The Washington times., 1924-12-25
By Eleanor Meherin
The Biggest and Best Story Oe
Her Career.

Lee? You have some
feeling for me, call IL
love or not"
She was unable to take her glance
from his; unable to move her hands.
She said breathlessly: 'No--its not
love. / know what love can be-"
III He got up and held her coat,
smoothing the collar. He turned
her about and looked into her full.
pleading eyes. Then he smiled:
yours isn't love, Nora Lee? Are
you sure OF that? I think mine is"
She put her hand quickly in his.
''Then I'm sorry Max. Our friend
ohip--I suppose that's gone?"
~. 'sWas 1t ever friendship, Nora
Lee? Don't answer! whatever it
was, we keep it! I'm not giving you
up-not yet"
Then he insisted on taking her to
q show; he talked between acts in
his soft, exquisite drawl. IF it's
mot love, Nora Lee, it's something
awfully pleasant, isn't it? 1t puts
color into life, doesn't it? You'll
miss me IL you cast me out. Admit
it-won't your"
She said defiantly: "Of course I'll
miss youv'
When she looked for her key at
the door Max puffed lazlly at his
cigarette, blowing the smoke in her
face. "By the way, sis. when Is
that young Herrick boy coming
homer"
''Soon."
"Ah--so. And you mean to
marry him, Nora Lee? You think
you can be happy with. that kind
Of life? Listen, sis; you're q hot,
1mpulsive creature. Don't let your
feelings. at the first, rush you
into q marriage that you'll re-
gret."
She glanced at him wondering
~. "That I'll regret? What do
you mean?"
THAT you're exotic in your
tastes and longing. You won't
IKE grubbing along on next to
nothing. Perhaps you can't even
stand it. Why, dearest girl, as
soon as you had 10 cents more
than you needed, what did you
dor Bought an automobile. Just
give that a thought"
She tapped her foot-high
strung and impatient. "I'm not
really extravagant at all. I spend
now because there's no reason
why I shouldn't enjoy myself.
Sallie and 1 don't intend to let
the best years N our lives be
Wtinted, saving for old age when
you can't enjoy yourself anyway!
People say how sad is destitute
senility. l want to tell you it
It's not one-tenth as pitiful as a
destitute youth"
''Exactly what / believe--exact-
" why I'm begging you to be
wary"
Dane isn't poverty stricken.
quite. Besides, such things can
b adjusted. And we don't have
% get married the day after to-
morrow" She glanced up, a row
Of dazzling. even teeth showing
through the wide, childish grin:
"If I'm to shun poverty, how
would marriage with you be ad-
visable, MAXI"
"I'vA a few dollars. Did you
say your minimum must be $4O0
! q month? Very wen. Besides I'd
make no demands on you. I
wouldn't expect you to keep a
conventional home with three
2 meals a day. We could do it.
we'd live like gypsies."
A warmth flew into her heart;
''well, ia like that part Of it ell
right! I'd love that-careless-
come 40 you please" She
laughed softly.
"And other parts, too, Nora
Lee" He was STOPPING with the
y kav turuAd in the lock- He drew
Il out, passed an arm swiftly about
h her: "Yes--sis, dear--we love each
Other!'
She was quiet and ready to cry
when he kissed her.
She brooded over things he said.
Typing ad copy the next day she
wrote Love" four or five times
( instead of "loss."
She asked herself starkly: DO
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