Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-07-02
CHAPTER Xxx.

you won't give me the hver?" asked
Neal.
NO"
Ny brother rose in fury:
I've got to have the money. I'll pay
you back"
Sorry" Jim said again grimly.
Neal turned to me with twitching lips:
I've got to have the money. Win
you lend it to me, Amer"
went into the bedroom, took the ten
dollars Neal had given me from its hid
ing place and brought it in to my
brother. He picked up one of the five
dollar bills and few from the apart
ment- wonder If he knew it was his
own money I gave him.
Jim gazed at Meals empty place silent
II for q moment. But when he spoke It
was not of my brother.
Poor little girl-giTing up her saw
ingsT' he said sadly. IT didn't have the
money to spare, dear; but couldn't tell
Neal that I've only q little money on
hand, and since I can't offer Virginia
the hospitality Of my home want TO
take her to a hotel and pay her bills.
That's the least a man can do for his
own sister"
wanted to reply that what had done
was also the least I could do for my
brother, but humiliation gripped me as
I realized that It was my extrayagant
young brother who was costing Jim his
chance to offer his sisters 4 home.
But I dared not risk putting that in
to words. and Jim. too, was REFRESHING
emotions that must not be expressed. So
we finished our dinner IN a silence that
remained unbroken until we found a
safe temporary outlet IN washing the
dishes
It was nine by the time we were
to make myself fine and start for the
station with JIM wondered if he
would ask me to go.
He came into the bedroom with me
and began limping heavily up and down
the room, while smoothed my hair. At
last he spoke jerkily:
Il think III start alone, Anne. I
want TO walk. I'm a BIT jumpy. You
know I haven't seen Virginia since 1
went to France; she's never seen ne
hobbling around on this game foot Of
mine"
go along, dear" I contrived TO say
steadily-brightly even-in spite Of my
longing to be asked TO go with him. But
he kissed me goodby without speaking
the words I wanted to hear.
Without the least effort I could have
INDUCED in "a good cry" but took my
self sternly in hand and tried to laugh
instead.
Barbara Anne, you battle your eyes
In ice-water instead Of drenching them
Il briny tears" I admonished myself
kernly.
When that was done I put on the Law
Ter dress that belongs to the Anne
Is Jim's orchid lady" and then sat
b with a plump basket OF Jim's
1.-TWO unhappy hours dragged slowly
by. Lonely hours-hours filed with lit
tie fears and terrifying premonitions.
But when I heard Jim's key in the lock,
I steadied myself and rose and crossed
to the door with 8 smile of welcome
winging its way from my heart itself
to my lips. I would try to make jim
proud of me.
The door opened. Through a haze 1
saw three figures dimly. I heard Jim's
yoice-it seemed to come from far away
"Anne-here are your new sisters.
This is Virginia-this, Phoebe"
A tall, beautiful woman came forward
and took my hand in her gloved one.
Virginia Dalton looked startlingly like
nv Linn. I could have loved her at once
Tor that. But her black-lashed gray
eyes appraised me calmy, Internationally
and she kissed my cheek.
Then q demuTe little girl sidled up to
me. In a fash I saw appealing hazel
eyes up-curving at the outer corners !;
soft, creamy skin, a clear-cut nose that
tilted up and leased her short upper lip
after it, and a dimpled chin. Then
was caught in eager arms and Rugged
with childish abandon.
MY new sister! You will be a real
sister. won't you, Amer" she cried half