The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1937-10-16

kCdQ ana anticipate QeT thoughts
and actions. Then he wouldn't be
30 darn scared and nervous right
now.
LOVELY GIRL
To ease his nerves, Joe thought
Of Mimi for a moment. His chest
Bwelled till he nearly lost his bal
Bnce and tumbled backward into
the tub. For Mimi was 10, little
and lovely.
She walked in Joe's office, and
her radiant smile and friendly
greetings had long ago stirred in
Joe a great desire to take her out
Bomewhere-sometime.
Today proved the sometime,
when, out of the blue, $50 loan
Joe made months ago was re-
turned. So, without waiting to
reason. Joe had dashed to Minis
desk and asked her to lunch.
After Mimi had said she'd Sim
ply adore going" Joe tingled. He
smoothed down the fringes around
his bald pate.
Pulled in his diaphragm to
conceal the mamma-kangaroo-
strolling.her.twins profile, and de-
cided he didn't look a day over
forty, after all.
And later, when Mimi nestled
close to Joe as they sat in the
booth at the Tavern, Joe beamed.
When Mimi touched his hand and
called him lawfully, sweet" Joe
was young again.
A bit self conscious, Joe had
glanced at the curves beneath
Minis snug fitting dress, and
shifted in the faint exotic per-
fume she wore, until his imagina.
ton traversed into the far corners
it hadn't known in years.
How about us going to The
Follies' Saturday night?" Joe
asked Mimi under the spell of his
new-found exuberance. When
Mimi said she'd simply adore"
that too, Joe ordered another cock
tail and added.
Look, here's money, you get
the tickets. Best in the house.
Then, all we have. to do is keep
thinking up alibiS for me to give
my pinch-penny war department
for my not coming home nights,
and you and can go places this
Winter"
Joe had laughed at his own
suggestion. 1t was going to be fun
seeing a show. Laughing again.
But when they started to leave
the Tavern all the laughter died
within Joe.
NEIGHBOR WOMAN
For there at the next table, with
In perfect hearing distance was
woman who stared and smiled
knowingly. Joe hadn't been able
to place Mrs. Stanton then,
though her face was familiar and
she said; Hello, Mr.. Clark"
Then vaguely it came to Joe.
The woman was some neighbor
crony of Hattie's who'd undoubt-
edIy Scurry across town to tell
Hattie all she'd heard Mimi and
Joe laugh about. Joe was panicky
Vlsualizing the resultant battle
with Hattie, and the repercussions
that would blast at him for life.
For an eternal minute Joe tried
to think. Then seeing the WON.
ans shabby clothes, the glass of
stale beer before her, evidently
dawdled over too long, Joe got an
idea.
Taking $50 from his pocket and
feeling like a movie actor, Joe
tucked the money in her hand,
saying: Maybe you can use this.
It's hush money"
Only the woman apparently
hadn't hushed She was in his
living room. this very minute. tell
ing Hattie every word about his
calling Hattie a pinch-penny war
department, about his wanting
Mimi to think up alibis for him.
Quite suddenly. Joe was burnt
up. He'd lost $50 and a lot of
Eelf-respect. Why should be cover
In his own bathroom, afraid of
Hatties reactions to something
that hadn't harmed anyone, but
had frightened his own dull life
q little.
GOING STAGNANT
They were his earnings to save
or squander. His mind was going
-