Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-12-19
THIS AND THAT
BY CHARLES E. TRACEWELL.

was weary OF Maisie Ball, tremen-
dously tired of Florida.
Back home the Christmas crowds
were hurrying along F street. Dear
old b street! She seemed to see the
automobiles, and the people, che old
ladies' trying to beat automobiles across
the street. young girls displaying
proudly their silk stockings, men
walking. admiring.
1t came to Mary at last that she had
no business ever undertaking such
an adventure, after all. What had she
to do with life in the raw?
why. you-you are a fake inves-
tigator, Mary" she told herself, that
inner self that hides away inside one,
never seen, but undoubtedly there.
You had better run back home to
mother, like a good little girl, and
stop trying to bluff the world"
1t was soothing idea. Brought up
in cultured surroundings, Mary Rogue,
despite her unusual occupation. had
dealt only with cultured people. Here,
faced with just one person without
real breeding, she was ready to quit.
She had no fear of the word "quit."
Men shrink from being called quit
ter" but women do not mind the term
at all, If it suits their purpose.
"Ill-Ill quit, them" said Mary,
with vast relief. on go back home,
and close up my silly Office. and settle
down to life at home, where belong"
She rose, in the shadows, and started
for the hotel. She did not pass
through the lobby. but took the same
way in she had gone out. Col. Ball
was still there, talking to the realtor.
They had big map spread out be-
tween them.
Mary ducked into her room, and sat
down on the one STRAIGHTFORWARD chair.
She could leave on the midnight train
for the North. What was Col. Ball to
her. anyway? She would leave him
no bill, she wouldn't accept a cent
She seized a sheet of paper and
wrote him note:
Dear Col. Ball:
II have bungled the job OF getting
your daughter back TO you, and so
don't feel that I ought to bluff you
any longer. ] am presenting you no
bill for services rendered. because / do
not feel that / have rendered any.
Your daughter is here. You can
find her any evening at the Busy Bee
Lunch. Drop in there about pm
and God bless you both.
Il VIII be on my way back home
when you discover this, so don't try to
find me. Please forgive me. 1 got
with best wishes,
MARY ROGUE"
She hastily sealed the letter, then
tiptoed into the colonel's room across
the hall. She placed the envelope on
the dresser, where he could not fail to
see it, and tiptoed out again.
I'm going home" she whispered to
her reflection, as she got out of her
fancy costume and into her travelling
dress. Back to Washington, where
l belong.
And III walk + street with the
best Of them, and play the little lady
of the home, which is what | am, at
heart Don't bluff yourself any long
er, Mary" she told her image.
And ii smiled back at her, but there
was "a hurt look around the corners of
that cupid mouth.
This is the quicket getaway
Florida ever saw" she grinned, as she
walked down the staircase, small trav-
cling bag held half-concealed at her
side.
She was going home,
Before she stepped into the street
she peered into the lobby from behind
palm. The real estate man was
Grating to Col. Ball. She listened for
d second.
There is no boom in Florida" she
heard him say.