The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1918-11-30
CHAPTER LII.
copyright, 1918, by Kings Feature
Syndicate, Incl


that?" Jim's voice fairly
snapped out at Neal as he
spent on him all the irritation and
wrath accumulated against me and
my lecture" on gambling.
But Neal was too happy to be ir-
ritated by anything.
'Yes-with Phoebe" he said.
The car broke down, and we had
to walk till we found trolley"
~ohr That one exclamation Of
Jim's held volumes of relief. Then
of course, Virginia and Sheldon
were along"
sYe-yes, OF course" replied
Neal, as though he meant, Were
they? 1 didn't notice. They don't
count"
And during the long, sleepless
hours of the night. when lay
dreading the suffering Jim's passion
for gambling might cause us both,
the memory of Meals glorified face,
and mis- vibrating voice comforted
me.
But with the return of day not
even the thought OF my brothers
happiness could cheer me- dragged
through a long morning tortured by
worry. Lunch was a sorry pre-
tense-I couldn't manage to eat a
bite. For know just how terrible
Is the situation the wife of a
gambler faces
What women suffer when the men
they love stake fortune. decency
and manhood even on the turn Ct
q card" learned In my early
youth Ny own father was a gam
bier. Ny childhood alternated be-
tween red plush and gin hotel
suites on noisy thoroughfares. and
rag-carpeted hall bed roons in
dinEy boarding houses on furtive
back streets. Mother and were
starving in the bog of shame. where
father left US. when he died.
The Saving Act.
Father Andrew Hyland married
mother and brought us to a little
home on an elm-shaded village
street. But it was those years that
took their toll OF mother. She
passed on when Neal was a tiny lad.
Neal forgets her. but I can never
forget And today face the very
problem that killed my mother.
Six hours alone with my thoughts
and I begin to grow morbid-des-
perate. Then Betty came into my
mind. Suddenly love and faith and
= great need OF her struggled out
q the ugly mists OF Jealousy that
have always kept noe from sc-
knowledging even to myself how
nne and splendid Betty Bryce is.
/ called Betty's house. The
maid told me that Mrs. Bryce had
gone over to Mrs. Dalton's apart
ment
So Betty was helping Virginia
move into the new apartment-they
were friends already For q mo-
ment felt shut out. alone. had
rejected Betty's efforts at friend
ship-yirginia had refused mine
and they had found each other.
Envy chilled me for a moment. then
1 conquered my feelings and called
virginia The line was busy. but
the operator downstairs promised
to call me as soon as she could get
the number.
A ring OF the door bell summoned
me from the phone. And ] opened
the door to find Envy on the TIRES
hold. She was smiling and radiant
and her greeting restored my con-
hdonce in myself. After all, l had
wanted an old friend and Jim's to
help us-and one had come to me.
Instead Of being Jealous because
she liked my boy, must use
Evvy's liking for his benefit
But before 1 could embark upon
my purpose Envy stated hers.
"Anne, ! want you TO come down
to our country place for the week
end. We're closing the house early
this Tear-but before we do you
must see IT. Wen just be a cosy
little foursome-you and Jimmie
and Neal and L Does next Satur-
day suit7"
"Just the four OF US, Envy? Sup
pose Jim doesn't want 10 leave his
sisters7 or Neal might-hAye an
replied.
"QuIte true, dear. But I've my
heart set on this. Don't you think
yoa could manage it-for met
Don't you think. perhaps, you-owe
me this much7"
An Interruption.
As stared at Envy in amaze
nent, she went on:
Don't you think, dear. II Is about
time We eame 10 an understanding?
Now your game is"
Her words were punctuated by .
ShATp ring Of tho telephone. Bet
tvs clear voice greeted me when
took the receiver.
Hello, Princess Anne! Your
operator tells me she's been trying
70 get US for half an hour. How
help rs stow furniture in the right
lights and corners7 Your own place
you as q homemakeF.
VIII you GOMEZ"
sOh, Betty, how sweet you are
aot leaving me out even now"
cried, impulsively. Then continued
in ths hope OF making
amends 70 Envy. Envy Mason's
hero-It was she who helped me put
ny house in order,~
] waited for Betty TO say, "Finel
Bring her right along" But in
Itsad, she replied, coldIyI
~Oh, Miss MasonI Well, then, Of
b1urss, you can't come. Virgins
VIII be sorry"
Her words set up q wall between
a., Inside that wall Vere Virginia
md Betty-and shut out on the
,theF side were Envy and ]. For
me moFHsel : lad felt my self ap-
-oaehine-thFough Betty happy
intimacy With Virginia, Now was