Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-02-12
CHAPTER CXIX
Copyright 1919. King Features Syn
dipata Inc

N~OFSA4SAI 1919. Ming L eaIuTeS syn
dicate Inc.)
A little bofore 10 o'clock on the
morning after Betty's disappearance
Terry phoned me.
I've just had the Vocational
Education people on the WIRE" he
said, grimly, and according to their
schedule Betty ought TO be a thou
sand miles away. I've put in a
couple long distance calls, and I'll
let you know results as soon as
hear from them"
Before his next message came
the doorbell rang, and in walked
Carlotta Sturges. Even in the midst
interest in Betty 1 found myself
criticising Carlotta's lack of finesse.
Surely, on making her first visit,
she might have announced herself
and made sure of her welcome in
stead of running in so informally.
But even as the thought swept
across my mindI dismissed it shame
facedly. No man would indulge in
hair-splitting over Carlotta's taste,
when her feelings were so kind and
generous.
NO word from your frtend?" de-
manded' Carlotta briskly. well
then it's about time to call in a de-
tective. I'll telephone the agency my
fathers real estate offices en-
ploy-"
NO you won't" I declared as
briskly, but with a laugh to keep
my words from hurting. This is
in the hands of Terry winston
and l won't make a move without
consulting him. I've an idea 1t would
offend him to put-a detective on
Betty's track"
But it's the efficient thing to do.
Anne. A woman like your friend
doesn't go walking out of the world
without some big-cause back of it.
There's a reason-and a detective
would know how to dope it out"
Hard on her words, the telephone
rang and the operator announced
that Mrs. Dalton was coming up.
Virginia, What would happen if
she and Carlotta Sturges were to
meet?
For a second I was tempted to
try it and-see. Then native con-
servatism conquered. and 1 excused
myself. went to the ,door and, slip
ping on the half-latch, so I might
close it behind nae. 1 slipped out
into the hall to wait for tn ele-
vator.
"Hello-Anne! This looks like a
real welcome to your abode" laugh
ed Virginia.
For a minute I basked in her
friendliness. Then I interrupted it
abruptly, wondering as l did so if
it would ever again be offered me.
''Virginia-I'm out here-because
Carlotta Sturges is-is-in there, a"
1 said umblingly,
Virginia raised her eyebrows
but not her voice-in a polite:
Indeed"
plunged ahead:
She was at the conteen last night
when Terry came to see if I knew
where Betty was. And she helped.
She took lot of interest. And this
morning she came over again-to
see what she could do
Carlotta Sturges." Virginia's eyes
narrowed and her voice shook for a
second. I had choking feeling that
she hated me-along with Carlotta.
But in another moment she steadied
herself and thought aloof and dis
tant, there was no anger in her
manner.
"Of course-under che circum-
stances-I shan't come in," said
she.
And really all this excitement
because Betty chooses to go off on
a little trip without consulting a
group of self-appointed guardians, is
silly. 1 suppose I'm as silly as any
one of you to come tearing over in
this absurd fashion. Well.
I'll be running along. I've bit of
shopping to do before I meet Mr..
Blake for lunch"
1 WENT over and pressed the ele-
vator bell.
Shall I let you know II we have
any news from Betty?" I asked,
gravely ignoring Virginia's pretense
of not caring.
yes" she said eagerly. "Shel-
don and will be at the Walgrave
i'm the Egyptian room from 1 un-
til or so. Goodby. Anne"
And as I returned to Carlotta.