The Washington times., 1937-11-26

a late party, and trying TO X
office day afterward, comes b
It even climaxed last evening S
celebration when Carolyn had gone
out-with three escorts. Joyfully,
CAROLYN strewed tissue paper, RIB
bon, string and box lids riotously
over her hard and narrow couch.
She laughed aloud with excite
ment-and then she grew sober.
OF course, she would have to re
turn the $40. No nice girl-at
least no nice girl brought up in a
small town like Perryville-accepts
money from a man. Even If she
has acquired New York sophisti-
cation.
Even if she did have to go to
an exclusive night club-bare-
legged. The run in her last pair OF
stockings had been tragedy, but
she had laughed it off as a ire
mendous joke before the men.
Because she had no stockings,
she had worn her shabby velveteen
Jacket as if it were ermine. Be
cause she had no stockings, she
had carried off her $3.50 evening
dress with a Patou air.
Because she had no stockings,
she had lived UP to old Mr.. NAL
lory's flowery and somewhat
drunken compliments, delighted
shrewd and none too honest Blake
Tartland with her wit, shocked
Everett Warren, the young bust
nessnan from out of town, into
disturbed interest with her non
chalance. They hadn't even
thought Of getting any other girls.
REGRETS KISSES
She wished now that she hadn't
kissed all three men goodnight.
She had eluded Tartland's prac-
ticed lips, given old Mr.. Mallory
a perfumed cheek and kissed
young Everett with sudden, awk-
ward shyneSS.
She hoped Everett hadn't mis-
understood. He was the kind of
young man every girl hopes some
day she will meet. Handsome as
a Greek god, and dependable.
Troubled, she looked for the
donors card. Old Mr.. Mallory'S
was under some wrapping paper,
Tartland's was on the floor.
Everett's turned up beneath a
pillow. How could she have been
so careless? Which man had given
which gift?
Silk stockings might be the kind
ness Of a young man who had sis
ters, or it might be an old mans
leer.
orchids might be a married
mans cynical suggestion that she
take to an easier life.
Money was certainly an insult
though, goodness knows, she could
use 1t.
Tartland must have sent the
money! He cheated his wife with
so many women; he suspected
every one Of his own shabby sins.
It was like him to send money,
tempting her, taunting her, pay
ing her off In that contemptuous
fashion for entertaining his busi-
ness friends. Twenty dollars! It
was temptation.
Indignantly, she showed it into
an envelope, Scrawled the address,
rushed out and mailed it to Tart
land before she could think Of all
the nice things $40 would buy.
When the lid Of the mailbox
clanked on the envelope and the
money her rage against Tartland
grew. She called him up to tell
him just what she thought of him.
RETURNS MONEY
"I called up to say that I mailed
that $40 back to you," she in
formed him, icily.
"You mailed $40 back to me?"
Eyes" She enjoyed his surprise
almost $40 worth. "Old Mr.. NAL
lory sent me orchids, and Mr.. War
ren was kind and thoughtful
enough to give me stockings; but
you-you insulted ="
"Oh, you must have mixed the
cards" Tartland SideStepped,
suavely. 1t was like his quick, sly
brain to hit on the truth and use
it as an alibi.
II knew only you would insult
me with money!"
well, moneys no insult to me-"
he laughed. She could hear him
still laughing as she hung up.
Over the phone old Mr.. Mallory
was courteous and kind-and much
more dignified than he had been
the night before.
THANK you so much for the
flowers, Mr.. Mallory" she en-
Unused, Nothing could have
pleased me more"
But my dear child, I didn't
send you flowers" he explained,
Il have daughters of my own
always wanting to go shopping.
II thought you wouldn't mind
my expressing my appreciation
I hoped you wouldn't mind
taking money from an old man
like me-"
ut was very dear Of you,"
she stammered, with a sinking
feeling that Tartland would think
it a tremendous joke to keep the
twenty and spend it on himself.
When Everett finally called up
she was in such confusion she
didn't get around to voicing her
appreciation Of the stockings. She
was practically exhausted from
rage and despair and her own dis
rrnna.atlnl ln,anlakn..