Show due time by QUEENA POLLACK mcclure Syndi syndicate cale service will these men learn to ask one in time complained anne hartley her blue eyes flashing aishe as she hung up the receiver with a gesture of disgust what now languid lady fr from am the south queried the brisk and bustnes businesslike nes lillian foster who had entered the office offic ein in time to hear the question bless roe me child its almost saturday noon A whole glorious weekend week end free and I 1 still hear you wailing about the fact that men dont give you time enough to consider whether you wish to accept their invitations its not that exactly countered anne her southern inheritance of loyalty flashing to the foreground etwas it was jim again always ringing me to go to the game with him on the very morning of the day it happens and am I 1 to understand that for the third time this season youve r refused e to g go 0 with jim because h he e asked you at the last moment the older girl interrupted yes listen lady lillian said reverting to her har pet name for the little southern girl she fostered foste redin in the office atmosphere youre leaving jim to the mercies of some other girl who understand him nearly as well as you noll no cried anne impulsively 1 I dont believe so I 1 know hed rather have me than anyone else and if he cant take me hell probably go alone its not that he neglects to ask me intentionally hes so busy so engrossed in m his work he just counts on me and jim must be taught by curt refusals to come round to my way of thinking about engagements he will probably be taught to think of engagements with someone else lillian impatiently replied suddenly the telephone jangled mechanically Mechanic aUy lillian lifted the hook hello dear a pleading voice echoed its jim again I 1 want you to reconsider your refusal anne just a moment jim ill put anne on the wire replied lillian coldly oh lil dont freeze me so he called over the wire while silence filled the room As lillian swung the telephone over to anne their eyes met anne looked a little whiter than usual determined to show lillian that she meant what she said in argument a few moments before she spoke slowly into the mouthpiece 1 I heard you tell lil what you wanted jim its iti no use asking me gain again 1 I 1 told you I 1 am unable to go 90 this afternoon I 1 have so many things to do the clock pointed twelve already lillian was ready to leave the office her trim turban and smart f fur coat made her look ready for gay ety she slipped into the outer aute r office an and d mumbled on the telephone 0 ne in a very soft voice for a few moments before she went after a scanty lunch which tasted like paste itself to her anne went to her boarding house home while sunbeams beckoned luringly through the windows of her room anne set herself to performing a few personal chores she always left for sunday morning finally when the sun faded into twilight she went out for dinner As she was entering the little inn nearby she ca caught u sight of a happy crowd pr presumably e suma coming from the game she felt wretched and her misery strengthened when she saw lillian and jim smiling confidentially at each other though not of suspicious nature anne found herself jealous but absurd she thought but tantalizing thoughts stabbed at her until she arrived at the office on monday morning ready for the new week and ready for lillians explanation lillian offered none perhaps she does not know that I 1 saw them the m together anne pondered the bulk of the mall mail was already opened and sorted when jim called anne this is jim brady anne I 1 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 lie 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 carefully ly in advance of the event came from jim had lillian told him of their discussion and warned him in time curiously she found herself not enjoying the gathering of gayety gaiety she attended with jim was gone A warmth about their relationship tion ship was lost the impulsive happiness she used to sense in his presence toned down to routine corning coming from a dance one evening she was meditating almost bitterly when jim looked quietly at her and said 1 I want vant to marry you anne her heart stopped its clamorous beating as she cried expectantly when in due time when I 1 consider and you can prepare oh make it now tomorrow she implored breathlessly as her arms armb curled around his neck in defiance of time or place happiness is a swift stream I 1 want to be caught in very every minute with you jim |