San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1926-01-12

Il couldn't 1 said without the
slightest desire to evade the truth.
Couldn't prevent Jim from going
in with me? Have you so little influ-
cnce over your own husband?"
I'm not given to interference"
said grimly. And in this case l
couldn't logically object TO Jim's wish.
You need us to be neighborly and
drive your car. Jim loves driving.
/ We can't afford a car of our own.
, So this arrangement is far too conve'
nient and sensible to have me object
/ to in terms of an-absurd prejudice.
! Nick Perry laughed. Then he lean
ed forward and peered down a side
road with great animation. His face
screwed into an odd mask. He pointed
to little sign swinging on a gate
post.
I'D like tea," he said. "ThiS place
is wonderful"
1t was not until we drove up the
driveway of the place he had chosen
for tea that / saw Jeanie'S blue
coupe parked at the entrance adJoln'
ing the side road Nick Perry had
suddenly nOteu.
He's brought me here because
Jeanic is here! He wants to see her
again. Why?"
| was soon to discover that Nick
Perrys reason for wanting tea was
far moro subtle one than the desire
to see Jeanne.
Having to act as Nicholas Perry S
chauffeur several afternoons week
has not appealed TO me from the be-
ginning Of the arrangement, whereby
he owns car and we house it and
pay half its upkeep and drive it-and
It's owner-about. But with the reali-
cation that | was about to chapcrOne
a reunion between Nicholas Perry and
Jeanne, the whole affair took turn
that made me lost my mental bear
ings.
l had thought that Nick and Jeanie
were well rid of each other and were
delighted at the clean break in their
friendship. He dreaded her thinking
he had to stand by-she dreaded hay
ing to do it. At least that was what
Zach of them had indicated in theil
period of great stress when the injury
TO Nick's hands had threatened TO Grip
pie him for life instead Of for q limited
period of time.
And here they were about TO meet
| had been the means of their cominl
together. If / hadn't taken this par
ticular road and driven Mt certain
rate of speed, we wouldn't be here
broke in ON my own nominations will
q brisk:
do you really want to stop her,
for tea?"
"Why not? I said / did. I'm no
woman to change my mind every
two seconds" was Nick's amused re
ply.
AZ thought perhaps we could find ;
nicer place"
Il saw the blue coupe coming dowr
the, side road before / suggested turn
ing in here" Nick said, calmly putin:
| his cards on the table.
"Oh." was all l ventured, ns
parked the car on the other side o.
the place from that occupied by thu
blue coupe.
But as we came up the farm hous'
steps to the big piazza sun prrlor
which had been turned into tearoom
the first person we encountered was
Jeanne. The companion who sat will
| her at the little yellow wooden table
with its black Oilcloth cover was non'
other than Lucic Tremnine. now Mrs
Matt Hawley. Something in my brair
swan at the sight of the two of them
A cool nod from Jeanie was GU
meeting. Lucic waved nonchalan
hand. Nicholas Perry drew out m!
chair, told me TO order what L wanted
and then strollcd over to greet Jeanne
| expected to be left alone for fifteeI
or twenty minutes, and fumcd-not tn
thought of being deserted, but of be
/ ing helpless to prevent the resumption
Of friendly relations between Jeani'
and her erstwhilc cavalier. But Nicho
las Perry came back to our table be
fore the waitress had arrived to taxi
our order.
Was she as. cool rs all that"
asked with more relief than malice.
Are you as glad as all that:' n
replied, nothing dauntcd.
Before | could answer the waitress
came delightful and quaint. in he,
checked yellow bingham dress will
its tiny black apron. Nicholas PER-!
ordered lavish tea of sandwiches
and cookies and chocolate and added
jovially to the waitress:
Bring whatever a man with
couple of bandaged hands can mos
easily manage, and whatever els
there is the lady will like"
Then he deity took out a cigarette
inserted it in the holder and begaI
to smoke with zest.
"Your hands get better every day,
said with a sense of great joy tina
his big artistic talent shouldn't b
! wasted.
And that relieves you 81 NOR
and more responsibility" he replied
! thoughtfully.