The Washington times., 1937-10-21

TIM to meet Gerry.
Love can come like that-au at
once, can't it?"
1T came that way to me" Mrs.
Thayer answered quietly, "and it
was a beautiful experience. But
now you mustn't worry because 1
have a plan. The Frasers won't
be occupying their apartment un-
til they return from Newport next
month"
The Frasers?"
"They have the penthouse, ex.
quisitely furnished. I have the
keys ..."
Gerry's face frightened. "'And
we will pretend that is our home?
Oh, mother, you're a miracle
worker"
At $3.50 the telephone rang. Mr..
WinSlow was calling.
"I came to show you the ropes,
Gerry smiled brightly, taking
WinSlow by the hand. She led
him to the small Self-running ele-
vator that served the penthouse
occupant. He appeared to hesi-
tate. It's safe enough"
They entered and she pushed
the button. "Next time you can
do it yourself" she said.
Gerry's mother, in a dinner
goWn-relic of better days-was
reading by the soft glow af a
priceless Chinese lamp.
This is Stephen Winslow,
mother"
The mother measured the young
man as he acknowledged the in
PRODUCTION. Yes, he seemed to be
all that Gerry had said.
FINE EVENING
That evening was all that
mother and daughter had wished
for. Winslow talked Interestingly
of his spring trip to China.
Then the three of them went
into the big dining room where
the table was cleaning with the
Fraser's best linen and silver. In
a wine bucket was the champagne,
chilled to just the right tempera-
ture.
I'm afraid you will have to
open it, Mr.. Winslow." Mrs.
Thayer said as Gerry and she sat
down.
Then I'll tackle it in the pan
try" he laughed. It once deco
rated our ceiling with cham
pagne."
He left them. Gerry reached
over and squeezed her mothers
hand but Mrs. Thayer put warn
ing finger to her lips and picked
up the salad fork and spoon. pass
your plate, DEAR" she said.
Gerry picked up the plate but it
never reached her mothers hand.
Instead, it went crashing to the
floor as she half rose. fear staring
out of her eyes.
A man, who had entered the
apartment unheard, was standing
in the doorway.
What does this mean?" he de-
manded.
At that moment Stephen Win
slow came out of The pantry. The
stranger looked up quickly, then
his CONSERVATION turned to sur
prise.
Uncle John!" Stephen cried,
setting the bottle down and go
ing toward the older man with
outstretched hand. This is a SUR
prise. I didn't expect you back
for weeks.
"I want you to meet my guests,
Mrs. Thayer and her daughter,
Gerry. You see I took Aunt Emma
up on her offer to let me use the
apartment.
"I have met Mrs. Thayer," said
Fraser, bowing but not unbend-
ing. "She is the -"
"Yes-she is the housekeeper
here. And we are just having a
bite of supper. Won't you join
us, Uncle John?"
CRUEL PRANK
Thanks, but think viii turn
in" he smiled. I'm returning to
Newport in the morning after
conference. Make yourselves at
home"
When he was gone, Gerry
Jumped up and ran around to
Stephen.
''If this is your idea of a prank,
then 1 hope you have had your fun.
Personally I Think think it was
pretty cruel of you. You could
have told me you knew about
mother and me. Come, mother" !"
/ Gerry" he said earnestly, 7
never meant to hurt you. I didn't
know my uncle was coming home.
1 wasn't going to let you know for
a long time that I knew every
thing. I've known all about you
ever since our first meeting"
"H-how did you find out?"
"I asked the doorman after I
followed you home the other day I
felt it was all a lark with you and
that I might never see you again.
couldn't let you go out of my life
that way. Gerry. look at me-" Un-
willingly Gerry lifted her eyes and
when Stephen saw the hurt in
them he caught her to him.
Little lunatic," he laughed soft.
ly. Don't you know that when a
fellow loves a girl the way I love