The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-08-25
By Charles G. Norris.

to distract him. and his
thoughts betrayed him. Memories.
visions Of her pursued him: he
could not escape them; they drove
him frantic. In desperation, seeking
diversions, he went to call on
Mrs. Grotenberg.
Memories.
He found her In Q dismal base.
ment flat whose entrance was
hidden away beneath q cascade
Of steps that rose from the level
Of the street to q more preten-
tious vestibule above, upon which
gave the doorwaysi to the flats
on upper floors.
There was no light in the pas
sageway. Gas from the open
doorway of the parlor streamed
into the dark hall. Mrs. Groten-
berg peered at him through the
gloom, uncertainty.
''who 10 It? -. Why,
Philip Baldwin-Why. how per-
1ectly splendidLI'm 90 glad.
Come right in; you're a perfect
dear to come and see me-"
She caught his big hand and
drew him in, taking his hat.
eagerly pushing him into the
lighted parlor.
'violet's doing her lessons"
she explained. as q gawky little
girl. with straight hair held back
risidIy by q circular comb. looked
up from her books and stared
at him. stolidly.
Take your books out to the
kitchen. Where's q dear" Mrs.
Grotenberg said ingratiatingly,
gathering the child's school
books together az she spoke.
This 10 Violet Harper" she said
to Philip. Her mothers a dear
friend Of mine. She's out on a
case. now. She's a maternity
NURSE think I told YOU"
The room was small and
shabbily furnished. The gas
nared noisily. disseminating light
through globes Of pressed glass.
A set of oId-fashioned plush
furniture bordered the room; q
drop-leaf table with books. pen,
ink and papers upon it, stood in
the center; against the two front
windows, whose shades. were
close drawn, leaned a lop-sided
wire flower-stand in whose racks
dark-leaved plants languished. In
the seat of an S-backed horse
hair rocker a cat lay comfort
ably curled, blinking apathetic-
ally at the intruder, its paws
neatly tucked from sight. Mrs.
Grotenberg tilted the chair back,
dislodging the animal without
ceremony.
sit here, Phil" she said.
fluttering with eagerness. MY
dear! why didn't you let me
know you were coming? look
a sight! 1 never thought I'd see
you again"
"oh, I've been counting on
coming" he said, embarrassed.
Its good to see you. How'd
you find Connie and the baby?"
She drew a chair near him and
sat down close by. leaning for
ward, her hands clasped upon
her knee. Philip studied her face
closely.
She had changed. she was
much older-thirty-fiv or six. he
decided. Her sallow olive-tinted
skin was smooth. but beside the
crows feet around the eyes. there
were skinny wrinkles across the
lids. and the little ouch of loose
flesh beneath her chin gave tell
tale evidence Of her age. There
was gray in her thin silky hair.
It was in mild disorder tonight.
disclosing across the front the
hairy. dun-colored texture of a
rat" she wore beneath. She
was considerably thinner and her
face was sad. He could not
reconcile himself to. this new sad
ness: IL troubled. him and finally
he spoke of II.
Her Troubles.
"Oh-I've had my share Of
trouble" she told him with a
smiling sigh. ut isn't easy for
woman to get along. you know.
I've always had my living to make,
and-and I've been sick. I had
q fine position for a while in a
Doctors office end then I tried
he renting business. There was
physicians building 'just put
up and ] rented the offices to
doctors and dentists. That was