Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1923-09-21
Changing Ends
Mind
By DOROTHY DOUGLAS
20 by Mcclure Newspaper syndicats.j


vas addressed to his sister-in-law, hpt
ne had been instructed to glanee
through the mail and send any impF-
tant letters on to South Africa, whnge
she and Johns brother were spending
A few months. ~
He re-read the letter, which WIS
signed by one Enid Mathews. -
= my Dear Mrs. SinclairCAfS
you by any happy chance the Mrs.
Sinclair whom had the pleasure
Of meeting, during the tlrst year
Of the war, at Bournemouthf II
so, l should very much like to re-
new cur acquaintance.
1T has been most difficult to re-
tain friends while sailing back and
forth across the ocean, as much as
l have wanted to, but now I am
settled in a coy London fiat, and
hope you will come and have tea
with me Sunday-you and Mr.. Sim
clair.
II have taken up my life here,
and have made up my mind to
marry an Englishman, purser on
one Of the big liners. have al
ways wanted to locate in London,
and to be not too terribly tied
down by marriage. and the idea Of
having half the time all to myself,
and half to my husband will be
just ideal.
Il think 1t must be a bit Of
trial to have husband about all
the time. In the meantime, do
come in Sunday, am desperately
lonely in this big London. viii
just look for you as my telephone
Is not as yet In.
Sincerely yours,
"ENID MATHEWS"
"Cheery matrimonial ocean for that
poor purser to sail on, should say"
unused John Sinclair. Looks almost
as If he were being married because
of his absence, and for home In Lon
don. However, frankness is a very
desirable characteristic, and Miss Ma
thews seems to have good supply"
He thought over the matter for some
time and then decided to call on the
young lady himself. Since she was
desperately lonely she might welcome
him as tea guest in place Of Helen
and Ned. Anyway, he would risk II.
London was, after all, bit Of a
frost II one happened to be wanting
human companionshlp. Besides. John
Sinclair had a growing curiosity to
meet this Independent type of girl
there was always something breezy
about an individual personality.
He had not changed his mind when
Sunday afternoon arrived, and was
about to dress in his usual careless
tweeds when he suddenly decided on
his topper and black coat. He even
stopped while crossing Plccadlly, to
select few fragrant English violets
for his lapel.
Sinclair was glad afterw ard that he
had discarded the tweeds. He would
have felt very much out of the picture
in such attire.
Ends fiat was exquisite. He had
a moments swift survey Of 1t before
she herself came in. Sinclair hoped
his expression was not too satisfied
and that the unexpected rush of ad-
miratlon was not too marked.
Enid paused on the threshold. There
was questioning in her lovely eyes.
"You are not Mr.. Edward Sinclair"
she said.
Sinclair apol0gized.
mo. / happen to be his brother.
read your letter and" Enid smiled
now and came forward with out
stretched hand. II am glad you came
1T was good Of you" She sank COM
fortably into the big chair beside Sin
clair and he wished he had brought
more vl0lets, and also he condemned
his brother for not having told him
about this girl. He might have known
her seven years and might even--but
now, there was that purser chap"
II trust this purser to whom you
are engaged will not be annoyed at
my having come to see you" he ven
tured.
Enid laughed softly.
81 would not marry a man who was
az narrow as that" she told him.
mo. He will not mlnd-besldes, he
Is no doubt walking the deck with
some lovely girl this very minute"
She dismissed the subject easily,
Sinclair thought, and continued chat
ting Now tell me all about Mr.. and
Mrs. Sinclair. She and promised to
become such good friends, but +
well, am such a gad-about that It Is
difficult to claim these rare friend
ships"
Sinclair had arrived at Ends at
half-past four and 1t was eleven-thirty
when he babe her goodnight at her
door
They had had their tea and chatted
at the Preside. Sinclair had suggest
ed a bite outside and Enid had accept
ed with tIattering smiles.
He stopped to buy the violets and
his heart thumped absurdly as she
nested them against the gray fox fur
at her throat
After light supper he suggested
one Of the delightful concerts for
which London Sundays are famous,
and again he heard nothing save the
soft breathing and occasional low muir
muir Of Ends voice. After that he
found a taxi and told the driver not to
hurry as he drove them home through
the park.
II have never enjoyed Sunday 80
much In all my life," Enid told him,
when In the shade Of her doorway her
hand fingered In his.