
In response to my greeting, VIII
ginia cried in voice halfway pe-
tween her new sweetness ana her
old arrogance: d.
Anne. OF course. you may have
Bertha tomorrow il you need her.
But why should you be 1iinnonins
my housekeeper. to town"
THE latter part of her words--the
afrogance-.forced my reply. But
no sooner was it out that ] re-
gretted it-regretted 1t for two rea-
sons.
II am packing. Jeanie. Getting
Jim off for q trip in great hurry;
1 need some one who is dependable
and Ieyei-headcd 10 help rae.
"WelI, I declared. SO you keep
two maids. neither OF whom is de-
pendable and leyeI -headodT' asked
Virginia, in a tone ! might have.
resented IL my troubles hadn't been
too big TO permit paying attention
TO mere mood.
SWITCHING ~rHE SUBJECT.
In the midst Of my grief and un-
/ certainty about Jim's Affairs. Ber-
tha's worry over Lyons and their
difficulties which We're interviewer
with our own troubles, seemed far
more important than any mood into
which Virginia might fall or any
conduct that mood might create
: I'm so sorry Jeanie. Bur
really need Bertha. "A shouldn't
have asked ner for myself need
her to help me get Jim's affairs IN
order
"Of course. dear" Virginia eN-
claimed. herisweet self once more,
II was only teasing when fused
a bit. You're welcome to Bertha,
as I've told her. and I've even sug-
gcsted that she stay the night. j
thought maybe nice friendly way
I for YOU to fee her would be TO
send her and Lyons to the theater'
.Yes. it would. ] began. tenta-
lively. Then rush Of shocked
revelation brought to me the reali-
zation that people who were mort
gagged to the hilt and facing ruin
couldn't manage theater ticket tips.
So l switched the conversation
..Jeanie, did you hear me say that
Jim's going away? You don't seem
to be showing the proper sisteriy
regret"
At the end of the sentence
caught my breath. Possibly Jim
didn't want even Jeanie informed
of his trip south. But I was re-
assured in the next instant, for
Jim's voice sounded from the shad-
ows back of me in the dimly-light-
ed room.
"Taiking 10 Jeanie evidently. Let
me have word with her when
you've finished. will your VI.
'In minute, i flung at Jim,
then to Jeanic. Here's brother
ready to butt in on my chats with
his Jeahie. as usual. Thank you for
not minding the wayxI took you for
granted about bertha, and now
good night Here's Jimr
"Hlo, Jeanie," said jim II heaed
Anne telling you that I'm off for
trip. GUESS this will have to be