Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-03-01

how joyfully he had gone to work
as inspector in the cap factory anc
with what devotion he had brought
me the first fruits of that work
earned by the march, march. march
all through the long hours which
/ tortured his lame ankle. That hao
been for me. But this wealth jim
had won in stock transaction seem
ed to be all for himself.
| Even though l knew I was risk
ing a snub, 1 had to venture a
question:
Isis everything all right, jim %
! 1 asked.
He looked up with a start.
! Everything? Oh yes! If the
boy comes fast enough. that is
They're sending it by messenger
A certified check. Dick West just
got his. Hope the kid hurries."
You couldn't telephone the bank
| Sturges Company that you'd like
them to hold up the check until to-
morrow" I asked.
Il could not" retorted Jim curtly
IF things break right I'm in vel
| vet. If they don't
| He shrugged his shoulders idly
| But his manner wasn't idle" II
had that tenseness ! have seen come
over him, when he is waiting for the
turn of a card, the fall of the dice,
the finish of a race. And when he
tried to light a cigarette three
matches in succession fiickered out
in his trembling fingers ...
Jim puffed furiousiy for a second
or two. and then he turned TO me
with an air of command.
doo-dad in this room six times.
Now get rid of that fool cloth and
SIT down minute without fidget-
ing. I've something to say to YOU
might as we'll get it off my chest
now"
At Jim's mere tone choke came
into my throat. IT was so cold. so
aloof. | did as he bade me. put
away the dust cloth and sat down.
but L chose a chair opposite him
not a cosy perch on the arm of his
chair. Jim narrowed his eyes and
studied me through a cloud of
smoke. Then he plunged into the
very middle of his own thoughts.
Anne, from now on I'm going to
insist that you be decent to my
triends, Just because they are my
friends-and without waiting six
months or so to make up your mind
TO 1t. There are such things as
tact and diplomacy in the world.
though you don't seem to realize II.
DICK and Doris and good old Tom
nave helped me over the first ditch.
Now quit snubbing them. I'm going
to be rich and I'm not going to
have you handicap me by acting
snippy to the folks l need-the folks
VINO are my best friends" he added
in hasty correction.
You're thinking how I didn't
make friends with Betty at first,
and how fond of her l am now" I
replied thoughtfully.
Now was the time to get Jim's
point of view, to re-esta blish myself
as partner and confidante as we'll as
wife. Even if Jim hurt me a bit
! thought | could manage to take it
hke good sport and try to elimin-
ate the faults that were driving us
apart
Jim caught me up at once:
Yes, I'm thinking of Betty
whom you seem to adore now. But
still more of Jeanie. And Phoebe,
The kiddie adored you at first. but
YOU froze her. AS for Evvy. I feel
that you've almost made an enemy
of her.
1T won't do, Anne. I'm going to
the top. And my wife must be a
diplomatic wife, not one I have TO
explain and apologize for Youll
nave to change a bit. Anne. If
you're coming along with me.
need wife who'll do me proud. not
queer me. A real top-notcher,
clever woman. not a tactless wife
who insults my friends one day
and gushes over them the next"
1 felt my hand fly to my hot
cheeks, and the breath come in lit
tie gasps from my parched lips at
the insult of Jim's words. Had his
first success swept him already
where l could not follow him ?
Was I going to lose Jim? Loss
him-not to any of the women |
had feared, but TO wealth I'd
never even dreamed of having?
To BE Continued.