The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1937-11-15


and toss her head. But she waa5
watching Dicks table. She couldk
see he was paying the check, and
shortly Marcia and Dick left the
dining room. Karen wanted dess
perately to go nome, but SEEING
Pings dour face she thought bet.
ter OF pressing that point. ST
When the party finally broke up
1t was long after midnight. Gall
dropped Karen and Ping and Ping
insisted on coming in for a little
Il want to talk to you, Karen,
She did not object, and in tbs
drawing room before the fire they,
had hot chocolate for Karen
whiskey and soda for Ping. -
"You're lovely tonight" vase
what Ping wanted to say, but his
anger at Karen prevented him. If
he hao said that, things might.
have been different. Instead, hss
said: That was hell of a thing
you did tonight, Karen!"
He set down his glass and stood
up by the mantle, watching the,
fire play on her face. tx
Why? What was so terriblay:
about that?"
You'll see. I'll bet 10 bucks TO-
Will be in the papers! The whole,
dance floor was watching youl1'
Karen, when will you learn somes
Sense!" :
He paced up and down, fighting
his desire to take her in his arms.
But ne would not give in this time -
shed gone too far. His mother,
was right. =
Karen, you've got to make urr IL ,
your mind. When are you going,
to marry me?" -
Marry you?"
The words sounded strange to
Karen. Shed almost forgotten
about being engaged to Ping. His
ring was suddenly heavy on her,
hand. ''
I've been patient. I feel I have, IA
right to an answer. You've nl,k.
me over the jumps Just once too,.
often. I've tried to be reasonable
and ! think you'll admit I was
about Serge" ~,
ling" 4 ~
7 talked it over with Mother =
today" -.
Those were the wrong words
again. Often they'd worked before. :
6ut tonight Karen no longer cared.
about anything but Dick. @=7'-1o
I feel we must. have an uuder.rs
standing. I've waited year. What
do you Say?" -
BREAKING ENGAGEMENT ~ ~
Karen, looking up at Ping, sud-
denly felt sorry for him. But there
was nothing she could do, She.
did not love him. She must enH-.r
THIS farce right now. 1t would
take courage. Karen hated people
TO be displeased with her, hated
to hurt those who loved her. ~
I'm always making people UNI
happy" she thought. Slowly she
slipped off her ring. She held il
out to him. 1t lay in the smalIS
palm of her hand, a gorgeous, glit-
tering bauble. -
I can't, Ping"
ring was speeches. for a mo-
ment. Then he almost shouted:
Put that ring back on!" f.1t
NO, Ping, I'm serious. I should
nave told you before" ~
what do you mean?" az
I mean I don't love you. Pins. =,
I'm sorry. I've tried hard. But Il
is no good" ~
Ping, breathing hard, struggled
70 Keep control of himself. He did.
not take all this seriously, but sud..,s
denly he felt afraid. She sat therA =
SO sure. so serene, SO gorgeous. -
You don't love me? Karen, you-ss<
lie!' 'O~ :,
She stood up regretfully and2.
went over to him. She still had
tne ring IN her hand. Ping, it iSt1'
better for me to be honest with +,
later" "a
Pings lips tremble d. mo. 2
Karen. Don't say it. You DON'T
me2n it. You don't know what
you're saying" "a
Il do. Ping. dear. do. That is
the trouble. I'm so sure. I'd JUST
be cheating you to marry you"
He dropped onto the sofa and
put his head in his hands. He
was trembling visibly. Karen went
over to ham and smoothed his 9,
halr. He jumped at her touch.
and raised a piteous face. {"
You're In love with somebody ).
else!" The thought seemed to
strike him with the force Of a
thunderbolt. you can't be-.
Karen! I can't go on without
you"
Ping, please" Karen's eyes had
tears in them. 1t was worse than :
she had imagined it would be. -
She took his hand and held it
tight. You're a grand person. >
Ping. You need. a real break,
You'll get it. I couldn't make
you happy. Your mother senses >
1t. I'm sure she does. She did !
from the beginning" n.
From the beginning? Didn't
you ever love me?" -
Karen felt now honesty was the
best thing. Il thought I did.