The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-03-03
CHAPTER 500

CHAPTER 500
 "Phoebe!" I repeated in astonish- ment,
 But as I grasped the syllables my mind began to sense a situation, and I went on speaking with as much calmnesS and cordiality as if I'd seen Virginia the day before. and hadn't
 endured almost a fortnight of be- ing ignored by her as we'll as by Phoebe.
 "Come in, Jeanie, and I'll try to find you a quiet spot in this struck
 by-Hghtning room of mine,' I said quietly.
 me with feverish intensity in com- plete contrast to her usual poise and aloofness.
 "Where's Phoebe?" she repeated.
 Do you know? You must know.
 The earth doesn't open and swallow up girls-not girls like Phoebe" You've been dining with Carlotta. haven't you?" I replied, feeling my
 way carefully. and finding that the
 old awe for Virginia kept me from fHnging out an irrttated confession | that I hadn't the slightest idea what she was driving at. And so Phoebe was left alone at home. Didn't she stay put? ?"
 ''She hasn't been home since 10 this morning." replied Virginia breathless- ly. Where is she? Have you no idea in the matter. Anne? She must be some perfectly natural simple
 She must"
 ''she didn't come home for din- ner?" I asked thoughtfu11y. "Noi" cried Virginia, i1npaffently,
 pacing up and down the room with a jerky, halting stride very like Jim's g
 fashion of finging himself about when he is irritated. Never had Vir- giinia's resemblance to Jim come
 home more poignant1y than now. Her small Greek head was flung back with that taut look of being checked up which Jim always takes on in big l m ona ents. Her gray eyes smouldered to blackness behind their dark lashes and one corner of her mouth was lift ed in growing bitterness. I put my hand to my throat as if that could stif1e the ache of longing for Jim aroused by his sisters resemblance to him in looks and manner. Then in the face of her need, I fairly showed back my turbulent feelings and called out Anne Harrison of Haldane's- Anne Harrison, business woman. "P1ease, Jeanie,'' I said, hoping the
 use of Pats 1ove-name for her would
 make her feel my affectionate sym pathy. Tell me clearly just what has maddened you so and driven you to me-like this. Where's Pat? Did you leave him at Car1otta's?''
 ''I wasn't there," cried Virginia, i'm patiently. FI didn't get home till 6 from a luncheon out at the Royce's country place, I found Pats message, but I felt it would be kinder to Car
 lotta to let her have a few hours with my boy. They're such good pals Without me, though they'd discuss business and maybe the poor girl would get back her poise through thinking of the usual everyday things I got Pat on the wire and we saw il eye to eye, as we always do. Then ] sat around waiting for Phaebe. Oh the hours I wasted! It was almost before I began to wonder-another while before I started to act. And now what am to do?'' Maybe she's home by now. Peo- pie have way of coming just when you stop expecting them.' I ven- tured.
 'I left word with Amanda She'd call me here"
 -"Perhaps Phoebe went to the office after seeing Neal off. She'd hear of Carlotta's loss and gc straight up there. Did you think of that?' l asked.