The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-03-28
CHAPTER Cxxx

CHAPTER CC"I It was Anthony Norreys who walk | ed across the hotel lobby at Terry's | side to join Betty and me And I had longed to see Jim. waited for the peace of calm. I always felt when Tony was near to come and drive away the disappointment that choked me when I saw it wasn't Jim. But. was so hurt couldn't cheer up-not even when Tony took my hand in his wiry. nervous left hand and said:
 You don't know what a joy it is to old soldier like me to be with | the three best pals in the world. It's as good as spring sunshine and sum- l mer bteezes. Anra, Betty, Terry! love! This is a holiday!" Mice Tony.' laughed Betty. Don't you know it's just as important to us
 to be. with you as it is to you to be | with us?"
 And on that happy, friendly note our luncheon party was keyed. After l a while peace came to me. My bitter talk with Jim the night before and it's cruel ending faded from my mind
 like bad dreams.
 At the end of the lunch, Tony made l a suggestion:
 go until 6, Betty. How about a spin out to the country in my car, and tea along the road? My afternoons clear, but if you girls have other pfanS, ana you tell me 70 run along, I won't act like a cry-baby about it-'' Splendid! That just suits me, and Anne daren't begrudge me these few
 hours, since. I'm going away for four weeks said Betty in tone I | thought it best not to deny. Say, Sister Anne; want to te1e- phooe Jimmie to join us?" queried
 Terry, and his words licked me on
 s'Oh, let mel" begged Betty, and I vyn nT,dn Sh ho6 S,fa nfoI | aright the crimson tide I felt rush to my cheeks at Terry's question 'tF1irt!" laughed Terry, and turned | to Tony with beaming eyes. 'tShe' s | so gay and skittish these days I can't 1 hold her.''
 As plainly as if he had said it, I
 heard the 'tB1ess her heart'' with
 which Terry finished that sentence in
 those two were putting up for each
 other. Fighting together side by side.
 We all went with Betty while she phoned. But she came out of the booth, shaking her head sorrowfully. l Poor Jimmie! That West person | hasn't come back yet. Jim's afraid
 he isn't coming until tomorrow-thats s l the second of the month-and I'm l sure all travellers ought to get back | on the first as we intend to do next mouth"
 "You'n be back the f1rst?" cried Anthony Torreys boyishly. 'AThen we four must get together and have
 a bang-up celebration in honor of oul | reunion"
 As his deep, clear voice rang out, 8 telephone booth back of us opened
 and out came Tom Mason-his face gray-white, his eyes snapping reo sparks. He bowed curtly, but he seemed to demand my attention ano | [ felt compelled to look after his re- | treating form. As he got to the door he turned and glanced back alt us
 and there was something in his eye that startled me
 tsWe'n have Jim and Virginia, too,
 declared Betty in a voice louder thai
 had ever before heard her use. I wonder if she had meant Tom t.
 hear; but he passed through tn
 swinging door without paying an.
 further attention to us. The word he had said down at Evvy's were ring
 ing in my mind though they hadn' any connection with the scene Ton
 had just witnessed.
 CT want you to be happy, and if J1n hurts you or wrongs you in any way
 We stood on the veranda of the olt
 Harrison place that mem orab1e af
 ternoon when Evvy and Neal upse their canoe. ttIf you won't let m
 try to make you happy, I won't le him make the most glorious woman in the world miSerab1e.'' Now. Tom Mason had seen m l standing in a group of which my hus
 band wasn't one, and had heard u planning a reunion of which agai1