The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-02-13

graved cards came in just nosss
Don't be- went on CarI6tta,
with the queer ripple g0it
through her voice. lyon make
me ashamed. wasn't as punc-
tilious about you as you we
about me. / planned my evellesk
without consulting you tholIsh
you were to be included II free5s.'.
Her voice faded into q reguIaE
onest-to-goodness chuckle. -
What are you trying to tel
me--or not to tell me?' Do
naanded. 1ose
''I'm telling you, dear" replied
Carlotta. ''that when you set
home You win find me In selie
process Of dolling up in mp
observation-disclosures costume. IN
be DOMINIC my cIinging. VTsa6
orchid and green chiffon ana
making ready to dine with ASS
thony Norreys.'N
'CarlOtta!" / cried. ssss
But with a malicious liftIS
laugh she clicked the recefvet
into place.
Nor. when got home, could
persuade Carlotta to doff en-
tirely her mood Of almost elfin
gaity. She was feverish and
cited. She had the air Of play
ing a game for great stakes and,
having won the toss, as she her,
self explained. ss
81 called Tony and said I was~
delighted to hear Of his safe
return. ! asked about Mrs. VIM
ston. I heard what evidentIvs
you'd forgotten to tell me tiln
I was her hostess on her first
night in the city. said III
thought / had q right to collect
for her lodgings. Tony snapped
up the joke and said sIou1d
name my fee. And said for him
to take me to, dinner and the
theater. He was too courteous
to-refuse. But he was either
courteous enough or circupl
spect enough to include you III !.
the invitation. I said I'd let you
know. And-praying you had an 8
appointment serene1y DELAYED
letting you know. was w9its
ing till the last minute in oYaes
to give you every possible chances
to have another appointment
Now-you know" -
Her tone was defiant. But
held a high, sfine pride that could
not be denied. Now Carlotta was
not flamboyant. Instead she was
almost royalty and insolently sles
of herself-unafraid.
''Carlotta, you're out in the open.
aren't your" I asked. 80
Eyes, dear" she said gently. ~
know what I want. I'm going to-
make Tony know, too. He may
have a duty to poor Betty WinstoIs
It's the, duty Of friendship. But
he's got to see that the bigger thing
can't be denied. And the only Way
to make that shy and modest and
even morbid soul realize how we
need each other-is to come out
bravely and show my >surpasslng
need of him. -
DETERMINED TO WIN. -
"And you laid your diabolidA Jig
clever plain" I said admiri1Ssg
with full faith in the promise Vow &
got from me last night. You made
me say I'd help at any cost. Ynus
meant at any cost Of little fibs and ;
of clearing the way and giving veg
chance. You meant at any cost
of not scolding you or trying to lnef-
fluence you in case felt that Xel1 i
were becoming-garish, or acH9R.
in-questionable taste, didn't yollsy
dear?" ,snsh
Carlotta took it without f1inchinG.
THAT'S what" she said. c3r3
"All right-you can count on snIe :
to that extent" said quietly. DIS
"Tony's mine," replied Carlotta !
CURLY. Remember that. Andch
you are tempted to think me h1hl-
or indelicate-keep on rememhaHv-
ing" y crs&
ST will" declared quietly. Spso
A tap sounded at the door. ekv
crossed the room and opened
it. There stood Bertha, smihRgo
vaguely. aE1Ss
tits Mrs. winton. She's doKaleF
stairs. She says she must see EQu
at once, Mrs. Harrison" s;9