Evening star., 1935-10-02
INSTALLMENT XIII.

A S FAR as Ann was concerned
~ her trip to Elmville was an
~ incident of importance to nc
one but herself. But Mollie.
being Mollie, had other ideas. First
she proposed, unknown to Ann, that
they have dinner at the apartment
Rita, Carl and Bill-and then drive
to the station to see Ann off. But
Rita announced that she and Carl
had an engagement that couldn't be
broken, and then Bill swore by all
that was holy he couldn't possibly
get away.
What Molle said to Bill left his
ear burning long after he had put
up the telephone receiver and served
TO bring him, humble and apologetic,
to the apartment a few nights after
AIMS departure.
Thus thwarted in her first designs,
Mollie decided to make AIMS home
going a real event-and did.
Ann was leaving at o'clock. She
planned to do little shopping, then
have dinner with Mollie and Rita
and about 7 o'clock take the trolley.
A lump rose suddenly in her throat
when at five minutes after she
entered the apartment and found the
living room flaming with the gaudy
colors of party decorations and the
table looking for all the world like
the birthday party table of a very
little girl.
Mollie, of course. Mollie turning
every pleasant little event into a gay
celebration. And then Ann saw that
the table was set for three and, know
ing Rita had gone directly to the
Justice Department to meet Carl, she
decided Mollie had asked Bill up
and she was thoroughly angry with
herself for the sudden pounding OF
her heart.
Voices came to her from the
kitchen. Ann picked up spoon,
drummed on the top plate in the
stack and sang out Justify, ITS a
party, it's party and you're
not invited, smarty It's a
party, it's party
The kitchen door flew open and
AIMS eyes popped. "Oh =" she
said as Mollie caught her hands. Ann
stood transfxed. 1t seemed altogether
incredible, and yet there in the
kitchen doorway was Lady Lyol, wiping
her hands on one of Mollie's aprons,
looking quite comfortable and pleased
Ann managed to say at last, I'm ter
ribly sorry, Lady Lyol . Mollie
didn't even hint -
No doubt history will give ample
space to the First Lady of Ann;
Washington days and it is just pos
sible that somewhere there will be
casual mention of her friendship with
Mollie Wlnslow, the brilliant young
newspaper woman. But of that
memorable little party in Mollie's
apartment posterity will probably hear
nothing at all.
Ann found it impossible to be awed
by Lady Lyol's presence, as the recol-
lection of their meeting at her Elm
vile home came to reaSSure her. They
talked about the things Ann under
stood and liked to talk about and
consciously as though only Mollie
had been there to listen. And Lady
.Lyol, to whom both talking and listen
ing we're arts to be equally respected
contributed no more, no less than
her third of the light, rambling con-
Versation.
1t was o'clock when AIMS eyes
hofNrNnr1nd q n 70 raef l1
clock. Her train left in an hour
Mollie said presently, IF your chauf-
feur is as punctual as usual, Lady
Lyol, the car should be at the door
by now" And she got up and went
to the front window. "On the dot.
No, we're not doing the Dishes" she
said firmly as Lady Lyol rose and
began to collect the silver. I'll have
all night to do that and I'll love it."
r Il wish you would let me enjoy
myself when I have an opportunity,
. Lady Lyol complained. you're al
ways telling me I can't do this and
! can't do that"
But there isn't time enough to-
night" Mollie laughed. Pulling the
table back against the wall she said
TO Ann, Lady Lyol is sending lis to
the station in her car, darling. Isn't
she sweet?"
"Oh, but she mustn't" Ann said
quickly. II can take trolley
and"
And now you're telling me what
can't do" Lady Lyol sighed. you've
been associating with Mollie too much,