The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1922-02-16
BY N. V. Finley.


n RtLLICENT PASFORD'S fea-
WI lures, though not bdauti-
Avn full, were sweet and wom-
anly. Her figure was shapeless
and her hair. though it had won
derful possibilities. was badly ar
ranged. She moved with neither
grace nor charm. Her clothes
were hopelessly unattractive, and
the little wife realized it, and
ionged with all her heart to be
one-half as smart and lovely as
the charming young woman across
the aisle.
AS the train rumbled into the
station, Lefty Leffingwell smiling
ly addressed her wistful-eyed Pull
man nelghbor.
well, we're here at last! I'm
stopping at the Beach Hotel, and
I hope we'll see each other again"
AS she prepared to dress FOR
dinner, Lefty could not forget the
sweet face Of the sad-eyed wife as
she met the indifferent ones or
her well-groomed husband.
The maid laid out her blue din
zee hung Imply on O chair.
"But-why-wher in the name
Of goodness did you get this
dress?" laughed the astonished
Lefty, as she held up a pale blue
silk evening gown made hideous
by panniers and punches Of coarse
lace.
Marie looked skeptical. Aren't
those your bags, madam"
These two aren't" cried the
other in bewilderment." My
pretty new gowns, my shoes, my
jewels.'
Chuckling with good-natured
amusement, Miss Leffingwell re-
tired early. After all, there was
no need for uneasiness. The SIM
ple little wife would return the
things at once. Doubtless she was
more put out than Lefty.
Hastily donning a severe white
linen suit. with a skirt that flared
where Il should have been straight,
she marched out in quest OF her
clothes. She flushed as she met
the frank stares in the lobby.
The hem Of her skirt fell a good
deal below her ankles.
"There goes Miss 1917 said a
masculine voice rather loudly.
Miss 1914, was she? Shed
show them!
That evening she donned the
hateful blue gown. 1t was twelve
inches too long and the sleeves
came to her elbows, but Miss 1914
wore II like a naughty princess.
And the princess was beginning
to enjoy herself.
81 saw our Miss 1914 tonight"
said Richard Fenners, as he perch
ed on the veranda railing. you
know. there's something about
that girl liker'
We'll" said Tom Andrews, who
was the original woman hater,
all YOU have to do to win a wom-
an is to pretend to be cynic
and somewhat OF a brute, say
hateful things. make her loathe
you. and
"Oh, is that so"' thought Lefty
sngrily, not so very far away.
"I can't imagine Miss 1914 be-
ing full OF tricks" defended Fen
ners dreamily.
She's a lady born and bred.
Laugh II you will, ! intend TO
know her better. Did you ever
see such eyes?"
Not since I left New York.
admitted Andrews drolly.
In her willow chair behind a
large palm tree, Lettys heart
seethed with Indignation. How
she hated Tom Andrews! What
egotistic, oberbearing creatures
men were, anyway! There was a
tender spot in her heart for
Fenners, and she absolutely
adored the manner in which he
defended her. but as for that
unnecessary good-looking Andrews
how she loathed him! She ex-
perienced a fierce JOY in wearing
the other woman's clothes now!
In the days that followed, Lefty
saw much OF Richard and Tom.
Richard was her humble slave.
Tom, she observed. held himself
haughtily aloot and looked skep-
teal
Letty's holiday was drawing to
n close. She had had the best
time in her life. She had re-
ceived three proposals, and felt