The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-07-20
BY Virginia Terhune
Van de Water.


and Short Stories.
Copyright. 1929. BY star Company
UIR laughed induigently.
w What a child you are"
AVA he exclaimed. You know
lust about as much OF business
as you did when you were In your
cradle"
She tried to return his smile Of
affectionate amusement.
But" she asked, where is the
money coming from to pay back
your loan?'
"I do not know. But Rankin
assures me that ne does" Muir
replied.
OF course Richard had some
good reasons for asserting that
he would be able to meet the
note he had given Muir. WinI-
fred reminded herself Of this.
She had faith in him. That was
enough.
In the meantime she saw the
young idealist frequently. He
explained to her that, during the
Summer months, business was
SO dun that one could accomplish
little nthe way Of organization.
So he was marking time until the
cool weather arrived.
Then, too, my regular job s.b-
serbia much Of my attention" he
added. ct am pretty strong
but I confess that sometimes
feel the result Of the strain Of
unrenitting work that has kept
up since 1 left school"
You get no vacation this sum-
mer?" she querisd.
L may get q few days off, he
replied. ''I am not sure yet.
You, yourself, are staying in
town all summer"
Yes" she said decidedly, then
supplemented, except when I
90 away for week-ends."
That was the compromise, that
she and her guardian had made.
Muir had suggested her leaving
town for at least q month. She
had objected. But when he had
insisted that she spend several
week-ends out Of the city, his
manner had brooked no refusal.
Thus, 1t came about that the
girl, accompanied by Mrs. Bates,
went to Lake Hopatcong every
Saturday during August and early
September.
The first Of these outings Wini-
fred did not enjoy, for she was a
stranger in the big hotel in which
she took rooms. But, as she be-
came accustomed to her sur
roundinga, she acquired a sense
Of her own Importance as a guest
in a popular resort.
Mrs. Bates effaced herself As
much as possible. Winifred's
meals were served in her own
room. Muir had insisted on this.
ut would be awkward for Mrs.
Bates to eat with you in the pub
lie dining room," he explained.
And a young girl cannot dine
alone in such place. If you
make congenial friends and wish
to take your meals with them,
that is quite another matter"
He was hopelessly Old-fash-
toned, winifred decided. Yet she
was delighted when, on her Sec
ond weekend at Lake Hopatcong,
his name was announced. 1t vas
just after dinner on Saturday
night, and she hurried down
stairs to greet him.
This is wonderful she ex-
claimed. ct did not know you
were coming"
IT was not sure could get
away" he explained. But 1 did,
and motored up"
II wish I had come with you, -
she said wistfully.
At will take you and Mrs.
Bates back on Monday morning, -
he promised.
Sunday morning was spent in
walking, that afternoon in driving.
Mrs. Bates was told that she might
do as she pleased. Muir and the
girl ate together in the big dining
room.
"A bridal couple"' someone muir
INJURED as the pair went to their
table on Sunday night.
Muir and Winifred heard the
comment. The girl flushed, the
man frowned.
IT am sorry, dear" he said later
that my presence has caused re-
mark. Try not to mind"
"Why should 1 mind?" she
laughed. LET them talk! Why
look so glum over the idea Don
aid? Would it be so dreadful II
what they said were true?
TT would be very dreadful Tor