The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-07-27

a woman I know that isn't better
dressed than I am and 1 even
have to wear Virgies cast-ofc
clothing! Lillian has fifty dollars
a month to spend just as she
likes.
Philip was familiar with Mar
jories way when criticized, of at
lacking in return, and working
herself into a state Of aggrieved
self-pity.
In the stormy interview which
followed, he persisted in asking
her what she proposed to do
about the matter. His calm re-
iteration of the question drove
her into violent fit of sobbing
which left him coldly unmoved.
He had not an idea what to do
about it himself. In the back Of
his head there lay the thought of
another interchangeable ap-
peal to his mother. He continued
grimly to plague his wife with
interrogations because he found a
certain satisfaction in goading her,
and because he truly wanted her
to realize how seriously she had
involved him. But when, driven
to desperation, she Historically
proposed they sell all their new
furniture, rugs, pictures, every
thing the flat contained, and try
boarding, he was taken unawares
and showed the dismay created
by the bare suggestion.
His alarm did not escape his
wife. She instantly fastened upon
the plan in retaliation, urging
that she hated housekeeping,
hated its cares and responsibilities,
hated the dreary routine it in
volved; she asserted that by board
ing they could afford a nurse for
the baby, and voicing this argu-
ment. she Immediately saw more
freedom for herself, and made up
her mind to force Philip to agree
to the sacrifice.
In the end he gave way. The
thought OF borrowing from his
mother was repugnant to him,
and he truly meant it when he
said to himself that anything
would be preferable. When an
alternative was presented, he &C.
cepted it.
The auction Of all the handsome
furnishings they had so happily
bought together took place late in
the fall. Virginia Fisher and Lii.
liam North bought some of the
best pieces. Philip saw his cher.
ished bookcase with the sets of
books he had had SO much pleas
ure in selecting, the Kipling, the
Stevenson and the Slightly rub
bed set of the Encyclopedia Bri-
tanica, pass into the possession
of the Norths and the thumbing
inspection by the man he had
grown SO cordially to dislike. He
and Marjorie found a small family
hotel at the top of the Jones
street hill, and settled down with
few Of their most treasured
possessione, in the combining quar-
tiers OF two rooms.
Silver Lining.
A bright rift in the clouds that
seemed to darken Philips every
outlook was the news Lucy wrote
him Ut her engagement to Wilbur
Lansing. Their selection Of one
another seemed to the girls
brother extremely happy. He
telegraDhcd his enthusiastic con.
CALCULATIONS and was eager that
everyone he knew should rejoice
with him. Marjorie, he was
aware. would be apathetic, but
there were many of his associates
at the office who pleasantly re-
membered Lansing, and to these
persuaded a number of them to
come over to neighboring cafe
after closing hours, and the joint
health Of Lansing and his future
bride was Joyously drunk.
An ardent youth, rejuvenated
and glowing with first love,
greeted him when Wilbur re-
turned to San Francisco. He was
full Of a lovers rapturous praise
of Lucy, and fired with ambition
to make money. He declared
vigorously no clerkship nor
salaried position interested him;
he was after n Job where he
could make good on a commission
basis, and was full of ideas about
the real estate business.
my God, Phil" he cried, work
ing himself up into one Of his
ready enthusiasm, this city's
going to have "a boom pretty soon.
and you only have to make one
big sale in Il year to live like n
prince. j met a chap--a fellow
named Bob Barlow, out In the
Islands. and he used to clean up
ten thousand n year back in New
Jersey.
CTO BE Continued Tomorrow