Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-01-04
CHAPTER LXXXVI
Copyright 1918 by Kings Feature
Syndicate, Inc.)

Copyright 1918 by Kings Feature
Syndicate, Inc.)
THAT was most excellent din
ner Nora McGinnis cooked for us,
Tony. I'm mighty glad we had it
and this little visit, for won't see
you folks again in a hurry" remark
ed Be:-y as we all strolled into the
big living room at Noroton.
Our host, Anthony Norreys, gave
Betty little nod of understanding,
and with another chummy little
nod, he gave me to understand that
was to have the honor of pouring
the after dinner coffee. But Terry
flashed round at Betty.
You're off again?" he asked re-
sentfully.
Yes-the Vocational Education
people need me once more" replied
Betty with n trace of uneasiness.
That's the work for rehabilitat-
, ing war cripples and finding them
Jobs, isn't it?" asked Anthony Nor
reys with great interest and no self
consciousness.
"Betty-why didn't you tell me?"
exclaimed Terry. I'D have arranged
for a trip at the same time. You
know l can make things easier for
you. This work takes enough toll of
you without you having to book your
own trains and hotel rooms. l must
plan to get off directly you do"
"Please-don't Terry" said Betty
in a colorless voice. II go to-mor-
row. This is my job--you can't take
all my hurdles for me. You have
a few of your own, my friend"
Betty, l want to make things
easier for YOU" pleaded Terry as if
he had forgotten we were there.
II. n
and shook her head. Then, jerkily,
and with no consciousness of her
gesture. she lifted her SCARED white
hand again and laid it against cher
cheek with the ugly red cash press
ing harshly against her mouth.
I sought Jim's eyes, but they were
closed-in detached weariness. Then,
as if his eyes were summoning mine.
] turned to Anthony Norreys-and
in the silence his thoughts seemed
to become audible to me. 1t was as
if he said:
Poor Terry, You aren't making
things easier for Betty at all. She
has to hurt you-and every hurt
she gives you lacerates her kind
heart"
We had our moment of under
standing, and then Anthony Nor
ryes found a way of breaking the
painful silence of t,-s room.
''And what war '>nrk are you do
ing, Mrs. Harrison: he asked.
Instantly Jim casspulted into the
conversation.
"None-thank fortune" said he.
'All these unframed women rushing
into the limelight of war work and
letting a little notoriety and a few
compliments from their eX-butcher
boys and their former ice men turn
their heads Jove, it's sickening.
Anne's place is at home"
'Jim-Jimmie-b boy!" 1 walled "I
didn't know you felt this way. I
couldn't guess. 1 thought of course
you'd like me to-help. And the
very day you came out here | went
to the committee and signed up for
canteen work.
Jim Strengthened up in his chair.
Then he rose and limped over to me.
There was a cutting, menacing quail
ity in his voice.
Indeed And you chose to hide
this from me. Now, may l ask why
you suddenly decided to take my
friends into your confidence at the
same time that you condescend to
inform me?''
[ felt as if Jim had struck me.
To be assailed with his cold sar-
casm so publicly startled me so that
/ couldn't think-much less speak.
Don't be an idiot, Jim!' cried