The Washington times., 1935-10-05

"And you haven't explained
your sudden interest in older
men. The last I knew about
you, Mary, you were. all
wrapped up in some college
boy, and once when I happened
to say something pleasant
about your former manager,
Mr.. Bennett, who was certainly
well under 80, you acted as if
I had insulted you"
Bennett again! Was there
any reason people had to throw
that man in her teeth? She
was more than sick of it. She
wouldn't put UP with it any
more
"Insulted my intelligence, you
mean. I know Bennet's kind.
He's like your chief" (There
now, I'll fix you, Miss Ethelyn
Snooty NaSty-Nics, Piper)-
'he'S not the type to marry
his stenograher or even give
her a second thought"
Ethelyn compressed her lips.
She didn't answer. But once
started, Mary couldn't stop.
And with Milton Holden
who's just as important as
they are. and has as much
money, it's different. He'd
marry me in a minute"
"Oh, yes?" Ethelyn inquired.
But even in her anger she re-
membered she was Ethelyn
Piper, secretary to Dexter Alex
ander, and she didn't give it
the cheap, slang infection.
"Oh, yes, he would"
"Indeed," Ethelyn said.
CHAPTER XVII
They passed a window Of fur
coats, stopped automatically,
stared at them.
He didn't give you the fur
coat, did he?" Ethelyn smiled,
and before Mary could answer,
she said, "Oh, that's just a bad
joke. I just hadn't seen it be-
fore, that's ALL"
"Oh, you've seen it. It's Mar
got PatterSon'S. She lent it to
me. have to look nice when
I go out with a fellow like Mil
ton Holden-the places he takes
me to, and all But If you
want to know, he's going to get
me a mink one for a wedding
present"
She hadn't meant to say that.
It slipped out. 1t was Ethelyn's
fault, making so light of the
whole thing, acting as if Holden
were an uncle.
She could feel her face get
ting red. Suppose, some how or
other, it got back to Holden?
''Ethelyn, I didn't mean to say
that. You won't say anything?
Ethelyn, will you promise?
"Of course. But my dear,
what news! I'm going to be the
first to give a shower for you.
I think it's such fun when a
girl announces her engage
ment-"
''Ethelyn, I HAVEN'T! I may
never. I don't even know II
L"
"Oh, he's just proposed and
you haven't made up your mind
I see! Well, of course, it all de-
pendS-I barely met him"
"Ethelyn, promise!"
MARY, of course, I promise!"
But the day was spoilt. She
was irritable and tired when she
finally closed her desk, and
started for home.
She was so late that there
would be barely time to wash
her face and hands before din
ner. Timmy Weeks and the
Frick girls, and one Of the
Painter boys were in the draw
ing room already, waiting for
the dining room doors to open.
Timmy Weeks said, "Oh, a
Mr.. Garter telephoned twice for
YOU Miss Shannon. Said he'd
try to call again."
She stopped short. did he
say where I could get him?"
Timmy put another record on
the phonograph. Dancer"
mo thanks. Didn't Mr.. Car
ter leave a number? 1t might
be important"
"Come on, Peggy-you won't
turn me down! Alta girl!-No,
I asked him for the number,
Miss Shannon, but he said he
didn't know where he'd be. Too
bad!"
She hurried up the sairs.
"Miss Mary!"
It was Holden. The last per-
son she wanted to see. Her face
famed at the very sound Of his
voice.
Hello, Mr.. Holden" she
called back, and then before he
could say another word she
darted up the stairs to the third