The Washington times., 1923-06-21

whenever strike a snag. Wen
manage all right, and he's so
generous he'll enjoy collaborat-
ing"
'That'n be splendid for you
BOTH" I gave back with more
feeling than Betty could know.
Somehow this suggestion seemed
to carry the deciding vote. !
liked the idea of having the friend
ship between Betty and Ralph
cemented. 1 felt that there was
a large justice - compensation
even-in giving Ralph a chance
tc grow in friendship with as fine
a woman as Betty Winston. So
went home that evening eager
to discuss the matter with Jim.
"Of course, you must take
vacation" he agreed eagerly. 1T
can't help doing you worlds OF
good. You've worked like a Tro-
jan at so many things. Getting
this place of ours going again
wasn't easy even If you did have
Toms first aid at interior deco
rating. And you've been busy
with Carlotta's marriage. Phoebe's
also been strain. Now that she
feels so fine, Think you're en-
titled to get off from things and
coddle my wife a bit"
$50 you think I'm entitled to a
week of play" / smiled.
"You get me-" Jim cried. And
It's my treat. I'll like buying you
a trip. I'll send you to the most
expensive place you can find"
You're a darlingy' I answered
happily. when do we start?"
"We?" repeated Jim blanlxly.
Aren't you coming? OF course
you're coming" unused.
"Why-no, can't come, dear.
I'm too busy"
But you're in the same en-.
viable position as 1 am as regards
office affairs. I have Betty TO
take charge. And you have Rosa.
You can come" I coaxed.
mo, no. I couldn't do that"
replied Jim with sudden irritabil-
ity. Anyway, the cynics say hus-
band and wife get a vacation
more satisfactorily apart" he
added, lightly.
do you feel that way?" I
gasped."
Where's your sense Of humor?"
demanded Jim. IT just said that
so you wouldn't get an access Of
conscience and feel that you
couldn't go a-tripping without me.
But I can't get away for a week.
I've just been off on a business
trip. tic not fair to leave Rosa
in charge all the time. Not fair
and-not satisfactory"
'You-you might come for q
weekend" / suggested.
Really, my dear, I'm aston
ished at you. thought you'd un-
derstand the Importance Of stay
ing on the job. A woman in bust
ness is supposed to be reason
able at least"
l felt a certain restraint in Jim's
tone. 1t seemed to go gray and
cold of sudden. So I came out
frankly and asked him:
"Jim, was there a little rancor
in your tone because your mind
suddenly reverted to the fact that
1 am in business?"
Jim laughed.
whats the use of going into
that" he asked uneasily. I'm
getting used to the fact that you're
as welded to your business as to
me. It's my one rival, and there's
no use fighting it,"
You haven't any rivals" I said
quietly, wondering If the time had
come to tell Jim frankly of Ralph
Lacy's interest in me. work is
only a sort of-duty. It fills my
days. You fill my life. Every one
knows that. Surely you do also,
dear. Why, the one man who
might wish it weren't so knows
it u.s."
What do you mean-the one
man who might wish it weren't
SOP" demanded Jim.
81 mean Ralph" 1 answered des-
perately, wondering if in my love
for Jim 1 were about to be unfair
to a splendid friend.
Ralph Jim shouted it. What
are you getting at?'
Ralph cares for me. He's your
friend-and mine. He wouldn't do
one thing to sully our friendship
or his ideals. But I'm not seeing
him so much any more because he
cares, and seeing me might hurt
him. But the reason he gives for