Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-11-06
Copyright. 1919. King Syndicate. Inc
CHAPTER CCCXLIV

When came back from my strange
interviw with Bertha, two cars stood
where only my big Limousine had been
a few minutes before. l didn't know
whether to laugh or cry or just to
run away from the last complication
to an already difficult situation.
The second car was Sheldon Blake S
big gray speedster. and standing in
the path chatting with the guests in
my car. was Shelly himself. There
was somethig unpleasant in the
irony of that fate that had brought
him to the old Harrison place on the
very day when Virginia and Pat came
into their own again.
There was no getting away from
the fact that Shelly's attentions To
Virginia had been very conspicuous
and 1 suspected that he wouldn't re-
joice when he found out that she was
reconciled to her husband. For mo-
ment the gay and gallant Shelly look
ed to me like ghost of someone
dead past. Then l pulled myself to-
gether pinned my faitn on Jim and
went out to greet the latest arrival
Directly l said a word of welcome
to Shelly, Jim broke in, giving me my
cue!
Aren't Shelly and his empty car
blessings, Anne?" he explained. "Shel-
ly heard over at Mason Towers that
We were having a house party. and
thought he'd drive over to welcome
the Harrisons home. And now il
you'll persuade Mr.. Booth to join us
in our pilgrimage young Phoebe and
her Neal won't have to trail along
after us by train"
will you be good Samaritan?
1 asked, and give as your hospital
ity, since were not staying on to
offer you the freedom of the old
hcmestead?"
You don't need me. You've your
little car" blundered Sheldon, and
added in a tone that told me Envy
had been playing pranks again. 81
didn't want to intrude. Some of the
Swiss Mission fellows were over al
the Mason place, so 1 butted out
but that doesn't mean you have to
let me butt in here by pretending you
need my car Anyway, I'll be the
odd man"
THE little car has been spirited
away by the Harrison family ghost
Val broke in with an arresting laugn
But Mrs. Harrison is in one of her
restless moods this morning. so per,
haps she'll ride in your car, Mr.
Blake. That would give her the
change and variety she seeks, and
keep her from feeling lik the fifth
wheel on your own auto"
will you so honor me-" asked
Sheldon. turning to me with mock
gallantry.
IT couldn't leave my own car on
this first trip" 1 explained. But il
Mrs. Cosby is in a generous MOOD
she'll VOLUNTEER to preserve the bal
aEce in your car Shelly. OF course
I can't put one of our guests OUT
Nof re
your house." murmured Val, instant
" transferring herself with ShelIy's
help from the blue auto to the gray
one.
This was the signal for general en-
bprkation, and l could imagine that
Jim and Phoebe shared my relief
when we were off at last. I KEEP
wondering if Pat would miscalculatt
his time and come sweeping up the
driveway before we had swept dowr
it. But We got to the gate withou
was in the lead, turned east instead
o. west and went back toward th'
crossroads. There was nothing fol
us to do but follow.
With dismay 1 realized that thi
change of direction would take u!
right by the inn, and that in all prob
ability my little old car would b'
parked in the green which was clear
ly visible from the highway. How
ever, there was an even chance tina
no one who wasn't in our secre
would observe this. 1t seemed sill!
to be nervous about our change o
direction, but l felt that Val, VIII
was seated at Shelly's side, had som,
part in it.
She didn't keep me in doubt, but be
gan her campaign as soon as we wer'
established in the dining room of th'
Mountain Inn, which was our redez
vCus.
Pretty little place that crossroad
i'm. isn't it. Aunt Molly? l persuaded
Mr.. Blake to drive by there as
thought we might stay the night, ant
and not cut our excursion short. Yol
know, Anne dear came out all pre-
pared not to go back to the city til
Monday"
NO wonder you thought we wer,
iphospitable." laughed jim. but W.
didn't mean to give the impression