The Washington times., 1930-12-26

afraid"
He smiled with Q wry, ro-
mantle twist Of his lips; rarely
had Jim Tracy appeared to
better physical advantage. To
night he had about him just O
touch Of the haggard, to EN-.
phaSize the strain he had been
under. In his white flannels
and blue jacket, he radiated.
nevertheless, youthful and mag
netic It1asculinity; his skin,
slightly pale, was fresh and
clear; his gray eyes were Q
little troubled, but there was q
kind Of humor In them, too.
THAT leaves me high and
dry, doesn't it?" he said, turn.
ing to Kitty.
She sat luxuriously In q deep
chair, her feet crossed and q
cigarette between her fingers:
the violet-blue eyes were fixed
upon his face, but she was
slightly in q shadow and the
intensity Of her gaze was not
obvious.
you'll get over it," Connie
said. quietly.
You're the kind that gets
over It," Kitty returned. II
wouldn't like to be the girl
that fell in love with you"
"Why?"
because she'd never be sure
when you'd cool on her. There's
something tickle about you-n
you get me-"
Jim Tracy laughed softly, and
addressed Connie.
"Can you image it? I'm the
faithful one and you cooled on
me, as Kitty says; yet she
tells me I'm tickle. Has she
told you the same thing about
yourself, Connie?"
"Not yet, and I don't believe
she will" Connie smiled.
IT didn't mean that as Q
knock" Kitty said. Maybe It's
a good thing to have q rubber
heart-I don't know. Don't pay
any attention to what I say
Mr.. Tracy"
call me Jim, will you
please?"
"Oh, jim"
He looked at her closely, be-
ginning to be intrigued. I'm
sorry you don't like me, Kitty"
"I said wouldn't like to be
the girl to fall in love with you.
There's q difference"
Connie was delighted to find
that Kitty had a certain able
ness in conversation, even
though it verged slightly toward
rudeness. The girl, for the first
time in her life, was probably
meeting a man used to the
polite usages of life; yet she
seemed perfectly poised. Her
speech still smacked of Tenth
avenue, but evidently she was
watching her grammar. And,
it was obvious, Jim Tracy was
CaKen with her.
Jim Sends His Love
"I wonder If you two will ex.
cuSe me q few minutes" Con-
ME said suddenly. II think I'll
run upstairs and see how
mother Is feeling before she
drops off to sleep for the
night"
Jim Tracy rose and pulled q
chair aside that Connie might
have a clear passage.
Tell your mother I inquired
after her and sent my love,
will your" he asked.
Mrs. Calvert was resting
easily when Connie went UP.
and wanted to know all about
Kitty's reaction to her new life.
"She's downstairs now talk
ing to Jim like a veteran, and
she has interest" Connie smiled.
Frankly, I like her a whole lot.
After all, it's a risky thing to
nave a strange girl in the
house, even If she happens to
be my half-Sister. But ! think
we haven't made a mistake"
Mistake or not, we have q
duty, and we will try to see it
through as best we can," Mrs.
Calvert replied. II have OBJ
served, Connie, that not great
deal Of happiness is achieved
by acting against ones better
instincts. I think the girl
deserves all the kindness and
love we can give her"
Connie grasped her mothers
hands.
you're a brick, mother. II
this thing had hurt you, If It
had shadowed your faith, In
father, you haven't let out one
little Squeal. How do you get
that way, my dear?"
BE gone. you baggage! You
keep an amiable old lady awake
with nonsense, and she'll prob.
ably turn surely If you don't
get out Of her bedroom and let
her Sleep"
When Connie returned to the
veranda, the chairs occupied by
Jim and Kitty were vacant;
no one was in sight.