Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-03-23
CHAPTER CLXvIrI.

s'2Ey. but I'm sleepy" y&wnsd Phoebe,
s $ she followed me into the bedroom on
ur return from the strange evening to
81 which she had treated me- II could sleep
tu noon. hope you aren't an early
user, like Wee. Breakfasts at $50 at
home and every enc has to be there"
I'VE won't get up till we wake up" I
q laughed. I'm pretty tired myself, and
i I promise to let you sleep as long as you
Mike"
THAT'S nice" said Phoebe casually and
4 indifarently.
Then we made our preparations for bed
In silence, punetuated by the most per-
functory remarks l had determined to
save my serious talk until morning. and
I didn't want to risk being startled out
Of my determination
n "Anne, you haven't said you enjoyed
four evening" ventured Phoebe In q
lghtiy abused tone after the lights were
Co was happy to be with you, dear"
y replied after a moments hesitation. "As
for the rest-let'S save that to talk over
In the morning. Good night"
"Good night" murmured Phoebe.
But long after her regular breathing
told me she was asleep l lay wondering
II 1t wouldn't have done my cause a little
good had 1 risen and gone over to give
little Phoebe a goodnight kiss.
When I woke the little clock on my
bureau revealed itself by slow degrees as
marking the hour of 8.
I tptoed out to the living room, set
things to rights and made the prepare
tons for breakfast. At 10 Phoebe still
slept, SO 1 ate my breakfast and got a
tray ready for hers.
Then I went In to run her bath, and
this time 1 didn't tiptoe. So presently
Phoebe awOke, and before long she was
tucked in among the pillows with her
tray.
This Is nice Of you, Anne" said Phoebe
coolly, as she finished her grapefruit and
advanced to her coffee and toast. But
where's your breakfast"
81 couldn't take anything except black
coffee and dry toast" 1 replied. "That
Chinese chicken was a bit too much for
me. Doesn't it bother you?"
ooh, I'm used to it," replied Phoebe
calmly,
you go to Chang Fueys a lot, don't
you, dear?"I began with restraint and
then at last, fiinging diplomacy to the
winds, let my heart speak. "Oh. Phoebe,
Phoebe, dear, don't like it! And 1 don't
like Envy or Mr.. West or Sheldon, either.
wish, wish. wish that you wouldn't see
so much Of them"
Poebe started at me with candid dis
taste for a moment.
They're my friends" she reminded
me.
"Not the right friends-not good enough
for you" I protested. "'I saw that for
myself last night, dear. You're too sweet,
too fine for them"
did you go along to spy?"
Phoebe's voice took on a sneering quail
ity not unlike that of Jim's when he re-
\sented my Interference with his view
point. She put back the tray and got to
the floor, slipping into the robe and san
dals had given her. Then she faced me
with curt little air Of dignity.
II didn't want TO go particularly" l
replied. 81 did want to talk to you,
though. And when you planned to save
me n lonely evening, I couldn't refuse
for fear of hurting YOU"
mo? Well, you're a little late in your
fears OF hurting me, Anne. And you're n
little late in your interference in my af-
fairs. Once I would have welcomed it.
When Jim married you 1 thought I'd
found sister. Later 1 thought you'd
just naturally feel like a sister. A fine
sister,
'Oh, Phoebe, dear. know that failed
you ofcen. But it was because I was
afraid Of Virginia, and didn't dare inter
tere. Now. you need me-
"NOw have friends of my own and
don't need YOU"
"oh. Phoebe. you do! They're the
wrong friends"