The Washington times., 1923-07-07

"A|AAS AOA NC0A'
asked. "Or will you lie down and
rest a bit first?"
why should I lie down any
more than your" asked Virginia
so tartily that our beautiful close
ness Of the past few hours
seemed an impossible dream.
I'm a business woman-used
to going through straining ct
FORTS" I said. you've been 50
brave and sweet all morning,
jeanne. But it can't be easy"
Virginia laughed CURLY.
"It is easy for your" she de-
manded. Surely even-a trained
business woman must feel the
tragedy Of Phoebe's going"
Jennie, dear" I protested.
The words broke down the bar
riers Of her control, and she fell
to sobbing bitterly and wildly,
crying out that she couldn't
bear 1t.
When at last I managed to
quiet her, I suggested again that
she lie down. But Virginia had
swung back to her old-time poise
and suavity. She seemed deter
mined to assert her self-control
and the dignity and power which
had deserted her in the first
shock Of losing Phoebe.
At 1870 we sat down to lunch,
but we still thought Neal would
come in at any minute. I forced
down little food. jeanne ate
even less than I did. Suddenly
she pushed back her plate and
faced me with the perfection Of
poise that used to terrify me he.
fore I really knew her.
I'VE didn't finish our discus.
sion of-the baby's future" she
said. That's a matter we ough.
to settle promptly"
The Baby's Future.
"oh, not we. Jeanie," an
swered placatingly. IT'S Meals
baby. He's the one to decide.
Don't you think SOP"
Its my sisters baby" jeanne
replied with a restraint I could
feel.
Eyes, dear-but Carol is all
Neal has" I suggested gently.
Perhaps he'll want to take All
other apartment and find a nurse
and housekeeper-"
"You talk as If money were no
object" smiled jeanne.
"Of course, I'd like to have
Neal come to me-" acknowl-
edged. ut seems the most nat
ural thing in the world. I'm his
big sister and Jim is Phoebe.s
brother. We'd be glad to have
him. But somehow the sugges-
ton didn't seem to please YOU"
Still it's Neal who matters. .
suggested jeanne.
l fell into her trap.
That's quite true" I agreed.
Then Jeanie faced me, thin.
Tipped and unsmiling.
Its my sisters baby who mat.
ters," she declared passionately.
You are at business all day. II
you take the baby it will still ,e
matter of her being brought UP
by nurses and governesses. Thar
isn't how the-only baby in thu
Harrison family ought to be
trained"
l felt there was something N
Virginia's argument. But / was
practically certain that Neal
would never go to live with
Jeanne. And the one thing Of
vital Importance was to keen
Neal close to his baby girl and
in the warmth of a home.
No matter how much Jeanne
had to give little Carol, I couldn't
see the baby profit at too great
cost to Neal. But l didn't know
how to put 1t. And to argue
about the future Of Phoebe's baby
with Phoebe lying still in the next
room, affronted me beyond en-.
durance.
You have no answer" jeanne
asserted at last shrewdly. Her
voice broke in harshly on my
thoughts.
Let's wait and consult Neal,
begged.
irginia shifted.
do you think Jim will want to
turn his home into a nursery"
she demanded.
Her words chilled me. Thew
were spoken with such precision.
virginia knows Jim. Still didn't
permit myself to show any emo
'ion but one of gentle raillery.
How about Pat-and q nur
sery?' I asked.
Pat loves children" answered
virginia boldly. II never have
till now
l ITO Be Continued Monday