The guardian. [volume] (Boston, Mass.) 1901-1960, 1940-08-31
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By QUEENA POLLACK
Mcclure syndicate-WNU Service.)

CIV HEN will these men learn
to ask one in timer" COM
planned Anne Hartley, her blue eyes
flashing, as she hung up the receiv-
er with a gesture of disgust.
What now, languid Lady from the
South?" queried the brisk and bust
nesslike Lillian Foster, who had en-
tered the Office in time to hear the
question. "Bless me, child, it's al
most Saturday noon. A whole glo-
rlous weekend free and l still hear
you wailing about the fact that men
don't give you time enough to con-
slider whether you wish to accept
their invitations"
It's not that exactly" countered
Anne, her Southern inheritance of
loyalty flashing to the foreground.
1T was Jim again. Always ringing
me to go to the game with him on
the very morning of the day it hap
pens. And"
Am l to understand that for the
third time this season you've re-
fused to go with Jim because he
asked you at the last moment" the
older girl interrupted.
yes"
Listen, Lady," Lillian said, re-
verting to her pet name for the lit
tie Southern girl she fostered in the
office atmosphere, you're leaving
Jim to the mercies of some other
girl who doesn't understand him
nearly as well as you"
moi" cried Anne, impulsively.
Il don't believe that's so. know
he'd rather have me than anyone
else, and, if he can't take me, he'll
probably 60 alone. It's not that he
neglects to ask me Intentionally.
He's so busy, so engrossed in his
work, he just counts on me. And
Jim must be taught by curt refusals
to come round to my way of think
ing about engagements"
He will probably be taught to
think of engagements with someone
else," Lillian impatiently replied.
Suddenly the telephone tangled.
Mechanically, Lillian lifted the hook.
Hello, dear" a pleading voice
echoed. cts Jim again. l want
you to reconsider your refusal,
Anne"
"Just moment, Jim. I'll put
Anne on the WIRE" replied Lillian
coldly.
"Oh, Lii, don't freeze me So" he
called over the wire, while palpi-
tant silence filled the room. AS Lii
liam swung the telephone over to
Anne, their eyes met. Anne looked
a little winter than usual. Deter
mined to show Lillian that she meant
what she said in argument few
moments before, she spoke slowly
into the mouthpiece.
81 heard you tell Lii what you
wanted, Jim. It's no use asking
me again. l told you l am unable
to go this afternoon. 1 have Sc
many things to do"
The clock pointed twelve. Already
Lillian was ready to leave the of.
flee. Her trim turban and smart fur
coat made her look ready for gay.
ETY.. She slipped into the outer office
and mumbled on the telephone in a
very soft voice for few moments
before she went.
After scanty lunch which tasted
like paste itself to her, Anne went
to her boarding house home.
While sunbeams beckoned Turing.
ly through the windows of her room,
Anne set herself to performing g
few personal chores she always left
for Sunday morning. Finally, when
the sun faded into twilight, she went
out for dinner. AS she was enter.
ing the little inn nearby, she caught
sight of a happy crowd, presuma.
bly, coming from the game. She felt
Wretched, and her misery strength.
ened when she saw Lillian and jim
smiling confdentially at each other
Though not of suspicious nature
Anne found herself jealous.
"But that's absurd" she thought
But tantalizing thoughts stabbed al
her until she arrived at the office or
Monday morning, ready for the new
week and ready for Lillian's expla.
nation.
Lillian offered none. perhaps she
does not know that l saw them to.
gether," Anne pondered. The bulk
of the mail was already opened
and sorted when Jim called Anne.
"This is Jim Brady, Anne. want
to ask you to come to the game
with me on the coming Saturday.
Anne gasped internally at the use
of his full name and formality of the
invitation. Politely, she accepted
and waited for talk of the previous
game, which was not forthcoming
For almost a month, a steady
stream of invitations given careful
ly in advance of the event came
from Jim. Had Lillian told him o.
their discussion and warned him il
time?