Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-08-02
CHAPTER CCLXIII
copyright, 1919, King Feature Syn
dicate, Inc.)

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dicate, Inc.)
As Sye drove up the circling road
that leads from the gate of Mason
Towers to the ports cochere at the
left of the house, we noticed ENVY
blue car standing at the front steps
Maybe she was coming to town
to get me-" said Neal in a voice
that suggested he was whipping hlm-
self to an enthusiasm he didn't feel.
pretty late for that, isn't 1t
dear?" 1 asked without taking deep
thought of the matter.
Guess it is"
Then Neal leaped out, swung me
and his bag out of the car, and was
lust at the point of pressing his
finger to the bell when L cried.
See if the doors open, first. IL
ought to be, here in the country.
And we might as well have real
surprise party"
The screen door gave at NeaPs
first touch, and so we crept in ike
two conspirators. Through the
corridor to the living room we went
without finding Envy. The house
Law cool and silent. suffered and
brooding, hidden away from the
copper sun of late afternoon. We
tiptoed along, sitting our giggles
and feeling very young and mis-
chievious.
"Tu bet she's in the little Summer
house." whispered Neal when the
conservatory and the breakfast
room had joined the rest of the
floor in refusing us Envy.
So we ran along the corridor 10
the little house where Val and l
had found ENVY with Neal the night
she announced her engagement. AS
we approached we heard the click
of ice in glass and Evvy's voice
throaty, provocative, unmistakable.
Some one with her." said Neal
to me; then he called:
"Evvy-surprise party! Guess
who's here!"
And then we stepped over the
threshold of the sweet-smelling,
vine-hung Summer house. For
second my eyes refused to adjust
themselves to the outdoor glare.
Then l saw Envy on her feet by
chair her hasty movement had evil
IDENTIFY overturned. She was stand
ing straight and taut and looking
with a queer, stained expression at
her companion, who was rising from
a chair at the farther side of the
rustic table around which the Sum-
mer house was built.
l turned my head and met Jim's
eyes.
Jim! My jim! Alone with Envy
Mason at her country place. For
moment l trembIed, tortured beyond
thought of faith by a burning rush
of the old jealousy. This was the
second time l had surprised them!
How they must have laughed be-
fore-how they must be laughing
now! Harsh and ugly l felt laugh
ter well up in my own throat. And
then, as if they were hands to touch
me gently, | became conscious of
Jim's eyes on my face-on my very
soul it seemed. His eyes were in
tent, desperately earnest, they seem
ed to be waiting for what l would
do.
walked across the Summer
house and lay my hand on Jim's
shoulder. His hand went up to take
it.
Then Envy broke the silence.
Turning to Neal, she cried in high
strident tones that bore no resem-
blance to the throaty, purring voice
l had always heard:
What are you doing here, Neal!
I thought you were coming out to-
morrow with mother"
Anne stopped for me. We drove
out in her little car-to surprise
YOU" replied Neal with emotion
that astonished me. Did he care for
Envy, after all?
ITO surprise met" laughed Envy
curtly. well, you did. What are
you going to do about it?"
Take my sister home!"
Meals voice rang out and he
started toward me with boyish
concern for what he thought 1 was
undergoing. But strangely enough
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he thought. Jim's eyes-the touch
of Jims hand had told me that l
had nothing to fear or to resent
that there was a reason for his
being here and that the reason
would satisfy me completely. At
Neaps words Jim turned and looked
at Neal-smiling as if he were
waiting for something.
I'll take Anne home, Neal. Per-
haps you owe Neal some explana-
ton of our tete-a-tete, Envy" he
added carelessly, Wen run along
and leave you to-straighten things
out"
AS he spoke, his arm slid about
my shoulders and I leaned close
TO him, expressing silently, the love
and faith l felt.
Envy studied us sneeringly for
moment-then she flung her arms
out in a gesture of fury.
80 you've been making a fool
of me again, Jim Harrison. Per-
haps you staged this whole thing.
You've been playing with me Just
as you did before. I wish 1 knew
what it is you want of me-so |
wouldn't have to do it this time.
Well, run along-run along, you
two. L wish you joy, you and your
trusting wife"
"Evvy!" cried Neal You're speak
ing to my sister! And it isn't Anne
who haS-offended YOU"
At this Envy turned on him with a
look of utter scorn.
You fool" she said. "You young
fool! Jim Harrison has you twisted
around his finger, too. Here! I've
had you twisted around mine long
enough
She jerked her engagement ring
pm her hand and flung it on the
table among the glasses and plates
Then she turned on Jim, shaking
with rage:
Y hate you;" she cried "I only
-S~Ish 1 could show you how much L
..ate you. Why did you call me back
CSain? And now you stand there
rarnting your love for Anne in my
re! Why don't you say something? Z?
Why don't you explain your tickle,
philandering nature? Perhaps you
think I'd take you back again some