Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1924-08-22
A LOT OF
SPENDING
IN $500
By CORONA REMINGTON
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

(@. 1924 Mcclure Newspaper syndicate,)
Tom Mason sat in the most ex-
pensive suite In the Belleview hotel
and ran his eye over the society
columns of the afternoon paper. Many
familiar names were there and many
that were not three years can make
great change in n growing city.
Suddenly an item caught his attention
that sent the blood surging to his
face and made his hands, grasping
the sheet, grow cold.
Miss Alkaline Mckinney is giving
dance this evening at the valley
View Golf and Country club in honor
of her house guest, Miss Louise Ken
ton, of Baltimore. About 200 invita-
tons have been sent out"
Mason dropped the paper on his
knees and let his mind wander back
over an experience that he had will
fully buried more than three years
ago. He saw Alkaline Mckinney as
he had last seen her, exquisitely
dressed, dainty and lovely, her vivid
animated face changing expression
with every changing thought. He
remembered how on that last night
when he had proposed her big trou-
bled eyes had filed with tears"
"Oh, Tom, you don't understand"
she had gasped. "Rlches are my
very life would suffocate In a
stuffy little cottage with nelghbors
right in my front yard. And there
isn't even hope Of your ever being
rlch--artlsts never are, you know"
without a word he had bowed and
departed, leaving her standing In the
path alone.
During the years that had elapsed
since then his chief feeling toward
her had been one Of bitter resent
ment, and as he came back to the
present a sudden idea flashed into
his mind. He would dress and go to
the club and see her.
As he walked Into the ballroom Of
the country club that evening he gave
n start when he first glimpsed Miss
Mckinney.
"Tomw she gasped as she put out
her hand, the color coming and go
ing In her face in quick waves.
"Adallne," he murmured. "FOr
heavens sake save me lot Of dances
80 we can sit them out and talk"
She nodded and turned to the next
guest. Soon they had all arrived
and the orchestra started lively
b.. .rot. tbo onu,nony hroIa IN infn
couples and began dancing. Alkaline
passed him several times, standing
near the wall, and smiled at him
across her partners shoulder, but he
steeled himself against her. The
music stopped suddenly-a moment
later a gentle hand was on his arm.
what a gloomy, good-looking man
you are !" she laughed.
He turned to her with q smile.
"Shall we go out on the verandaT
he suggested.
Good All, Tom, It's been so long
slnce-since | saw YOU" There was
catchy little tremor in her voice
MS she spoke.
"Intermlnably long" he replied.
"Are you engagedT he asked blunt
ly.
mo"
Good. Then we can run around
bit together for old times sake.
I'm only here for two weeks"
"Oh, I'd love to, Tom, but l want
you to tell me all about yourself
and what you've been doing. You
look so-er-prosperous Where're
you staylng"
81 have a suite at the Belleview."
"Goodnessl" she exclaimed. "That's
our new hotel-only .milllonalres can
live there"
mot as bad as all that" he
laughed deprecatlngly, Though I
suppose 1t Is expensive"
They managed to see good bit
Of each other that first evening, and
the next morning Mason sent her a
huge box Of roses with a little note
asking whether he could call and take
her to dinner that night.
"Td be so glad to. CO." she sang
over the wire as soon as she got the
message.
The next day brought more flow
ers and box OF candy cleverly done
up IN what looked like a huge morn
ing-glory tied with steamers Of blue
ribbon.
ITO the girl love" was scrawled
across the card inside.
AdalIne's heart leaped with Joy.
Each day brought her fresh encour-
agement, and she was more and more
convinced that his love was hers once
more.
When the last evening neared Mason
summoned d taxi and went out to the
Mckinney home.
~ can't give you up this time" he
said brokenly. 81 loved you once and
you threw me down. went to the
club that night with the express pur-
pose Of getting you interested and
then dropping you, but you can't play
with fire without getting burned.
You've won my love now more COM
pletely than ever"
lie drew her to him and kissed
her.
Dear old Tom, don't want to
escape. For three years I've been
hoping and praying you'd come
back" she said. "And you'll just
know how much love you when I
say that--wel. there's n lot Of spend
Ing in $1,5O0-for short time" she
laughed mlschleyously up at him.