The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1920-10-25

81 have rather dnonopolized Mrs.
Harrison" agreed Anthony Norreys
amiably when Jim came to challenge
him as we sat talking after Virginia s
dinner. But for the matter of that
rather monopolize you, lad. I'm an
old hulk that needs fine young craft
to convoy ii. You do that for my
work. Your wife has just promised
to do it for my charity She's going
to let me establish an endowm ent
fund at the Canteen-we're going to
dole out banana splits and pud-
ding"
I'm not sure Anne will continue
canteening," replied Jim darby and
ungraciously. It's fine workout I
don't see that my wife is essential
to it. 1t went on without her for a
Terry broke in, and as is always
the case where he is concerned, Jim
at once became peaceable and good
naturd.
"Your dope's all wrong, Jim. The
idea is to relieve the veterans who
have stood the strain for years by
having the reserves come in Every
time Mrs. Jimmie has to serve at
the dinner hour you count on me to
share your lonely repast. I don't see
why that didn't occur to you on your
own-o1d chap"
Jim flushed and stirred uneasi1y-
glancing at me almost in embarras-
ment at Terrys words And that
told me that what he'd done on the
one evening was on canteen duty
was by no means so innocent as
spending the time with Terry.
wondered if Terry knew-and was at
one and the same time trying to Sc
cure my freedom for me and to make
sure that Jim didn't take too lavish
a portion of freedom for himself
AS L look back on the evening. I
wonder wha wasn't overwhelmed
by the burrrng jealousy that usually
overtakes me when find myself
questioning whether Jim is making
use of his great fascination and charm
for women. Was the faith in myself
that Anthony Norreys had given me
strength enough to tide me over this
situation?
Phoebe broke in as suddenly
Terry had done.
want to work at a canteen, too.
I've nothing to do with myself and
the days are so long"
"A worthy motive!' commented
Virginia drily.
81 don't care if it is or not. I'm
lonesome. guess the boys are, too
so far from home and with the ex-
element of fighting all over I'd like
to meet 'em-and make a few
friends. 1 don't know anyone in New
York"
That's gracious of you, Phoebe"
sadi Virginia-still in the dry, dead
tone so different from her usual
curt dec1siveness. MY friends
jim . lIleHuS Will appreciate being
counted as nobody"
Won't anyone understand"
Phoebe's voice broke and rasped.
You're all busy@and older than I
and you know where you're going
what you're going to do with your
lives L can't stand this drifting
around aimlessly and having to take
orders and always being the young
est-and not being vital to anyone"
So that explained Neal and his
hold over Phoebe The chiId's lone
liness had driven her to accept his
love. She needed him, rather than
cared for him. n that moment L de-
cided Virginia had been wise to send
his. ring back to my brother Neal.
think, dear-that you've made
cut the case against your taking on
canteen work very WELL" said vir-
not girls looking for-larks ana ex-
element"
you'll never let me do a thing 7
want-In show you-Pl show You
passionately.
Virginia took his very calmly, too
.she seemed entrenched in a mas
slve indifference from which moth
ing could stir her.
III let you do one thing vou,ve
been saying you wanted to-and that's
run along to your own room d,aa, -
she sadi smoothly.
Phoebe,s little heart shaped face
crimsoned and flashed
$50 you send me to bed like a
baby. You humiliate me before every
one. You wait, Virginia Dalton-you
watt"
Then, with the curtest of GOOD
nights, she fled from the room,
Jim turned with word of apology.
Il can't think what has taken
possession of the child. She doesn't
act like herself. I apologize for
for the her Girnar
turned into a debating society,"
1 WINGED. Was that for Phoebe or
me?
Sheldon, silent so long, had cross
leaning over her with every show of
devotion, and, strangely enough, Vir-
'ginia didn't seem to resent it.
But it was Anthony Norreys who
saved the day.
The child is lonesome Somehow
we hardly see her, Mrs Dalton, when
you're around. OF course, she can't
canteen, because they aren't taking
her help me bit. I'm thinking of
sending Doris West to our Boston
office"
"Oh, don't deprive me of little Miss
Vest! protested Jim. I'D never get
on with my sister as assistant, I'd
tyrannize over her shamelessly. I'm
used to Miss West
Miss West-thats the pretty. ORR
entail little creature out at your place.
isn't it, I asked thoughtlesslv.
But as Jim and Terry turned quick
~ to study me a memory came back
to assail me-Jim's words the dav I
told him I was on for the dinner
hour at the canteen-"In case T do
console myself by taking a beautiful
lady out to dinner
Z Was Jim interested in his secretarI-
ana was Mr.. Norreys, in friendship
for me, going to put temptatiin ont
of my husbands way?
To Be Continued,