The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-09-11

though It was Impossible TO Feel at
ease among her friends. He &C.
cepted one or two Of her invita-
tons to formal dinners, because
she made a point of it, but he
found the long evenings insuffer-
able. He tried to talk, to listen, to
smile and make himself agreeable,
but it was OF no use. He was
convinced he was bore, and con-
stantly suspected the women
Thought him a fool. The few min.
utes he was permitted to loiter
over his cigar and sip his coffee
with the men at the end Of the
long-drawn-out meal were all he
enjoyed.
Nor did Wilbur seem to get much
pleasure out Of these affairs.
Philip presumed he endured them
for Lucy's sake. He would sit
smoking his cheap cigars, one
after another, emptying his wine
glass freely, fidgeting in his
chair, playing with knives, forks
and spoons. making little wit
messes out OF his cigar esh.
Philip thought him high-strung,
nervous: his eyes were blood-shot;
he looked picked and lean; q
bit of the wrapper from his
cigar frequently stuck in tho
corner of his mouth; he drop
ped ashes In his lap and sometimes
spilled his food. Philip could
guess what pressure he was I'M
der. during these ,days-pressurc
Of worry and fear. Wilbur had
many irons in the fire. His per-
sonal investments were numer-
GUS, and besides 1t was costing
him a great deal to live. Lucy
spent money with little considero-
ton. She kept three servants;
she entertained constantly; she
exercised no curb upon the selec-
ton Of her personal apparel; she
maintained an automobile she
drove herself: she was begging
Wilbur for q limousine and a
chauffeur. Philip did not know
how his partner managed it.
Always Welcome.
After one Of his sisters opp-es:
sive dinners. Philip would turn
to the peacefulness Of the Berke-
ley hills with a grateful sense Of
satisfaction. It was a delight to
be welcomed by Mrs. Crotch.
berg. She always made a great
fuss over him: she would have
an excellent dinner ready; she
would make him comfortable and
contented.
Even as he descended from the
train at the Berkeley station, he
invariably experienced a feeling
OF relief. The turmoil Of the ash.
begrimed city with it's gusty
winds. and incinerator smell that
still chung to it. was left behind.
The warm evening. the repose Of
a weil-ordered community, the
stiffness Of the country, the softly
stepping night stealing upon the
heels Of a sun-nooded day. bur-
dened with the fragrance OF the
hills and flower gardens, met him
gratefully, engulfing, caressing
him. He always drew a great
breath; the days troublesome af,
fairs and its hot pace were over;
he was glad to think Of the peace
that awaited him.
II not too tired. he would walk
from the station. The trolley
robbed him Of some Of the sweet
ness and beauty Of the evening.
It was pleasant to make his way
across the college campus, pass
ing under the leviathan.armed
oaks, meeting occasional belated
students hurrying from labora-
tory or library. The gardens
were filled with flowers, geran.
iums glowed redly in thick
hedges, roses loaded the air prodi-
gally with their scent. Appetiz-
ing odors Of evening meals in pro.
cess OF preparation. stole from
kitchens and mingled with the
scents Of the early night. Lawns
were being watered; family
groups gathered on porch stens.
the women in white. the men
smoking their pipes; children ran
about playing games and calling
shrilly to one another. It was
the twilight hour, with it's cessa-
ton from work; its tranquility.
There was no hint here of streets
filled with billowing ash.dust, the
stink OF stale fires. Of sweat and
labor
Mrs. Grotenberg would be wait.
Ing for him by the foot OF one of
the dropping pepper trees. She
had made q little seat for her
self out, of a couple Of boards.
and sometimes sat there watch.
ing for hours. He could see her
white figure long before he
reached the last steep ascent that
led up to the cobbled stems and