The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1938-05-20


voice on the other end of the line
she was most concerned about
q fat robin that hoped merrily
to and fro on the line. Suddenly
she was filled with rebellion
why couldn't she, Helen Justin,
be as free as the bird outside?
Helen was suffering an acute ct.
tack Of husbanditis. an Ill which
usually strikes in its most viru.
lent form at those who have not
been married q very long time.
WHY NOT HAVE FUN?
why, yes, jeff" she replied
to the voice on the telephone, II
certainly think so. Oh, Jeff. don't
be silly-you're Just taking me
for . ride-me, an old married
woman" .
The voice, apparently. became
more persuasive, because Helen's
expression changed. After all. why
shouldn't she 60 to dinner with
jeff? Why shouldn't she have a
little fun once in a while? She
recalled Dicks face as he had
left the house that morning
Frowning and furious over some
trtfle-she had made his coffee
too weak something like that.
well, all right, jeff. I'd love
TO. Where do you want me to
meet your" -.
She spent the rest of the after.
noon in Q pleaSurable excitement.
mixed to some extent with shame.
Helen knew that she shouldn't do
this. that II Dick ever found out
She knew, too. that jeff
wouldn't respect her. a married
woman, making a date with him
at least that was what she had
always been taught. and in
Helen's town people still felt that
way.
Helen didn't have to wait long.
Jeff's car slid UP silently, and the
door opened. With the first real
qualm she had experienced, she
got in. It came to her rather sud-
denly, and with realistic bluntneSs,
that Jeff might not be regarding
this expedition as harmless little
flirtation--a light matter between
friends-Maybe he but Helen put
the thought from her mind. If he
was that kind of man she'd lind
out quickly enough, and get out Of
the car. It seemed as simple as
that to her.
RESTAURANT FOR EATING
When they turned off Oak, she
feared for a moment that he was
going to turn into the road leading
out to the country, and was ready
to protest, but the car noSed into
little Ajjacio Street where the
restaurant was located jeff pulled
I'D In. front Of the place, and
parked the car. With little
twfnge,. half relief, and haR disap-
pointment. she realized that he
hadn't even tried to kiss her. al
though by that time it was dark
enough to have assured privacy.
The restaurant. like most small
places of its kind had no diSGinc-
ton of appearance, and Helen was
disappointed. She always asso-
ciated dinner with either super
respectable suburban tearooms.
hotel dining rooms. or one Of the
three cabarets in town. The Red
Rooster. had a family repellent
air Of business, which was gen
uine enough-it was an eating
place pure and simple, and had
no use for frills.
To, her horror, jeff seemed also
to be interested in the food and
wine to the exclusion Of every.
thing else including Helen. With
q frown Of discomfort. she realized
that If she had been with her
husband, both would by now have
ordered their favorite-chicken
chow mein-and would be dancing
to the music of q better than fair
orchestra. Helen began to feel a
very warm regard for Dick. She
forgot how angry she had been
and realized how much happier
she would be if it were he instead
Of JEFF across the table from her.
FOOD, TALK, BORING
The waiter was bending solic.
itously over Jeff's shoulder. and
they were holding worShipful col,
loquy over the merits of the va
rious offerings on the menu. Helen
was frankly disguised.
do you thing, Jacques. the
steak should be four or five min
utes to each side, after searing?"
Jeff asked.
But m'ssieu." The walters
hands rose in horror. What
sacr1leee! Not more than two
little minutes for each side. And
witt, 1t perhaps, nice sound bur
gundy-full and deep"
She threw back her head with a
sigh, and looking over Jeff's Shout
der, her eyes, widened with terror,
looked straight into her hus-
bands
Her hand went to her throat as
she looked at him. Dicks ex'
preston didn't change. There
was a curious sadness as he sat
there with another man at
table across the small room.
She sat, frozen IN her chair, as
jeff continued to fuss over the
bill of fare. and watched Dick.
His eyes, filled with the same sad.
ness. never left hers. She saw
aanrrr that hA Ind HE nnnnnnnnioaa