The Washington times., 1934-09-15

Alspaugh had to leave his pri-
vate figures and answer his tele-
phone which was buzzing insis.
tently. He picked up the receiver
with one eye on the disturbing
sheet Of figures beside it. They
turned to a mere blur as an ex-
cited voice told him:
MRS. Alspaugh has been in an
automobile accident"
He choked, his heart beating
painfully in his narrow breast.
At once, though, came the blessed
reinsurance:
"She's not badly hurt. A slight
conclusion, the doctor says"
Jasper Ingram, sympathetic and
human as always in his relations
with the people close to him,
offered his Speedhoat for Ais
paugh's dash out to the Memorial
Hospital where Marian had been
taken. Shaking and Stammering,
caught between relief and dis
tress, he could hardly grasp the
doctors repeated assurance that
there was nothing to worry about.
MRS. Alspaugh had a miracu-
lous escape. She and her COM
panion were thrown clear of the
car. Mrs. Alspaugh's conclusion
isn't anything to be alarmed
about, and all that discoloration
will clear up quickly. Her COM
panion, fortunately, was even less
seriously injured. A sprained
wrist and bruises. Here he is
now"
D'Alhues, his right arm in a
sling, joined them. His olive skin
looked greener than usual and
there was a criss-cross of plaster
on his chin. His manner, how
ever, was composed and dignified.
At sight Of him. Alspaugh had
visions of a damage suit brought
by this passenger. I'm awfully
sorry. I do hope you're not seri-
ously hurt. Anything can do"
D'Alhues was not a Spanish
nobleman for nothing. He bowed
impressively to the man whose
dearest possession he planned to
steal and said:
1T is nothing. It is my sole
regret that 7 was not the unique
sufferer. That the delicate and
fragile beauty of the Sonora, your
wife, should incur injury-that is
devastating"
II don't understand how the
accident happened" Alspaugh
said. Marian is really an excel
lent and careful driver" The
little man was being as tactful
as possible in an effort to get
Marian cleared of blame while
the doctor was there as a witness.
'"The accident was entirely my
fault" declared d'Alhues, with
superb chivalry. II made an un-
fortunate suggestion, and in try
ing to comply with it-too late
the catastrophe occurred. I shall
blame myself to my last hour"
Homer, able at last to control
his trembling fingers, lighted the
cigar he so badly needed. After
saying that, he thought, the fell
low can't very well bring suit.
The financial consequences of
Marian'S morning activities were
rather appalling. The car, wrecked
beyond repair, would still have
to be paid for. Marian's hospital
bill would be more than a trifle.
He had, however, the miserly
satisfaction of returning to the
shop the $3.50 dress.
Unfortunately he made the mis-.
take Of telling her what he had
done.
THAT means I'm never going
to get my looks back!" she raved.
II knew you were all lying to
mel"
Nothing of the sort, sweetie," ,"
he soothed her. "You won't be
your beautiful self again in time
for the Grangefield dance-that's
all. I've got lot of extra eX-
HSAASSo 4A6AAV AAOWS yON hAAOW GAld VI
so thought it was all right to
save that two fifty"
"I'll want an evening dress the
minute I am fit to look at, Won.
I? And I was Just crazy abe b.
that one. Now they'll sell it';tc
somebody else. You promised to
give it to me-"
There, there, now. I'll get you
the dress. I'll have 'em send il
here to the hospital so you can
see it," he promised.
His troubles were increased the
morning Holbrook Joined him ir
the. commuters train and made q
worried confession. He was ir
deep waters himself. The arrange
ment about the car hadn't beer
exactly businesslike. Friendship
was friendship, but suppose the
situation took a turn where Ho
mer would be dealing, not witt
him, but with his creditors?
The thing to be done was 81