The Washington times., 1923-10-17

Betty, while Rosa's effusiveness
was never more marked. AS we
drove along I explained matters to
Betty, whose poise was sufficient
so that she showed no signs Of as
constituent at this addition to our
party.
WHY don't think there's any
reason for you to leave either me
or Mr.. and Mrs. Cordova," she
said graciously when had finish
ed explaining my intentions. "I'm
sure Peter will be delighted to ex-
tend the courtesy Of the club to
your friends. And I'm equally sure
Mr.. and Mrs. Cordova will excuse
us If we have to get down to the
business before the house imme-
diately after dining"
Rosa's eyes sparkled. Her face
flushed with delight. I'd never so
fully realized what a combination
Of snob and climber she is.
"Oh-how you are SWEET! she
cried. IT shall SO like this for Ra-
mon. Anne she did not think of
this. Or maybe she was not sure
we would-how you say-pass mus
terri
She went off into a series of
chuckles. Ramon looked uncom-
Portable. had no idea that he
didn't want to intrtlue. But be-
fore anyone could go further into
the matter, Betty explained easily:
'Peter Stanley and I were child
hood playnates. He and Anne
are new acquaintance. For her to.
ask him to include her friends
would be out of the question. But
the fact that you are Anne's friends
and that his old pal wishes you
to dine with US makes it all sim
pie, don't you think so?''
ST shall no wish to intrude,". said
Ramon soberly. ST am puzzle.
do not so well know the custom.
I think, Rosamundi, we do not
take the advantage -,
But Rosa, leaning forward, flung
her face up to his and pouted out
something in Spanish. I wondered
what she could be saying. Ra.
mon hesitated a moment. Then
he flung out his hands and nod
ded, slowly, smiling triumphantly.
Rosa turned quickly and whisper
ed in my ear: care you ashamed
Of US. Anne? I think this is one
grand joke on you and jaime"
I felt a sudden, quick fear. I
would have given a great deal to
prevent the meeting between Rosa
Cordova and Peter Stanley.
Betty was as good as her word.
Going into the lobby Of Peters
club, to which Ladies' Night made
her free. she returned presently to
the taxi in which the Cordovas and
I sat waiting. And with her was
Peter Stanley, slim, perfectly
groomed, wiry-a Northern edition
of the compact and slender Ramon
Cordova. But where Ramon was
Oriental in his impassivity and sly
and suspicious in his reserved, non
committal manner Of watchful
waiting, Peter Stanley was digni-
fled in his reserve and controlled
in his detachment and lack of
paraded prejudices.
Mr.. Stanley came straight to me.
holding out his hand cordially and
said:
Good evening, Mrs. Harrison.
am so glad you didn't take my
tyrannical demand for your time
amiss. Won't you present me to
your friends, so I can persuade
them to join us for dinner?"
Wishing Rosa at least didn't
have to be sponsored as my
"friend" I presented Mr.. Stanley
to her and Ramon Cordova. His
quiet, but firm, courtesy didn't
keep Rosa from darting out a
feeler in the direction Of a more
personal note.
''How I am glad to have this
meeting" she cried, rolling her
eyes, but laying her hand on Ra-
mons arm as If to keep in COM
munication with him. "Me,
have heard so much Of the great
house Of Stanley that it is won
derful pleasure for to meet and
just when 1t is chance for my
Ramon to see how you do by the
clubs of the Estados Unidos. At
home he belong to so many clubs.
And here maybe Jaime Harrison
put him up guest at one-maybe
not"
The deliberate malice of It
escaped neither Betty nor Mr..
Stanley. Rosa pretended to mask
that under an air of smiling ignor-
ance of the custom of the coun-
try. But knew she was deliber-
ately trying to belittle Jim in Mr..
Stan1ey's eyes. And I suspected
that she was taking this method of
hiding from her husband that she
had a deep and unlimited per-
sonal interest in Jim.
Eluding the hint to put Ramon