The Washington times., 1937-04-19


your worried, ashamed
Mother"
"P.S.: should have said bring
Edward, if you wish. don't think
he ought to come, but if he wants
to he can come. I hope he will
excuse me for the things I said
when he was here. I really didn't
mean it the way it sounded.
Write me air mail or did you use
I'm all the stamps when you were
writing to him? No, I don't mean
that! I'm not trying to criticize.
Any letters will do. But come for
a few days-right away. If I
don't get a real answer saying
YOU are coming, I'm coming up
there to see for myself"
OF course Julie wouldn't come
she wouldn't do a thing like
that. Marie told herself, knowing
perfectly well that it was exactly
the sort of thing Julie would do.
The thought kept her on pins
and needles.
Her mother and Charlie walk
ing I'D the wilson's front steps.
Her mother, in the black suit that
was a little too tight fitting, the
smart little hat over one eye,
silver fox over her shoulder, gold
mesh bag in her hand-looking
at plump little Mrs. Wilson,
dowdy and worn and disapprov-
ing. suspicion in her eye.
Charlie humming, i'll at ease
and self-effacing, in spite Of his
loud tie and the broad gold watch
chain, and the row Of black cigars
in his vest pocket. Little, ag-
gressive, stoopshouldered Mr.. Will
son challenging him, talking
loud.
She and Edward caught be-
tween them-jammed in a wise
between them, unable to escape
without hurting som one
ashamed, and suffering . =. maybe
blaming each other a little. -.
CHAPTER XVII
No, it couldn't be. Julie just
couldn't come.
Edward" she told him,
mothers worried that she did the
wrong thing sending me up here,
and she sort of wants me to come
back, and stay with her until
you're really on your feet"
He was changing into old
clothes, to wear to the service sta
ton. He sat down on the bed, to
take off his best white buck shoes.
"Sort Of slow on the trigger. isn't
Ste?''
what do you mean?"
~ told her all that. She couldn't
see it at the time"
MN. that's what she said.
She said she thought you were
very sensible, and she's sorry she
was stupid about it. Of course, she
doesn't expect me TO give you up,
or anything-what did you say?
And she said I could bring you, too,
only she sort of wanted me to
come, for a weekend, or some
thing, to talk things over"
what thingS?"
''Well-different things"
OO you WdIlG 10 go!
"Just that she wanted to. talk
things over"
How about Bees tea Saturday?
And Mons family dinner for us
on sunday? And I can't go any.
way-not even for a weekend. You
could, Of course, except that we
could use the dough you'd spend
and it's kind Of unusual, the bride
leaving in the middle Of the honey
moon, isn't it? Though, of course,
II you want to go"
Not wouldn't do. She couldn't
leave Edward, not even for a week
end. Not even to get away from
his mother.
"I can talk her out Of it," she
said.
But could she2 That was the
question.
Meanwhile, Marie kept thinking
Of the Helene who had 'phoned Ed
ward a few days before. :.
She'd made up her mind not to
ask a single question about this
Helene, partly because she wasn't
going to be one Of those jealous
wives, and principally because Bee
and Mrs. Wilson kept bringing UP
the subject, waiting for her to ask
questions.
For two long days and nights
she kept to her resolve, but on the
next night Eddie was a little late
getting home. Helene Shiller
Imped in with a puncture just as
we were closing, so took her home.
Shed like to meet you sometime,
honey"
"Oh! That would be nice. I mean
If she'd like me. Did she mind very
much-your getting married, I
mean?"
who? Helene" He threw back
his head and laughed. That's
good. She'd die at that! Gosh,
baby, what would Helene Shiller
want to be married for?"
Marie drew back a little. Ed
ward acted so queer'y about
things sometimes. Why shouldn't t
Helene or any one else want to
get married?
Edward dismissed the question,
once and for all. Listen, honey
this is a great big world. Helene
was married once-so she's got
that off her mind. She"
'Divorced?"
"YOu sound just like Mom2
Sure, why not! And nice, fat
alimony-that stops if she mar
Ties again, SO, as far as know
she's not looking for husband.