The Washington times., 1922-04-16

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"Oh, l got nothing against you"
well, then, what's caught?
Haven't I been decent to you?
Haven't you been looked after?
And haven't Just told you that
we're going to Paris and on to the
Riviera and that you'll have all the
frocks you want?"
"Yes," said Vera, signing, at
would be lovely. And Jack hasn't
got any money at all except what
he can get out of his father"
Then don't be an idiot"
Il can't help 1t, Godfrey. It's
love-"
Caldecot went up to her, and
seizing the plump arm shook 1t
slightly. Look here, I don't be
lieve you know what sort of a man
l am. Don't you think I'm going
to be played with. II have any
more of this Fll-I1l wiring your
neck"
mo you won't, Geoffrey. Be-
sides, what'll be the good of that?"
"It would stop you making a
fool of yourself. And of me. I'm
not the sort OF man TO have you
lying there talking about some
blighter you picked up on the bus"
You'll have to lump it, I'm
afraid, Geoffrey. oh, l know you
can make a row, but you can't look
me up, and as soon as you're out
of the way I'm going to hop It,"
He was still holding the plump
arm; at the contact of the smooth
xkin, seeing so close the thick,
unsmiling mouth, his rage took an
other turn. He wasn't going to let
a girl like that go. Suddenly throw
ing both arms about her he drew
her close, and while she averted
her head pressed violent kisses
upon her neck and shoulders. She
did not struggle, but lay warm and
limp In his arms, so that at last,
with exultation, he told himself
that he was winning her back. He
lifted up her averted head to kiss
the firm cheeks, and then her lips,
angrily rather than desirously, as
IL to affirm his recovered rights.
Though she did not return his
caresses she did not resist them,
and so at last he let her go, ex-
cept that about her shoulders he
kept one arm.
well" he said, unsteadily, you
silly kid. You know you're a silly
kid. don't you? It's all right be-
twaen Won and me-"
when you've done mauling me
about" said Vera, looking at the
ceiling, "I'n go and wash my face"
"Vera!" cried Caldecot, and the
anger in his voice was now re-
placed by self commiseration.
"Don't say that sort of thing. You
used to like 1t when kissed you"
Suppose l did? i've changed
my mind. I've nothing against you,
Geoffrey. Only I've changed my
mind"
But what have done?"
you haven't done anything"
She hesitated. well, II you want
to know. I'm afraid you're a bit
too ripe for me. Getting sleepy, In
fact"
"You mean
81 don't want to throw 1t up at
you, Godfrey, but I'm twenty and
you're"--
"rm-well, never mind. Any.
how, I'm not old. Not for men,"
Vera smiled with an air of idiotic
rapture. 81 don't say you're old,
but you're more than twice my age.
My boys twenty-three."
But, look here
"Oh, don't let's argue any more,
Geoffrey. We've been good pals,
but you've been sowing 'em for a
long time. Why don't you go and
lead a virtuous life?"\
Vera" murmured Caldecot, now
in an imploring tone, for the con-
sciousness of age was oppressive
As he held this radiant young crea-
ture he had to look away from his
blue-veined hand which lay upon the
firm shoulder, smoother than satin.
Don't say those things. l know
I've been pretty racketty, but II
you'll stick to me I'll run straight.
Don't give me the chuck. II you do,
I'll go to the dogs"