The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1937-04-23

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girls to provide cars. "a man that
would take money from a woman,
in my day, was considered beneath
contempt. And man today, that
will allow a woman to provide a
car"
Marie went upstairs. Shed go
to bed and read. There was moth
ing else to do.
Edward was so difficult lately.
He'd either be in wild spirits, plan
ming something impossible, or he'd
be down in the dumps, refusing to
say word.
Men whom she'd never seen be.
fore, good looking, sport-clad
youths in roadsters, honked out
side the house. Edward would drop
whatever he was doing, slip his
gray flannel coat over his sleeve
less sweater, and be gone.
No one else seemed to know or
care who these men were, or where
Edward went with them. II never
interfere, I trust my children"
Mrs. Wilson told Marie sternly,
when once or twice she ventured
to ask.
Edwards own answers were
equally unenlightening. "Oh-just
a fellow I know-no one you'd be
interested in"
Lying in bed, weary of reading,
conscious of the lateness of the
hour, wondering and worrying
about Edward, Marie dozed and
woke and dozed again.
Something woke her from
heavy sleep. She sat up, conscious
that it was nearly morning, that
Edward had not come in.
There was babel of voices, the
sound of a window closing, and
then, Enthusiastically, Mr.. wilson's
heavy step descending the inner
stairs.
She put on her kimono and slip
pers, and went to the door. Her
heart thumped painfully. Edward
something had happened to
Edward
There was a bright light in the
hall. In it's glare old Mr.. Wilson,
halfway down the stairs, seemed
smaller, more Intellectual than
ever. His thin white hair-the hair
that he kept brushed so neatly al
ways, was in wisps over his fore
head, his florid face was scarlet.
He tied the cottony cord Of his
red and brown patterned bathrobe
tighter and tighter about his
meager waist.
The front door was shut, Bea-
trice leaned against it, arms out
flung:
"You will not speak to him!"
"Then you come in here and let
him go home where he belongS!"
HE can't walk home" the girl
said, passionately, but keeping her
voice scarcely above whisper.
HE can't walk home-it's too
late. Can you understand English?
It's too late!"
The man took two steps down
the stairs. He put the same foot
forward each time-like a child.
IF you come down here-if you
dare to say another word I1l-Ill
walk out of this house and never
come back"
Marie leaned against the door
way to the room, sick at heart.
Edward wasn't In this. It was
something about Richie and Bee,
she knew. And Bee would do some
thing desperate. Why couldn't her
father see it? Why did he keep
goading her, coming closer?
Two more steps. Mr.. Wilson
was coming downstairs. '1'm boss
of this house, and I'll show YOU"
"You make any more noise
you come one bit closer and I'll"
the girl screamed.
Beatrice! Claude" Mountainous
in old rose corduroy the mother
thrust her head over the railing.
With her streaming gray hair, her
swollen, Sleep distorted face, she
was scarcely recognizable as neat
Mrs. Wilson.
Past Marie she strobe, slippers
Tapping, and down the stairs to
her husband. Have you lost your
mind? What is it? And Beatrice.
it's half past four. never heard
of such a time to get home. And
you know you have to get the
$40 as usual"
"Oh, Mom," Bee screamed
you're so funny! Don't stand
there looking at me. I'm here!
I'm safe! We were merely late, at
a party! There's Marie upstairs,
too-the life of a goldfish! Just
call off Pop-for heavens sake,
before I go completely crazy. Put
him in bed-sit on him-gag him
take him AWAY"
Her voice wasn't pitched low
any more. She was screaming at
the top of her lungs. So vas Mr..
Wilson, but she so outdid him,
you couldn't hear what he was
saying.
Marie passed the two on the
stairs, she ran to the hysterical
girl. please come, Become up
to bed-whatever it is, the morn
ing. will be time enough"
Bee flung off her arm. "Let me
alone! If you must do something,
get Nom and Pop upstairs if you
can. All I'm trying to do is get
away from hem. I want to drive
Ritchic over to his hotel-if that
isn't a crime!"
| The front door opened. They
all jumped. Bee looked as if she