Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-02-02
JUDY'S MAN
Washingtons Social Whrl and Official Life Are the
Background of This Fascinating Love Story
By HELEN BERGER.
pyyScbt 1927 bv fAr Penn PUBLISHING Go

1T was forwarded to you from the
apartment. What--what does he
say"
Judy held out the letter. Read it,
she commanded. 1T answers all your
questions"
And as Cecily snatched the paper,
she went over and stood by the win
dow. staring out into the sunlight and
the beauty with tired. sad eyes.
For Cecily the world was beginning
anew!
For her. everything was ended, And
suddenly she did not care. Nothing
mattered! Nothing-except truth,
Strange things were happening IN
Washington. meanwhile.
A. man, with the collar of his coat
turned up and the brim of his hat
pulled down till only the dark mock
cry of his eyes was visible III the
shadows, came into the outer Office of
Mr.. Darien. A clerk stepped briskly
out to meet him.
"You have an appointment" the
, clerk asked.
The stranger smiled. And old ap-
pointment, I'm afraid he said pleas
antly. But l think he'll see me just
the same"
The clerk bristled. mfr. Darien Is
in conference just now. II you viii
give me your name, please?"
The stranger smiled. So much the
clerk saw.
81 have a rooted aversion to giving
anything he told the clerk blandly
Even my name. Just tell Mr.. Darien
that q gentleman wishes to see him.
"Mr. Darien receives only by ap'
pointment. 1t would be useless for me
to go to him without your name.
The clerk was very sure of his ground
now.
The stranger considered this. prob
ably you're right" he conceded. Very
well, then. Just tell him a gentleman
from France. A man who once knew
his son.
At this the clerks attitude changed
"I'll speak to him at once.
The stranger stood very quietly
surveying the office from his shad
owed eyes until the clerk returned.
This way, sir"
The stranger followed the neat back
of the clerk. Presently his guide
threw open a door.
This is the gentleman, Mr.. Darien"
he announced.
The stranger hesitated on the
threshold. Mr.. Darien rose, came for
ward questioningly.
Come in!" he said. Suddenly he
asked in a trembling voice, You
have-news?"
The man advanced to him, stood
looking at him. Suddenly with a great
gesture he swept off his hat, turned
down his collar.
"Dad!' he cried ringingly.
Jack! Jackr' For an instant
foolishly, they chung together, almost
crying through their laughter. They
slapped each other on the back. They
shouted jokes, insults!
The neat clerk poked his head in
and withdrew with a scandalized face
AS though words had left them they
stood and looked at each other, study
ing, each one the dearly loved face
before him with eager, questioning
eyes.
You have changed, Jack. Changed
great deal. l suppose the war has
done it."
Jack looked at his father steadily
Several things have had a hand fr
it., IL am changed" he said slowly. 81
hoped / would be changed" Sud
denly he smiled az was a good dea
of a bounder when I went away
His father resented this with vigor
! You were a mighty fine lad wher
you went away he said hotly. -
wouldn't have asked for any better.
Jack shook his head. NO" ht
said. when went away ! Thoughts
money would buy anything. Even re
spect. But on the transports and In
the trenches money didn't mean sc
very much. I had to stand on my OWL
feet" His face lightened, glowed.
There were fellows there from
Nebraska, California, Maine. They
had never even heard the name Of
Darien before. And they were great
pals. I learned lot from them.
| Suddenly he flushed, looked away
There was a girl-before 1 left! She
pointed the way for me, think. She
| made me see that my name didn'
mean anything unless 1 myself made
it mean something. And-the fellows
did the rest
Mr.. Darien's eyes took fire with q
strange look of pride. Your mother
will be so proud of your he said
Then his glance deepened, remember
Ing her. Your mother! Think whai
this will mean to herr
/ The rather tired lines about Jacl
Darien's mouth softened into sweet
ness. II wish you might know how
| often.in dirt and darkness and horror
chung to the thought of mothery' h
said almost to himself. And as ht
| said 1t he was thinking of anothel
thought that had lightened his dark
ness, a thought so delicate, so nebu
lous that he could not yet confide Il
to his father. Night after night, in
the darkness of the trenches the vi