Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-01-22
THE ENEMY
by
George Randolph Chester and
Lillian Chester
Author of
"THE BALL OF FIRE." etc.
Copyright, 1915,
Hearst International Library.
Newspaper Rights,
international Feature Service.
(Continued)

curving lashes came down over her
eyes, and the hand which lay in Har-
rison Stuart's clasped his own, in
fondness.
"She has, then" He surmised 1T
from her downcast eyes, from her
confusion from her silence, and, for
a moment, he bowed his head. This
was a humiliation which hurt more
than all his other hurts!
"Only Just now, Daddy" She edged
closer to him, and drew Billy with her.
"It was not until the night Billy -
went away" and this time 1t was
Billy's turn for self-abasement. OF
the three, Tavy alone, clear-eyed,
clear souled Tavy, had no cause for
self-reproach, and yet she was as
ashamed as they, and this added the
more to their guilt.
Then you know that, in one case
at least, marrying man to reform
him was a failure" He spoke quick
ly. as he grappled with the problem
which confronted them. lie put hurt
pride away from him. BILLY believes
in himself, and you believe in him,
but your father and mother are going
to insist that Billy must prove his
strength before, not after, he has
taken your happiness in his hands"
Both young people were silent and
sombre-ey but there was certain
squaring of Billy's mouth which in
diCated some strong resolution In
him. I'm going to propose plan"
Tavy's father went on. Il have yet
some time before | can announce
myself as Harrison Stuart. l must be
sure that there can be no further
stain attached to that name before
[ take it to my wife,"
why, Daddy" Tavy turned to
him in establishment. You talk as
though you were going to stay here!
wouldn't go home to Mummy with
out you! oh, she'll be so happy,
Daddy!" and. reaching up. she press
ed her warm face against his cold
one, and patted his other cheek.
Not yet, Tavy dear. Why, only
to-day l would have fallen, had not
God sent you to me just in time.
dare not go to Jean so long as this
danger threatens me. Every day
fight this battle, and, until ] win, your
mother must not know that 1 am
alive. [ must have your promise for
that. You see why, don't you?"
A pressure of the hand was his
only answer. Tavy's eyes were swim
ming with tears. Poor Mummy, poor
Mummy! And poor Daddy! And poor
Billy! And poor Tavy!
Il shall win, however" There was
the ring of confidence in his voice.
You must go home, Tavy. and Billy
with me. Then when we are perfect
ly sure of ourselves, we will come to
you, side by side. How about it,
Billy?"
The two men looked at each other
for moment, and then they shook
hands, across Tavy, and she was a
very, very happy little girl, for one
with so many tears in her eyes.
1T will be the first real secret
ever had from Mummy" she Won
dered. "I don't know how 1 shall
ever keep it!'
"You will have more" and now
there was eXultation in his tone. 81
have you, Tavy, and that is a joy |
had not dared to hope for until the
for clandestine meetings with Billy
and me, and We'll buy a beautiful
house for Mummy, and spend the
time in fitting it up, so that we may
take her home like a royal princess
when the happiest day of my life
arrives"
Tavy clapped her hands at that
and laughed like a child. 1t was such
glorious trick to play on Mummy,
such delightful secret to hug to
ones breast
It's dreadfully late" and she look
ed reproachfully at the clock on the
mantel. "I have to start home in
hurry, or Mummy will be worried
| don't suppose we could spare time
to drive out right now past some OF
the places where we might want to
buy the house"
II don't suppose we could" her
| father laughed. "If Mummy is wor-
ried about you. I think L had better
give you up Immediately"
He did not, however. He kept her
there for many fleeting minutes, and
nj
Billy wanted to take her to the
corner near the enchanted apart
ments, but she would not let him.
| Instead, she had her father and Billy
both escort her to the stage, and, as
far as she could see through the
crowded traffic, she looked back out
of the window and watched them
standing on the curb, side by side,
the old man and the young, at the
| threshold of their mutual battle.
What a mixture of emotions was
the sparkling and bubbling and wor-
ried and dubious Tavy who hesitated
at the door of the enchanted pink
and gray parlor. Her eyes were dane
ing, her cheeks were aglow, the imps
peeped cautiously from her glossy
curls, and there was a little pucker
in her brow. She had to keep the
wonderful secret of a new found
daddy and of the beautiful cottage
for the royal princess, and she had
also to reinstate Billy, so no wonder
she was all ajumble.
Where have you been, Tavy
You're late" exclaimed her mother
the traces of her anxiety still upon
her.
with Billy" The frank reply
promptly, but in a doubtful voice.
There was a startled look in Jean
Stuarts face, and then she turned
and walked into the bay window
where she stood and looked down al
the river, in deep trouble. She had
known that this moment must come
and she had her answer ready, but
1t was a difficult one to speak. The
arms of her daughter stole about
her.
Mummy dear" The voice was low
and pleading. BILLY must come back
I know that he will never drink toe
much again. 1t isn't fair to Judge
him by your experience. 1t isn't fair
not to give him a second chance
Please, Mummy; / love Billy So"
Jean Stuart took her daughter in
her arms, laid her hand upon the
glossy curls and drew the head upor
her shoulder, as If by that she could
surround this child of hers from the
sorrow which had been her own. Yes
she knew love, and just what an.
palling self-sacrifice it could mean
and 1t was because Tavy loved Billy
so that her mother was strengthened
I'm her determination