The Washington times., 1935-09-26

it IN her han0s.
She said in a voice that be-
trayed nj emotion: "It's moth
ing but the wedding announce
ment. Can't you tell that by
the envelope?"
"Oh!" Ma reached to take it.
"No-I won't take time to
open it now. I'm going to wash.
I'll be ready in a minute. You
60 ahead and dish up"
"Well-' Ma withdrew, re-
luctantly. Wanted to know all
about it. Well, she could wait.
Mary herself felt that she
could wait forever. She didn't
care if she ever opened it.
She thought Of things she'd
read, about girls returning let
ters, unread.
Why be dramatic? Why send
q letter back unread? He GER
tainly hadn't troubled to send
hers back, read or unread. &.
She tore the thick, creamy en-
velope, carelesSly. Looked at
the stiff, folded sheet it con-
tanned. Well, she didn't care!
Let him get married! She flung
the sheet onto the bureau, then
picked it UP again, realizing
that she hadn't taken in what
she'd read:
"Mr. and Mrs. John D'Evelyn
Granger request the honor Of
your presence at the marriage
of their daughter, VeSta Allainc,
to Mr.. James George Todd, jr..
on Wednesday, the -"
Why finish it? She wasn't
going! He needn't have both
cred to send it.
Quite casually, as If it were
an ad, or a bill, she flung it
back on the bureau, went out to
the kitchen to have her dinner.
When Ma set her well-filled
plate before her she said hastily,
"Oh, you shouldn't have given
me so much! I had tea late
with Mrs. Samson"
She thought that food would
Sicken her, who had just re-
ceived mortal blow. But it
didn't. She ate. Ate everything.
Had a second popover.
"Samson's wife came in this
afternoon, and Samson let me
off to go house hunting with
her. She's a stranger here"
We'll, I should think they'd
get someone who knew the city!
I don't know as I want you go.
ing into all kinds of empty
houses, especially apartments.
I've heard that you never can
tell, even the incest seeming
ones"
That's right" Pa said.
"Since they cleaned up the
Barbary coast they're all over
town. You've got to keep your
eyes peeled, Babe. and as Ma
says"
I'm not a child! Anyway,
We didn't go. She wanted to go
shopping instead. She's awfully
nice! I expect to see a lot more
Of her. She's new here, you
know, and doesn't know any
girls"
Girls! She's not your age, is
she?"
"Oh, no, she's older. -. But
what difference does it make?"
well, I don't approve Of old
married women cumming
with young girls. You have
your nice young girl friends,
Babe, and always think. :"
Mary lost her temper then.
Did it half on purpose. AS a
relief. You make me tired!
Nice girl friends! Who are
they! The college crowd?
Don't be silly. You know how
much Jean Harvey cares about
me. The rest care less. The
only reason they rushed me
waS... Heavens, it's all over
anyway. And as for the nice
young girls know in business,
you wouldn't want me to hang
around with them if you knew
them. A bunch Of stupid old
maids. -"
"Mary!" Mildly, from Pa.
II don't care. They are.
They don't know any men. All
they do Is kid themselves into
thinking they're having a swell
elegant time going to shows
q bunch Of girls all together
Looking like fools and. :"
Babe, you're not yourself"
Ma said. you're excited.
You're. -"
"oh,A no. I'm not. I know