The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-01-23

me Tar from mirthfui. Manuelo
Ortiz might have been Of real
service IN Strengthening out Jirn's
affairs. but he was So intent on
] serving Rosa that nothing which
didn't relate directly to her could
set his attention. And now Toni
Instead Of seeking me ont Tor )
discussion Of his interests Or
mine, he was dragging me- into
the heart Of the thing on which,
he was bent.
With . wry little smile al the
way things are arranged Ii
world where / had no one to
count on IN the hour when. Tor
JiIn's sake, ! most needed some
one. went out to join TON.
Amnsingly. from one point 81
view. the erstwhfIe diIasory Tom
was pacing up and down the 81.
fice - II he could hardly bear
se6ond's delay. He hurried mo
down the stairs and into wait.
Ing taxi and 70 to the club. It
was All II such q GREATNESS WhirI
]. there Was time for little n1Oro
than Toms declaration that he
hoped was as well satisfied with
the chaperones he'd provided -
with the one ia suggested.
Warm Errefin0s & 'sss
"ChaperonsF' said blanlly.
oh. yes: Of c0urseg'
'.It really won't do Tor me u
be taking even my best friends :
wife out to dinner, z said Tom
snugly. 'eYon were right ID your
attitude when you wouldn't even
lunch with me tlnchaperoned. z
'But Z didn't know you them
I said, forbearing to add. '.nor
trust you" $3.50
"Of course you didn't. / didn't
even know myself. But now that
you understand how much I care
for old Jimnie you might easily
enough waive formality ana dine
with me. Only now I have to
see things through Trnnh's eyes
and also from the viewpoint Of
old Loren Hatdane. He approves
OF you. His approval OF 1ns q
due to 60 up q notch when he !
observes our friendship and sees
just how free It is from any
modern philandering element"
''Oh. Toni" cried. II you
expect to win Loren Haldane's
regard it must be on an honest
basis. He's fine and high-mipded.
And he knows. the difference be-
tween what's called proper and
what Is really right. !" u
Here we. arey' said Tom with
no abatement of the elaborate
smugness with which he was
coating over his personality 80 II
was hardly recognizable.
Mr.. Haldane and Irma Warren
were waiting for US In. the club.
Their greetings were 80 warm
and simple that I found my irri.
tation smoothed out without leav-
ing a wrinkle In my mental
placidity. And like q flash 4
came to me that this fine old
gentleman might be sent by
what some folks like to call
Fate" to help me with my
problem.
AS we sat down to our table,
Mr.. Haldane turned to me with
something almost wistfuI in his
manner.
TITS q great JOY to an old man
like me to find that the young
people are willing to have him
along" he said. -
willing, sir7'' interrupted Tom
a shade too emplaticaIiy for dell.
cacy. Proud, II the wordr'
Irna beamed. It was plain
that she felt her 'boys" were get
ting on famously. But ] detected
a sense Of weighing and finding
wanting In the faGt that Il was
again to me Loren Haldano made
his reply.
.eYou young people ere very
charming" he remarked. "Bnt
when Q man 81 90 old tlaa& 10
has to retire from active part3s
cipation. In his life work he's IKE
" to be dead weight at partieAse
''You don't mean ycuPre laying
down the reins ct HaldAno8
cried. going straight 20 the main
issue az I felt Mr.. HklAAMe
wished. =
'I'm giving them into eAyaA1s
hands. Tomorrow night you muse
dine with me- His eyes 0Weve
the board. making his inv1tRt1nms
inclusive. ''The dinner w1n %
to celebrate q double event. tA0
return Of my young fr1euA Oa1s
Booth, and his bride-and h1g tn
ing over Of 'Haldane'E."
felt nay breath catch IA my
throat. dared mot look at TOM
So this IL how he's - meet
Daisy Condon' again.
WO Ro Continued Tdmo9EOMl