Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-08-07
CHAPTER CCLNVII
Copyright, King Feature Service


"Phoebe-Neal!" cried and again
Just that: "Phoebe-Neal!
Then l rushed across the room
fairly babbling my JOY even While
the unwelcome, unbidden tears
surged up to my eyes. A second
later they were tangled up in my
arms together.
Together! Together - that was
khe glorious, wonderful, unpelleN-
able thing come true under my
Aappy eyes.
However much he wanted to
eliminate himself, Tony couldn
escape, for we blocked the door
way. After a minute Neal recoN-
cred his poise and detacnlhs NM
self crossed the room to Tony VINO
stood lonely figure, but smiling
his blessing.
"Norreys, old man." cried slangy
young Neal, rather poetically' give
me a welcome home. I've peen on
a long Journey, but I've come nome.
Welcome home, young chap'
from wars and camps and Journey
ings," replied Tony with an atto-
gether satisfactory twinkle IN MS
eye. ,o,,si,,g
thump on the back, anu Iheli |''''''
to Phoebe and me.
"I-about to depart-salute you
little Miss Phoebe" he SAID WIN
kindly understanding. We seen
nothing at all of you since llle
good old days when we were Sreat
chums, and the little girl uSeu 10
kiss Uncle Tony good night at nine
wasn't it? A very protesting anu
protested against nine. too, ,.s
'I'n kiss you again! Grlea
Uncle 1OnY,
what a dear you are to forget the
dav YOU came to lunch and read US
Betty's letter about happiness, ana
I broke down and ran away ike
jealous little fool
Her eyes sought Meals as she
smoke, And there was enough nap
piness there to make up for mill
ion other unhappy times.
Dear me, l am getting olo,
laughed Tony. L had forgotten
But l haven't forgotten something
that was lust said about your kiss
ing me-" 80.
Then, STOPPING, he laid his left
hand lightly on Phoebe's hair and
laid his lips very gently to her fore
head. But Phoebe rose on tiptoe
and flung her arms around Tony
and she kissed him on each check,
on forehead and then on his lips.
Very lightly, like flower petals, her
lips touched him.
"a four-leaf clover, Uncle Tony
for happiness and luck"
Tony. without a farewell glance,
murmured his good-by and hurried
away.
* prince of good fellows. The
salt of the EARTH" said Neal, and
added mischievously, What do you
say to our having him for one of
the ushers at the great even, little
lady?"
Phoebe blushed and buried her
face against my shoulder. And
though 1 was aching with curiosity
as to how all this had come to pass,
l just held out hand to each and
asked never a question beyond.
ANY one care for tea?"
Neal threw back his head and
shouted. After a moment Phoebe
Joined him, and, exchanging a
glance, they seemed to consent mu-
tually so something l didn't under
stand, and falling upon me- they
dragged me down on the couch be-
tween them. Then:
Tell her, Neal" commanded
Phoebe.
IAN right" said Neal, eagerly,
But, pulling himself up short, he
corrected himself gallantly. No,
you, dear"
I'D rather it was you,' said
Phoebe, shyly, and slipped down into
the nest my left arm made for her.
"Babbsie, old lady, l suppose you
wonder how it happened" queried
Neal and, without waiting the af-
firmative nod of my head to en-
courage him, he went right on and
told me.
i've been moping around the Of
flee for a couple of days that seemed
like a couple of years. Wondering
and wondering all the time how l
could find out if Phoebe still cared.
And breaking a brain cell to figure
out how I'd ever scrape up the nerve
to tell her I'd never stopped caring
even when 1 hadn't any right to.
Gee whillikens! 1t was fierce!
Then this morning when I get
to the office, there sits Pat Dalton
at my desk. And he hits out from
the shoulder. Man-talk. Once or
twice 1 got pretty hot under the
collar. Once or twice I felt pretty
cheap. And more than once or
twice I was about ready to kick
my senior partner out of the place.