The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-11-09
BY Ann Isle,
whose Serials Of Married Life Have
Won . Big Popular Success.
Copyright. 1898, king Features
SYuofDAfa mr.

y -.
copyright. 1928, King Features
Syndicate. Inc.1
.HN UR COMMITTEE meets
every night at Betty
Winston's to work on
the advertising for the shipping
corporations campaign. It starts
next week. And each evening
when we do a lot Of good work I
have the feeling Of power and sue
cess that must be like what you
experience when you look At your
life and feel you've made q sue
cess of it-that you have. every
thing"
Mabel eyed me shrewdly. But
for, the moment she said nothing.
Now we've started on our old
congenial topic business, do sit
down again and let's talk" !
urged. ''I can speak so freely to
you, Mabel. I've always felt It IL
natural to express myself without
reservation to you.''
"I've taken too much Of your
time now" said Mabel. 1.-THE
whole afternoons gone
"No use bothering to work
then" I said easily. I'll be called
for to go to the meeting in q while
and it would be silky to start some.
thing can't finish. Our visit IL q
stimulation to which I feel en-
titled. It's such ages since we've
talked"
"It Is comfortable to be with
you," confessed Mabel, sinking
into a chair with the first sign OF
relaxation I'd seen her show.
FRIENDLY AMENITIES.
''Don't think fail to appreciate
your coming-and waiting and
taking no offense at the pride that
wouldn't accept your offer to
help" I said warmly. We've
always been wonderful pals-in
our way
Mabel smiled.
'sWe're both reserved" she said
iudiciously. "I've never known
any more about your feelings and
attitudes than you've chosen to
tell me. And I appreciate your
confiding in me about this ship
ping corporation. I suppose It is
a confidence?"
''It is" I smiled. "And there
are other things I'd tell you If !.
weren't so eager to have you tell
me about yourself. You rushed
off and got married. You raced
off on a honeymoon. And now
you come back and start talking
business as if there were nothing
else in the world could think
about. But I'm as romantic as
any lily of the field. Do tell me
about-everything
There's nothing to tell" said
Mabel evasively.
"Why, you blessed old hypo-
critic, there must be-" I insisted
leaning over and helping myself
to one of her hands.
At first it remained cold and
unresponsive in my clasp. Then
I felt Mabel's fingers twining
about mine. Suddenly they gave
back pressure for pressure.
smiled at Mabel and sighed con-
tentedly.
"This seems like old times"
IT wish it were old times"
burst from Mabers lips.
AS if her exclamation had I'm
sealed her lips she began to speak,
and the words came with q rush
Of pent-up passion.
"Let me help you, Anne. can
see by your face that you're under
strain I want to have some
thing to interest me. Your strain
is only a business crisis. Let me
tide you over. You always tried
to tide me over-other things.
I've come to the place where you
can't help me now. But this you
can do-you can let my friendship
bring you something. I-haven'e
brought myself much. I'm no use
to anyone. Don't refuse to let me
be Of use to you"
''Ill let my friend Mabel do for
me whatever she wants." said
quietly. "It was the icy and snoh-
bish Mrs. Bonbright Buchanan
whose interference I couldn't
brook"
Mabel leaned over and set my
hand against her burning fore
head.
SHAME AND HUMILIATION.
Mrs. Bonbright Buchanan"
she whispered. Annette whole
city's talking about us. I thought
you knew. didn't want your
pity forced. on me. He's gone
back to the old life-to the things
the women who interested him
before he married me. I'm on the
fringe of his life. I've all the
money I want. I ought to be con-
tented in the haven I've found.