The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-02-17
WHEN A GIRL MARRIES
AN ABSORBING SERIAL OF EARLY Welded LIFE
Anne Agrees Finally to Share Betty's Home
With Her and Betty Decides to Work
for Her Living.

UdCk 1ef cu1pIy COIIS0 cup kUlUCu
her arms in front OF her on the
table and looked me sQuarely in
the eyes.
A Plan Proposed.
Have you decided what to do
about me?'' she asked.
I've decided to carry out my
plan Of offering you q job"
replied, parrying her question
with an implied one Of my own.
II need to go to work, don't
II" asked Betty simply. "our
affairs are badly involved. We
haven't much ready cash, have
WEI"
"Your affairs are involved in
Jim's. / don't know how much
you've guessed. I don't know
how much Jeanne has told you,
but I'm working. and making so
Of it. Jirn's down in Mexico try
ing to save his fortune and that
Of the friends who invested
through him. It broke his heart
to think that II he failed, you
folks would go with him."
"And when Jim comes back he
won't have me on his mind-he
won't feel that I'm a pensioner
on his bounty" commented Betty
shrewdly.
cit won't come to that. Jim
will pull through" replied.
Better if he hasn't any extra
burdens" said Betty quietly.
But IL you're not d burden"
mo; I am an asset" I smiled.
"And you've room for me?"
Room and the need" I said.
Virginia wouldn't particularly
approve, would she?' Betty asked
quickly.
Probably not" ! confessed.
"She hated to see me go into
trade She'll loathe seeing me
drag you In
THAT won't matter" Betty re-
piled with amazing conciseness.
'I gave her clearly to understand
that If / couldn't shake off my
daze and the terrible dependence
that's changing me and making a
parasite Of me-I'd go to pieces.
II couldn't stay there and graft
on her and Pat. I forced her to
see 1t. She gave in to my COM
ing home. She saw the wisdoTu Ok
our living together. 1t all ties uD
perfectly. There isn't a loose
thread. I go into business with
you. You come to live with me.
I'm sure it's all right.
"It would be all right II you'd
live with Virginia." began.
Betty shook her head. smiling
at me wistfully and yet with a
certain setness of purpose.
when do l start to work."
she asked.
you'll conner" cried.
"Of course-where would get
the money to pay my rent or to
buy food If 1, didn't?" asked
Betty.
Ready to Work.
That's all our fault" said
duly, beginning to see how many
were the threads binding me to
Betty Winston. You'd have
money anyway If it weren't for
us. Maybe, though, it's a bless
ing you haven't. You'd sit and
think" I added more to myself
than to her.
1--WE won't go into that" Betty
said quietly. "I'll go to work.
I'll get Miss Moss to come and
live with me. And I'll find what
comfort I can in the companion
ship Tony, at least, is free to
give me-"
Miss Moss" I repeated, con-
juring up a picture Of the inef-
fectual little companion of Bet
tvs early days. At the thought
of her chinless round face and
quavering voice and manner, q
wave Of pity for Betty went over
me- At the thought Of how this
arrangement would leave Betty
needing Tony and turning to him
for aid and comfort, q second
wave of pity went over me. This
was for Carlotta.
You're right about my coming
to live with YOU" said. tits
the most practical plan. But to.
night don't see how 1 can stay
tonight. I can't desert Carlotta
like this without a word of expla-
nation"
"IIl go home with you to-
night" Betty said, with simple
assurance that this was the wis
est, kindest and most practical OF
plans. And in the morning I'll
help you explain to Carlotta."
Staring at Betty, wondered If
in all the world there could be a
more impossible situation thar
the one she was conjuring up.
ION second thought, I'll stay
here" said. ell telephone Ber-
tina and ask her to explain TO
Carlotta. We're too tired to trot
out again."
But as I thought of facing Car
lotta tomorrow with an explana-
ton of my seeming desertion,
.-.o5ono5 40 Sho'd Listen RI q word