The Washington times., 1919-12-30

dicate, Incl
CHAPTER CCXIX.
SsH ICK WEST is a cad!" said
disgustedly to Phoebe.
"First he gets you faith
oms deep into his debt. Then he
asks you to ma>ry him and makes
ugly insinuations about what peo-
pie will say Of your owing him
money If you don't. That's absurd,
SO don't let it worry you. And when
he goes as far as to drag Virginia
in, 1 think he's regular black
mailer"
"Then you don't think he could
make me out a dreadful sort Of girl
that everyone would turn away
from? cried Phoebe.
''Of course not, child" I replied.
in a matter-of-fact tone. II think
you ought to be spanked for gam
bling and stood in the corner for
ever thinking Dick West was to
be trusted. But you've been foolish
and reckless, not criminal. So now
wipe that desperate look from your
face while I think our way out"
Phoebe smiled wistfully through
a tiny veil of tears. / thanked her
guardian angels that she was still
child at heart and didn't see the
ugly possibilities of her story. If
Dick West wanted to force her to
marry in order to avoid gossip. he
would still have the whip-hand
when she had paid off her debt.
Paying the debt wouldn't change
the fact that she'd once owed him
money. If he were cad enough to
talk, hid still have the story of her
gambling and borrowing to tell,
even when the money was paid. 1t
had to be paid--and at once. Still
I didn't see how that would get her
out of his power.
could feel Phoebe's eyes fed
trustingly and hopefully on mine,
as / sat reviewing the whole sorry
business.
Here's your fruit lemonade.
Drink it, dear" said in a tone that
didn't admit of defeat. "Then we ii
go to the writing-room and I'll fill
the blank check / carry and You
can turn it right over to your Shy
lock. Well pay half ou1sdebt and
then attend to raising the resc.
We're partners now. and well see
this through to victory. Now drink
your lemonade. It's really refresh
ing"
Fr1xhtene0 fAOeOe.
Phoebe raised her glass obedi-
emily to her lips. drank a dutiful
swallow or two and put the glass
down despairingly.
II can't, Anne. Don't make me.
It's what Neal and / always Or
dered. 1 never touch 1t any more"
she stammered shyly.
And once you thought you could
marry Dick West" 1 ventured.
Phoebes face crimsoned.
do you think-do you think N
he would ever forgive me for-for
the way 1 treated himthat time ho
came back, and for this terrible
scrape I've got into?" she asked
breathlessly.
"Bless your heart, dear? You just
say you're sorry. and he'll forget
everything" 1 declared, happily
foreseeing the good that might
come out of all this evil. Now it's
all settled. You give Mr.. West my
check and tell him very firmly that
you can't possibly marry him be
cause you don't love him AMI
wouldn't do him the injustice Of
marrying him without love. I'll sJ
to Jim tonight with the whole
story, and he'll get US the rest Of
our money
"Oh. no-not Jim" Phoebe cried.
IT couldn't hear to have my own
brother know"
Jim. of course" replied smiling
away her objections. "Ho won't
musjudge his baby sister. and he'll
positively be grateful to find out
what sort OF man he's in partner
ship with. He'll be grateful to Re
saved from big, raw deal soma
day7 You'll see"
"Oh. Ammo. you make mo believe
I'm going to be happy again, aad