The Washington times., 1920-04-22

Bis Popular Success.
sgD HoEBE-NBALp cried.
and again just that:
a "Phoebe-Neals
Then 1 rushed across the room
fairly bbbling my Joy even while
the unwelcome. unbidden tears
surged~ up TO my eyes. A second
later they were tangled ~ In my
arms together.
the glorious, Wonderful, unbeliey-
able thing come true under my
However much M wanted 10
eliminate himself. Tony couldn't
escape, for we blocked the door
way. After a minute Neal recoy-
cred his polse and, detaching him
self. crossed the room to Tony. who
stood a lonely ngure. but smiling
his blessing. .
"Norreys. old man" cried slangy
young Neal. rather POLITICALLY, give
me a welcome home. I've been a
long journey. but I've come home"
welcome home. young chap.
from wars and camps and journey
ings," replied Tony with an alto
gether satisfactory twinkle In his
eye.
He gave Neal a fine rousing
thump on the back, and then came
to Phoebe and me.
"I-about TO depart-salute you.
little Miss Phoebe" he said with
kindly understanding. 1--WE seen
nothing at all OF you since the
good old days when we were great
chums, and the little girl used to
kiss Uncle Tony good night at o
wasn't IL? A very protesting and
protested against o, too"
"IIl kiss you again" cried
Phoebe. Dear, dear Uncle Tony.
what a dear you are to forget the
day YOU came to lunch and read us
Betty's letter about. happiness, and
/ broke down and ran away like a
jealous little fool"
Her eyes sought Meals as she
spoke. And there was enough hap
piness there to make up for a mil
lion other unhappy times.
Dear me. / am getting OLD.
laughed Tony. 81 had forgotten.
But i haven't forgotten something
that was just said about your kiss
ing me-"
Phoebe Kisses Tony.
Then, STOPPING, he laid his left
hand lightly on Phoebe's hair and
laid his lips very gently to her fore
head. But Phoebe rose on tiptoe
and flung her arms around Tony
and she kissed him on each cheek.
on forehead, and then on his lips.
Very lightly. like flower petals, her
lips touched him.
"a four-leaf clover, Uncle Tony,
for happiness and luck"
Tony, without farewell glance,
murmured his good-by and hurried
away.
"A prince of. good fellows. The
salt of the earth" said Neal. and
added mischievously. What do you
say to our having him for one Of
the ushers at the great event, lit
tie lady?"
Phoebe blushed and buried her
face against my shoulder. And
though l was aching with curiosity
as to how all this had come to pass.
i just held out a hand to each and
asked never a question beyond.
ANY one care for tear"
Neal threw back his head and
shouted. After moment Phoebe
joined him. and, exchanging
glance, they seemed to consent mu-
tualIy to something i didn't under
stand. and falling upon me. they
dragged me down on the couch be-
tween them. Then:
Tell her, Neal" commanded
Phoebe.
"All right" said Neal. eagerly.
But, pulling himself up short, he
corrected himself gallantly. No
you, dear"
"Fd rather it was YOU" said
Phoebe, shysy. and slipped down in
to the nest my left arm made Tor
her.
"Babbsie, old lady. suppose you
wonder how it happened?" dueried
Neal, and, without waiting the az
firmative nod of my head to en-
courage him, he went right on and
told me. .'.
"rve been moping around the Of
fee for a couple of days that SEEM
ed like a couple OF years. Wonder
ing and wondering all the time how
/ could find out IL Phoebe still cared
And breaking a brain cell to figure
I'D tho