The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1937-04-24

"No, thanks, no toast" she said
crisply. Just my orange juice
and coffee. Black, Mom-black!
NO CREAM"
Mrs. Wilson grumbled about
people who denied themselves
proper nouriShment to keep thin.
Mr.. Wilson carefully folded the
outside section of the paper (ne
always left the women's pages,
with the ads, for his wife) and
put it into his pocket. Getting
late" he called to Bee, "Werner's
down to the corner already"
Bee glanced at her wrist watch.
Hes early-un!eSs my watch is
slow"
She gathered up her things.
Finish your coffee" her mother
begged, land just bite Of toast.
dear-just a bite-to please me. l"
mo time. Sorry-if Werner's
at the corner, the trains almost
here. I'll have to run now. 'Bye!"
She was gone, leaving a trail OF
Christmas night behind her.
Marie drank tcr coffee, finished
her toast. She looked again at
Mrs. Wilson adding some jam to a
highly buttered roll.
Am I completely mad? she won
dered. Did dream it?
But she didn't dream 1t. At the
dinner table that night nerves
were strained, answers sharp. For
once Bee announced her intention
of not going out. Going to catch
up on my beauty Sleep" she said.
IT could do with a little sleep,
too" Edward said.
But you didn't get UP till 10!
You had more than anyone" his
mother cried, land I want to take
book back to the library! i!
mean, the main library downtown!
It's one 1 got to look up cathe-
drals, for the Tuesday club and
it's overdue now"
eve might just drive over" Ma
RE suggested. 1T wouldn't take
long, Edward" After a day in
the house she was anxious to be
out. if only for a few moments.
"Well-" Mrs. Wilson sal d
grudgingly-"I did think that
Eddie and I could just hurry over,
but if you want to come, Marie,
and Eddie wants to drive us"
Eddie yawned. "Oh, all right,
all right. Get your hats on. girls"
Mrs. Wilson hesitated. Il did
think I'd do the dishes first"
Not if you want me to Drive
you"
Maybe I'd better stay and
wash them" Marie suggested,
doubtfully.
"Oh, come on" Edward said,
you know you don't want to-.
Want to come for a ride, Pop?"
It was the first time since he
put up half the money for the Car
he'd never learned to drive, that
he'd given up the chance to go for
a ride. 1t was Edwards joke that
he'd ride up and down the block
in front of the house if no one
suggested taking him anywhere
else.
Wonder what's the matter with
Pop" Edward said, as they started
down the street.
No one knew, and no one seemed
much interested.
Mrs. Wilson brought back her
book on cathedrals, and took out
one on Westminster Abbey that
everyone, including herself, knew
she'd never read.
Wonder what got into Pop"
Edward said again.
Il think he wants to speak to
Bee" his mother said, primiy.
About what2"
Mrs. Wilson looked toward
Marie, the stranger, and said
in a low voice. HE did say last
night that he planned to see
Richie Huntsman today"
"Oh, my Lord" Edward said,
and stepped on the gas.
Marie held tight to her hat She
didn't know exactly what it was
all about, but it was plain that
poor Mr.. Wilson was just stirring
up more trouble with Bee, and
there'd be another fight on when
they got back.
But she was wrong. 1t was over.
The living room was very quiet
when they came in. Mr.. Wilson
sat in his favorite chair, holding
the newspaper up before him. His
thin old face was dull purplish
color, and he looked like Il sick
man.
Claude" his wife said, Claude
you didn't-have words with
Bee?"
Marie started upstairs, but half
way up she met Bee coming down.
Come" Bee said, you heard the
first of this-you may as we'll be
in on the finish"
Holding the girl firmly by the
arm, she walked across the little
square patch of hall into the liv-
ing room.
She said. Pop went to Ritchie
Huntsman's bank today. He's just
told me. You can imagine how
Ritchie felt about that"
Mr.. Wilson began to bluster,
He made it clear how he felt!
He said no word of marriage was
ever spoken between you! And you
can imagine how I felt, to know
my daughter was liar, for much
as l hated to admit 1t, I saw he
was telling the truth"
Bee let him finish. She was COM
pletely calm, and mistress of her.
self She lust looked white. and