The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1937-11-11
A TELEPHONE CALL

name. A blind number, she sup
posed.
A TELEPHONE CALL
Next she telephoned the apart
ment building on Fifth Avenue,
and asked to be connected with
the Stoddard apartment. She did
not identify herself, and the oper-
ator refused to put through her
call. Disguised, Karen tossed the
directory on the floor, threw her.
self on the bed and gave herself
up to her misery.
Never before in her whole life
had Karen felt like this. She GOV.
cred her face with her hands, de.
termined not to cry any more.
I've made a baby Of myself for
two days."
She simply would not 60 to
Florida now. But Karen would
not allow herself to admit Why
suddenly Florida seemed so i'm.
possible. AS she lay there the
buzzer on her telephone sounded.
She raised herself on her elbow
and reached for the instrument.
1t was the buffers voice. Judge
Stoddard wishes to speak to you"
1t was seconds before Karen
could trust her voice to answer.
Even when she heard his deep
voice she clenched her free left
hand and hoped that she could
keep her voice casual.
II didn't expect to reach you.
Miss Mallory" Stoddard was say.
ing. But you were great in court:
I'm proud of you"
They talked on in a deSultory
fashion for a time, and then
Karen told him: 1T isn't much
fun, being reformed"
That's where you are wrong,
You just haven't found anything
to do to take the place of barging
about town."
Karen tried to detect something
in his voice that would ENCOURAGES
her to ask him to come and see
her. Suddenly she wanted to talk
with him desperately.
FEEL LIKE WEEPING
She tried to keep her voice
light. You promised me I could
weep on your shoulder"
I keep my promises"
But feel like weeping-right
now"
There was a slight hesitation.
hardly perceptible, but Karen,
knew. Her figure grew linn on
the bed, and only her pride kept
her from breaking down com.
pletely.
Finally stoddard answered: I'm
due at midtown at II O'Clock" he
said. I'D like to drop by for a
little, If you'd like that"
1t was Karen'S turn to hesitate.
Stoddard understood.
I know. I didn't mean that.
Come on for a ride with me for
20 minutes and I'll tell you about
the Mariettos," he said.
I'm sorry I can't ask YOU to
call. Not until father Gains down,
He's pretty angry at you"
Il understand perfectly. I'll
pick you up in Is minutes.
Where?"
"Just stop in front of the house.
I'll be watching"
Karen jumped off the bed and
began opening clothes closets,
throwing out shoes, gloves, hats.
She slipped into a brown velvet
frock, the color of her eyes; set a
tiny hat on her unbelievable hair
threw on her mink coat and was
ready.
At last-minute inspection she
dabbed on some of her loveliest
perfume. nodded approvingly at
the radiant sight of herself in the
mirror.
Then Karen ran downstairs,
lodging the servants, and she hid
behind the curtains in the library
until she saw Stoddard's car slow
down. She was out the front door
quickly.
SHE MEETS DICK
Feeling just pleasantly guilty,
Karen skipped down the sidewalk
as Dick Stoddard leaned forward
to watch her. She was just slen.
der, dark silhouette against the
deep facade Of the great Mallory
with its closely curtained
windows from which she had just
stepped.
To Stoddard there was an I'M
reality about his being here, watt
ing for the Mallory girl. A self
made judge from the lower East
Side. He held the door open for
her. Good girl" he greeted her.
ITO Be COntinued)
Copyright. 1881, Public Ledger
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