Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-02-24

I for speeding. I'm sure my fingers flew
as fast as ever did those of our soldier
boys to adjust the gasmasks from the
! "Alert' position. And by twenty min
utes past seven 1 was all ready except q
pin or two Jim must adjust for me.
My own reflection In the mirror con-
soled me bit. My cheeks were flushed
and my eyes bright from the excitement
and hurry had just gone through. My
neck-white and slim over the gray chif-
/ fon; the soft silky stuff cast a silvery
radiance across my throat and shoul-
| ders and hung in graceful folds over
| the swishing taffeta-the girdle Iof pas
tel shades really looked like French
touch.
hurried out to the living room to
wake Jim with kiss. l had begun to
understand what nervous strain he'd
been undergoing for days. Those two
hours of whirling along at top speed
and alternating between hope and fear
that my dress would come out right,
were about one per cent. of what Jim
been going through while chasing For
tunes car-wondering IL his big deal
would end in ruin or success. And all
Jim's ugliness to me could be explained
in terms of his sudden nervous let
down when the hours of waiting were
ever drowned with success.
So all malice-oll anger and all hurt
were wiped from my memory when. I
went out to wake Jim. and ask him
to add the finishing touch of friendly
pin or two to my costume.
Wake up Mr.. de Millions and play
lady's maid to your wife" said /.
"Franchette the real maid is getting
out my errine coat and furs."
had no more than said the words,
when l longed to recall them. I could
anticipate Jims reply. "Cut out late
would be -humor Anna"
Jim rose, stretched his arms above
his head and turned lazily to inspect
me. My heart gave a hopskip-and-
jump. How handsome he was as he
stood there with his white shirt-sleeved
arms stretched above his dark head /!
Why must we quarrel and hurt each
other and drift apart on the tide of
our angry irritated words? I loved
my boy-he had once adored me. Why
couldn't we learn to accept each other
and adjust ourselves to the daily task
of living together?
At the thought of all we had lost,
I sank down in a chair and shut my
ldiuS pNtI my lace. / wanted 10 con-
jure back the poverty in which we had
been so rich.
Suddenly Jim's right arm went about
my shaking shoulders, and his left
hand tilted my head back against his
heart. / nestled close against him
what peace.
Poor little tired girl" he said, ten
derly. How those clever fingers must
have flown! You're beautiful. dear
heautiful I'm proud of you, my clever
little Lilac Princess.
/ leaned against my Jim's heart
happy 1 wanted to sob. I wanted to
laugh. And a little of both got into
my voice as l whispered:
How rich we are, dear-how very
rich--we have each other"
Jim's fingers slid up under my hair
and lay, electric and vibrating against
my forehead for a second. When he
drew me to my feet. His tender mood
was succeeded by my-a practical one.
GIVE us the pins-and we'll take
'Fanchettes place " he said. "And
then all aboard for the dinper. Toms
face will he worth watching when he
sees his blue robe defeated again.
A little steel band tightened around
my heart. At such a moment as this.
why must Jim bring up Tom Mason !
Would ! never be rid of the man ?
Must I always be pursued by his blue
robe?
Ito Be Continucd)