The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-07-22

Copyright, 1920. King Features Syn
 dicate, Inc.
 CHAPTER 622
 I'd come to the meeting With Vir- ginia prepared to make my own terms. They included fair deal for Neal and Phoebe. But with the en- ,ente cordia1e established between us through the laughter we'd shared, I realized that there was no turning back to aloofness. No longer could demand that Virginia apologize and retract the bitter things she said to me the long-ago evening when Phoebe whisked out of her life. The suspense of the day when Vir- ginia went half mad looking for her little sister, has undoubtedly left it's mark. Virginia is bitter against Phoebe. She feels that she has cause to be aggrieved.
 V In a sudden rush of wisd om it came to me that I couldn't do any thing less diplomatic than interfere between Harrison and Harrison. To demand anything for Phoebe from Virginia wouldn't do a git of good. Instead of bringing them together. it would drive us apart. But as long as Rosa Cordova is Virginia's house. guest, Virginia and I cannot appear to be on any but friendly terms.
 As silence fell between us, inter- rupted only by our order for crisp | salad and coffee, I had given no an | swer to Virginia's insistent: ''This is between us. Anne. Be- | tween you and me aIone..' Virginia broke the silence. Her voice had a note of cOnstraint. 1T couldn't do less than offer my | hospitality to Rosa Cordova. That must have been Jim's idea, when he l sent her to me. His letter Of intro duct;on told me what he expected. | After I'd taken Mrs. Cordova under my roof I realized the inevitable next step"
 You mean" I flung out yielding to the pent-up bitterness of months, that you teIephoned me because the Harrison, pride can't brook the idea | of an outsider knowing there's any | thing wrong within our ranks Precisely. OUR ranks" said Vir- ginia meaningly.
 'sVirginia, Rosa Cordova is - in business. Yet you invite her into your home. You accept her. And whether you like her or dislike her, I'm sure you don't question her be- cia1ly well-placed," I urged. l You are right. And I see your point answered Virginia without making any pretence of not under | standing. You are asking me to retract all I said about you going into business. I can't. My attitude l toward Rosa Cordova is governed by Jim. She's working with him. You might say it is entirely in terms of Jim. But you're Jin's wife. You're working independen of him. I'm not guaranteeing you his approval. ] can't promise to make a stand against Jim. Are we back where we started %
 ''I like your honesty" I said slow ly. We've had laugh or two-not at, but with each other-so we car afford to define terms now. You're telling. me that you accept ne-but not my work. Is that it?''
 You've acted like a thoroughbred today" returned Virginia. ignoring my question. You've carried of what might have been a trying sit uation with a grace sincerely ad. nnire. You've shown stamina. I ad. mire that-even if Pm not sure Jim will like you starting a little busi ness of your own. I don't approve either. I don't like you taking III bachelor-gir1 quarters with Carlotta There are probably a lot of thing. about me and my actions you donf like. Am I making myself clear 9
 You mean - fair exchange?" asked
 Just that. t'II1 not interfere witr you You'll show me the same to1
 eration. We accept each other You're you, and I am I. Neither is to make a racket about the color oi the others hair-or she shade O. her prejudices''-
 You have thought it out" I inter. rupted, pigeon-holing the considera