Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-06-16
''The Insider "
BY Virginia Terhune Van de
Water
CHAPTER LXI
Copyright, 1917. Star Company.


ker that he did not doubt my word
when I insisted that 1 did not object
to his remaining with me. He was
so sincere himself that he believed
in the sincerity of others.
Instead of questioning the first part
of my statement, he challenged the
latter part.
Not sane and normaP!" he re-
peated. But have always thought
you were. You seem to enjoy every
thing in a thoroughly natural man
ner. You seem to get the good out
of things-as you should do"
"Out of some things-yes, I ad-
mitted. For instance, l have en-
joyed all the good times at Hillcrest
this summer-but, you see, I have
never been used to such times"
He made no comment, and I con-
very simply with my father, and
that after his death 1 came right
to the Nortons. But have not told
you that at the time Mr.. Norton
engaged me I was almost penniless-
wondering what would be come of
me if I got no position at once"
Poor grill" he murmured. NO
l did not know matters were as bad
as that"
They were," I affirmed. 80 it is
no sign of normality or sanity that
l have enjoyed the comfort of this
place. l have never known such lux
ury before. And now-I am begin
ming to fear I could not get along
without it. YETI
l stopped awkwardly. I must not
intimate to him the price I might
have to pay for these iuXuries If 1
continued here.
Don't you love pleasant things
yourself?" I asked, almost defiantly.
But, then. you are not like me-for
you are accustomed to Them
Not to pleasures on the scale
that the rich know" he said. MY
cozy little home together pretty
cottage, I think-but that may b.
because I am so fond of it. We are,
however, in moderate circumstances.
We keep but one servant and no
automobile. Yet we have enough
money to provide US with many of
the wholesome pleasures of life
books, for instance-and we hope
that as the years pass I may make
more money. My income last year
was more than the year before. This
coming year it promises to be more
still. But I shall probably never
be wealthy like-Mr. Norton, for in
stance"
You will probably be happier" I
declared. II envy you.
"Why?" he asked.
A Contrast
Because" / said, bitterly. swept
on by a consciousness of his SYM
pathy, you have your mother. you
have a home, you are dependent
upon nobody. Whereas IL have
nothing"
Nothing" he echoed, and I fam
cied his voice quivered a little. You
have a good position. with a salary
mighty we'll. Forgive me for saying
that-but have often noticed how
beautifully you dress-more beauti-
fully than any other girl I know"
The speech was as naive as If
Tom, and not a man CT Hugh Par
ker's age. had made it. 1t was so
honest that I was ashamed to recall
that my salary had paid for very
few of the clothes he admired. 7
started to speak, but he resumed
before I could do SO.
And everybody is fond of you.
Surely, you must feel that this is
genuine home to you. Tom re-
CARDS you as sister. So. sup
pose. does little Grace. I don't know
about Mrs. Gore-but she seems to
feel kindly toward you. While Mr..
Norton
please don't talk about him!" 1
exclaimed impetuously.
The instant I had uttered the
words could have bitten my tongue
out to recall them, but it was too
late.
What do you mean?" Hugh de-
manded. Surely, he is good to
oyu?"
"Yes. yes" I said hastily; "he is
good to me, of course"
I stood up as If to end the inter-
view. I was on dangerous ground.
But my companion detained me by
his voice. although he did not touch
me.
please stay" he pleaded, as I
had pleaded with him only a few
moments earlier. "I must be honest
with you. have no right to ques-
ton you-but I saw an expression
it was almost like an expression
of fear-on your face this afternoon
and 1t made me wonder If you are
worried or unhappy. You were
standing on the veranda with Mr..
Norton-and just as l caught sight
of you"-
DON'T" calculated. "I can't
talk about 1t! Let us go in now!"
He did not seem to hear my re-
mark.
His Great Secret
There is only one thing more I
want to say" he urged. I had never
heard just that note in his voice
before, and held my b~cath less 1
lose a single infection. The thing
I have to say is this If you are
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