The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-10-12

His arms were hung Dack across
his eyes. He locked very boyish
and completely relaxed.
I stood looking down at him
for moment. longing to wake
him with a kiss. But I felt it
would be selfish to risk disturb
ing him even by turning on the
light. I found my things in the
dark and crept quietly into the
guest room.
"Anne! Anne"
Jim's voice seemed to. come
through a thick haze. struggled
to throw it off and to answer him.
Again he called me and then l
found myself coming slowly out
of a deep sleep and struggling
up in bed to face Jim, who stood
staring at me across the foot.
board. He was fully dressed and
scowling darlxly as he almost
shouted:
"Ahe you planning to sleep all
morning?"
els it later" I asked vaguely;
then, sleepily remembering my
manners, / added: Good morn
Ing, Jim. I got in so late that I
suppose I've oversight. This
room isn't as light as ours
Fine idea, getting in at ali
hours" grumbled Jim. And
what are you doing here any
way? A nice scare / got when
I woke this morning and you
weren't anywhere to be seen.''
I'm sorry" I murmered con-
tr1tely. 1T got in late and when
I went back to our room you were
sound asleep. didn't want to
turn on the light, and I had on
a new dress I couldn't get out
of in the dark. And anyway I
thought I'd wake you If I went
stirring around"
Very noble, aren't your"
sneered Jim. ~ suppose you're
trying to embarrass me by the
contrast between US. You were
too generous to risk waking me
by undressing and creeping into
your bed across the room from
me. But I come stalking DELHI
erately across the hall and wake
you. Trying to make me feel like
a brute, aren't your"
"Jim," I protested, IT never
thought of such a thing. I was
just explaining
What you're trying to explain
isn't 20 darn important" snapped
Jim What I'd like to know is
where you were and why you
chose to come in at some unholy
hour? Were you cavorting
around with Lacy again?"
"Jim"" 1 gasped. Don't speak
to me in such a tone. 1t isn't
right, and it hurts"
Doing the righteous indigna-
ton stuff, aren't you? But that
doesn't answer my question: .
snapped Jim. Were you with
Lacy or weren't your
"If you'll give me a chance to
battle and dress I'll be glad to
continue this pleasant converse.
ton at the breakfast table?" !
said with a touch of acerbity, and
a stubborn feeling that. Jim was
trying to browbeat me and that ]
wouldn't permit him to do it sue
cessfully.
} Jim turned on his heel and
swung toward the door. When he
got there he turned with a smile
that was little twisted. a.
Evidently you were with
Lacy" he said grimly. And evi.
IDENTIFY for once in your life you've
come to the conclusion that be.
ing with him isn't as-plausible
and perfectly sweet and simple
as you like to make it appear.
So you won't confess
II was with Ralph" an
swered quietly, though with
mounting fury which wouldn't
permit me to add that there were
four others in our party. But
what's so startling about that?
Weren't you with Miss Gregory
The door slammed after Jim's
departing figure. Somehow he'd
managed to put me in the wrong.
I hadn't wanted to whimper about
coming home to keep the engage
ment he'd made with me and find
ing a message that he wouldn' I
he home till late. But I set my
lips in a thin line and determined
that I'd remind him Of it. I knew
he'd claim it was nagging. but
when he insisted on turning the
tables it wasn't possible to ignore
his culpability in the matter,
I dressed hastily, knowing that
Jim was perfectly capable of rush
ing through his breakfast and rae
ing off without waiting for me,
But when l got out to the dining
room he sat there reading his