The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1920-11-10

1 | Sharp and crisp Betty's voice came back over the phone:
 You sound as if you did need me, Anne. But why? Won't Jim be with us2"
 "No-just Anthony Norreys and you and me. You'll come?'
 Yes. I'll take taxi and come straight over to you, Anne" But as Betty agreed and hung up the receiver, two unasked questions ! pulsed between us:
 From her: Where's Jim. And why is his wife so anxious to dine i with Anthony Norreys?" | From me: What are you doing | back in the city two weeks ahead of schedule, Betty? And why doesn't Terry know you're here? ?'
 CHAPTER OK.
 In an almost unbelievably short time after I had discovered her re- turn to move, the bell rang, and I I opened my door to find Betty Bryce | on the threshold.
 She put out her two hands to me and stopped and kissed me, Then, | Betty questioned me:
 Where's our Jimmie-boy? Why | did you almost cry for joy when you got me over the wire? Whats the matter, little lilac lady? You aren't
 Why, Betty-you're fairly breath | less You hurried over here like mad" I cried. You're dear! From the first you've taken the greatest in terest'-
 Betty interrupted with a certain quality of dryness in her voice:
 q know, Princess Anne. From the first-I butted in. But I liked you. And Jim owe him more than can ever repay-more than I can bring myself to talk, about. - And I under stand Jim-he's like my poor Ather- ton. If I'd -understood-Athert in time-perhaps that burning air plane wouldn't have Oh! can't put it into words-but if what I went drifting apart--- Betty had stepped back-and her eyes were wide with the pain of something she visioned and wanted to forget. Her scared right hand went to her throat, clutched there for second then laid itself across eg0i Ps deeper wonnd ths thsn ths one on her hand. And it was for | me-to help me. I went over and | took that scared hand in both of | mine.
 l Betty, I do understand a little. l Somehow I've been coming closer and l closer to you for weeks. In the be- ginning I was jealous-I thought you | were so beautiful Jim couldn't help
 caring for you. I thought every man who knew you must care" "Don't-don't, Anne!" cried Betty. 'I fail the men who care for me. I
 always hurt the one who loves me
 best. It seems atonement for that to be--a good pal to those who like me. I'm afraid of love. It's friendship l I want-that try to give" 1 You've shown it, Betty. Even to- 1 night-hurrying over here so we could all start together- Oh, Betty, how thankful I am that you were back two weeks early. But you haven't told me yet just how it l happened
 hand I had taken in mine. Her eyes | widened. but she shook her head.
 Then I knew that it was no idle
 but that something momentous was at "Tel1 Srehei me- begged, "A friendship
 has to be two-sided-it goes both | ways, Betty. Won't you tell me? Ii
 I could help you a little" | Not tonight. Soon perhaps ! Anne.'
 = theoperator announced that the cal W was waiting.
 r. That's like good old Tony
 might have known he'd attend t' every detail and keep his guests quit above servants tittle-tattle," mur
 mured Betty.
 # We hurried down to Anthony Nor E reys. There was end to his de light having Betty back in town an,
 the "chum'' I had chosen to accom-
 pany us.
 By love, Betty B., 1T ever tW'
 women belonged to be friend its you two!" he cried with un H conscious fattery. I'd like to be tn fairy godfather to this friendship. It.
 so right-so eternally right!'' No wonder that our evening was glowing success! Betty aided an,
 abetted our plans for the Canteen
 and at her suggestion she becam E each week MT. Norreys' hundred dol E lars. Also at her suggestion W
 planned that the "benefactory'' ap
 pear next day at the Canteen-quit
 visitor.
 We settled all that within an hou
 and then fingered for several nor
 in the stimulating and satsfyin conversation that three who like an H respect each other can find in ir H vestigating each others minds an E viewpoints. Just before midnight m E companions drove me to my door E and I hurried up stairs, feeling con pletely at peace. A few hours befor
 had felt utterly lonely! now I kno E that I could never again be lonel. E for I had two real friends.
 E Jim wasn't in yet. but I didn't lt k that depress me. I undressed quick1 H dreaming happily of how I'd hel Betty If ever she needed me.
 Then Jim's step. creaking cautious
 ly over the flooring:
 I'm awake, Jim, called. H breath. A moment later he can
 into the room. switched on the lit E night lamp and stood blinking dow
 at me-almost sheepishly.
 Poor little girl! I hope ye @ weren't too lonesome. honey" E Something in the tone of lord # pity back of his shamed litt1e-bo caught at the jam pot expressit UH made me laugh
 " propped myself up on one elbo- ex- "I wasn't lonesome at all-at lea an. not for very long. You see, MT. No ere reys telephoned and I went out to di