Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-18

He felt that he was slowly and surely sinking
into the deadly routine of ONCE work and that
a few more years would find him devoid OF the
courage to make q break. He was so ready for
IL now The stimulation of q new environ
ment, the responsibility of being the head Of
an Office small though it would be- aroused
all the ambition he had felt at his FIRST JoD
The minutes licked by, slowly and solemnly,
until finally the grandfather's clock in the hall
struck 8. Mr.. Blanford would be in any time
now.
Should he stay and have a talk with him
now or appeaSe Thelma by saying that Blan-
ford wouldn't be in until late and thereby gain
ing a few more hours before the hnal decision
would be made? Cautiously he opened the
library door. The hall was deserted. His hat
and overcoat were mvit1ngly near. Inc VmpCa-
ton was too great.
Before he fully realized what he was doing
he had covered the distance to the front door,
opened it quietly and slipped out. He chuckled
to himself as he thought of the maids surprise
when she found the library empty 1t was like
truant
His mind was busy with arguments as he
made his way home. Coming in sight of the
apartment his eyes involuntarily sought his
own windows. The shades were drawn, the
windows subdued patches of amber against the
immense blackness of the night Thelma had
drawn the shades. Matt turned this over idly
in his thoughts. How often had he had TO
remind her TO lower them when the lights were
on. And how careless she had always been.
That was a woman for you, trying to please
man by remembering little things when she
wanted her own way about something
Thelma was a sweet kid after all, and he
half regretted not having waited for Blanford.
He would get her box Of candy anyway.
That would ease his conscience some. broad
smile came to his face as he made his way TO
the corner drug store.
With the box tucked snugly under his arm
he hurried up the two flights of steps. He
would surprise her, bless her heart With the
cunning Of a hunter he quietly inserted his
latch key and opened the door Across the tiny
hall was the living room, its lights rudy and
inviting after the walk through the bitter wind.
AS Matt removed his overcoat he saw with
a start that there were two shadows on the
living room floor. He stood still. Suddenly the
two shadows moved forward and there was but
one, a thicker heavier shadow which swayed
slightly, this way and that. Matt dropped his
coat and stepped into the room. Between him
and the lamp stood Thelma, the light making
an aura around her cur1s With her stood a
man. his arms about her.
A sickening realization swept over Matt Then
fury obsessed him. His eyes grew wider with
his sudden hatred. He made an inarticulate
sound at which the lovers jumped guiltily
apart.
Richardson" exclaimed Matt, recognizing
with a grasp a well known man about town.
Richardson stared Thelmas face was crimson
There was silence deadly with its heaviness
IT hope I'm not intruding," Matt laughed
harshly.
"You sneak you've been spying on
mel" screamed Thelma
mot SPYING" Kissed Matt, "just getting the
truth about things"
Richardson's face was ashy and his eyes
shifted uncertainty. He made move as If he
would brush Matt aside and escape through the