The Washington times., 1920-02-28

DSosioC tthASAS W 49,
nuenxa came to US.
For a week Envy saw no one
Night after night Neal came to
dinner with US, and sat staring at
his plate OF untasted food. i be-
gan to wonder II he cared-or II.
like me. he was lighting cruel and
inhuman thoughts Of how perhaps
now, our problems were going to
be solved in the higher court
forced myself to pray over and over
again that Envy would get well.
because ! knew in my heart of
hearts that / was having a hard
time to want her to.
On the day after the date set for
the reception, which had worried
me so. Envy sent for me. She lay
in bed looking haggard and hard.
and found my heart going out to
her in pity. Her first words, how
ever. hauled me up short.
"Well. didn't have Cosby pour
at my tea. did II" she asked fever
ishiy. 81 thought I'd have to give
in to Jimmie. He's always been
able to twist me around his little
finger and get me to do what he
wanted. Perhaps even when-I jilt-
ed him. But this time Fate inter
fered in my behalf. Looks like an
omen--as II we are going to get
the upper hand OF our Jimmie now"
She smiled iazily. fixing her blue
eyes on mo with an expression that
puzzled me. i wondered II she were
feyerish. or II there really was pas
SION and hate and an ugly desire
for revenge in the air.
You're a very jealous woman.
aren't you. Amer" Envy went on
brushing aside my attempts to say
few words Of sympathy. II can
remember when you were afraid
that Jimmie's old fondness for me
survived. But we can both see that
he is more fascinated by Val Cosby
than by either of US now. And as
I'm going to be your sister-in-law
and to find complete happiness in
the arms OF your ardent young
r brother. you know you need never
be jealous Of me again, but that you
con count on me to help you night
Val"
Envy" cried embarrassed and
annoyed by every word she said
about herself. but finding myself,
untouched by her awkward at
tempts to make me distrust Jim.
I'm afraid you're feverish-or will
be IL you go on like this. I'll call
Envy laughed. There was malice
and scorn in her laugh. but when
she spoke her husky voice seemed
almost to caress me.
Malice and scoru.
Don't worry about me-sister.
dear. i got a wonderful rest here
In bed. You know I've decided it's
silly to wait till winter to be mar
ried. i think we'Il go out and open
Mason Towers for the summer a,
soon as I'm a bit stronger, say in
aboutithree weeks. and right after
that we'll be married. It's cruel to
keep Neal waiting. Yes, I'll let tho
dear. impatient boy have his way
and tonight I'll tell him we'll set
the day for a month from tomor.
row."
Evvy's eyes opened wide with the
old look of wistful innocence. But
there was a malicious twist to her
mouth as she went on:
why don't you say how de-
lighted you are. Amer
Father Andrew can't come on
during the summer" i began, but
at sight of Evvy's face I shifted to:
Anything that makes Neal hap
Ply"
Meal, Neal! why don't you think
about his making me happy? Why
don't you wonder whether he is?"
demanded Envy, sitting up in bed
and Selling my hand in hers as IL
there were something more she
wanted to say.
II hope he does-and is" I re-
turned formally, never less at ease.
1--WE just told you what a WON
derful lover he is. To be Meals
wife. your sister-and Jim's-is al
most too much for any one woman.
l often wonder what I've done to
deserve 1t. But now that ! have
this splendid opportunity I'm glad
L was spared to-make the most OF
II, aren't you, Anne?
There was n threat in Eyyy's
tone. felt suddenly that my Aou,s,-
happiness, as well as Phoebe's and
Meals, was at stake, but I couldn't
guess from where the attack was
coming. didn't know how to meet
II.