The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-03-26
CHAPTER ccxx1x.


 tfHow dare you ask Phoebe to re. ceive with you at your engagement tea? Don't you know she was en- gagged to Neal only a few months ago and that they still love each othery Is there nothing at which your cru city and sehshness will stop? You shan't hunailiate her by forcing her to come to your triumph-and in that hideous shade of gray that will spoil all her sweetness. can see you are counting on NeaPs chivalry to carry him through his marriage to you, but don't goad me too far or FTP
 This was what I wanted to say to Evvy when she showed me the hid- eous shade Of gray in which she pro- posed to deck Phoebe and march her in Miss Evelyn Mason's triumph.
 But I didn't utter a syllable of it. throw down the gauntlet like that ? For if I had, Evvy would probably have unanswered Neal into a posi- ton where his boyish rashness and chivalry might have caused him to elope with her tomorrow
 After a minute spent in conquetlng my longing for the satisfaction Of speaking out, I said this instead:
 stSilver gray-that might do for me. We'll, I haven't, time to stand luncheon engagement and must run along"
 "A luncheon engagement?' purred Esvvy huskily "Oh, wanted you to come with mel l thought we,u phone Neal and Jinrmie-or Tom, II you prefer. Now don't try to per- suade Madame to give you the gray and switch the orange to Val Cospy and the flesh to Phoebe. She takes her orders from me, and I hate the obvious Later you'n see how clever l was in my choice of coiors. "I don't question your cleverness, I replied, enjoying the force of my truthful reply. See you Saturday at seven, Evvy; So long: tho kind fates that had inspired me to make a. luncheon engagement with Virginia when I te1ephoned in my vain effort to speak to Phoebe several hours before.
 For weeks I have been avoiding a tete-a-tete with Virginia Ever since the day when I heard of the forming of the Dalton-Sturges Realty Corpora l tion and Meals connection with IT, I've been mentally sidestepping a dis cussion of it with Virginia It would hurt her. It must. Besides, it would be the one bit of fuel need ed to make her dislike of Neal lean into an active blaze wanted 10 keen it from Virginia. I didn't even want to get into a position where she might read discriminating knowledge in my eyes.
 l But now, as l set out eagerly TOT my appointment, I realized what a relief Virginia would be after my hour with Evvy When I arrived al the smart restaurant Virginia had | designated as our meeting-place, found her already there
 'fHullo, Jeanie! Am I bit 1ate?" asked apo1ogetically.
 "On time to the dot" she replied | 9eBut I like to be sure of my favor1te table on the Avenue side, so came early. Being seen in the right place! will help us back into the position il society that belongs to the Harrf Sons''
 l As I followed Virginia to our well oh osen table by the window reflect I ed intolerantIy that social position wa! l JaIl-important to Virginia, and in an other minute I recognized how mucf she'd pay for it. For, as soon as Vt had ordered, she settled back in hel chair and said complacently:
 | "It was nice of Evelyn Mason tt ask Phoebe to receive at her tea I'd like the child to be bridesmaid It's such a smart way for the righ people to get their first glimpse of girl. And by the Winter I hope wei be in a position to launch her form ally.
 Virginia" I cried, startled int
 brusqueness, t'sure1y you aren't goin, to let ESvvy Mason twist you around her little finger like this!''