The Washington times., 1936-12-29

doesn't run out till after New
Year"
I'LL stop by before 6 every day
and be with her, and bring her
home at 7 o'clock for dinner, u
volunteered Ann. "She's counting
on her pay check for Christmas
presents. darling, and other ex.
penses. When her contracts out,
she won't renew it,"
Thus he had been temporarily
placated, but when he had gone,
Bernice had whined: "You didn't
have to tell him I'd give it up,
Ann. Don't you know it's the only
real chance I have of seeing
Freddie?"
Now, as the two sisters sat to-
gether on Christmas afternoon,
Bernice brought up the subject of
her cocktail club.
It was a sore spot with Ann.
For the annoying item in the
newspaper had been circulated
around the store! It was reported
that she herself was the Delafield
who "reigned between the hours
of 6 to 8 p. m. over the farnyard
at The Laughing Pig'!"
Say, you look all in this morn.
ing, Miss Delafield! That job on
the outside must be swell, but it
sure does tell on the looks" one
of the salesgirls in her depart.
ment had said to her, with no
catty intention.
The grapevine system of news
was at work. There was no way
of combat, beyond flat denial.
Straight from the store, with
no lettering or apparent dates"
didn't she heaG at half past 5
each afternoon for the East FIT.
ties?
Still water ran deep. Didn't the
printed sarcasm about "the face
of madonna" bear out that old
saw?
Ann Delafield needed watching.
She was leading a double life.
Thus the report.
Since the publication of the
paragraph, it seemed to her there
was a positive chilliness in the
manner of the Northumberland
ager towards her, on the few occa-
sions Of their meeting during bust
ness hours.
On that wet afternoon some
weeks ago, hadn't he driven her
from the store direct to THE
Laughing Pig?" He had no rea-
son to diSbelieve that she went
there daily as cocktail-hostess,
and were he to make inquiry, a
description of her older sister,
roughly speaking, might we'll ap-
ply to herself.
Impossible to run to him and
say: ut isn't I. It's my sister
Bernice." That would be both of.
ficiouS and disloyal. And it might
merit good snub.
Recollecting the finish of their
conversation at the dance, too.
about business and romance not
mixing, there was no particular
reason for Ann to be in good spir-
its this Christmas afternoon.
She was worried about her SIS
ter. There were rumors anent the
coincidence of Claire and Captain
de Freyne winning so frequently
when they were partners at con-
tract. Suppose some of the more
daring columnists limited at it?
Dare she have a plain talk with
Claire?
That Bernice was no longer the
lovely, laughing girl she had been
at the commencement of her job
was now obvious to Ann. Not only
had she lost large portion of her
looks - dark circles under her
eyes, flabby figure from too many
cocktailS-but she was breaking
her heart over Freddie worthless
Freddie.
II do so want you to be happy
Ann told Bernice, but do you
honestly think that happiness and
Freddie go together, darling?"
Tears sprang to Bernices blue
eyes.
II can't help it, Ann. I'm crazy
about him. I guess if hadn't-if
I hadn't been so-easy-With him.
he would think more of me now"
Ann paled.
Easy? Did she mean cheap in
the way of kisses, of keeping tabs
on him and running after him?
"Bernice, you-you don't mean
-" She couldn't get the words out
She could only stare dumbly at
the sister who once had been so
fresh and lovely to look at, and
who now sat slumped before her
in deep detection, dull eyes staring
out of the windows, ears waiting
for the summons of a telephone
that didn't ring.
"I mean" said Bernice after a
long pause. that now we've lost
our money 1 guess I'm losing
Freddie-and I can't bear it,
She burst into tears.
With a measure of relief mixed
with her sympathy, Ann flew to