The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-10-24

which must satisfy me because
they were what Jim wanted me
to do.
The fortune we must lose
through my failure to go deeply
into the Shipping Corporations
transactions seemed nothing.
felt myself on the road back to
Jim's heart. That was enough.
I was SO deep in my work that
darkness and 8 o'clock came be-
fore 7 realized. And at 8 / was
due at Betty's for an evenings
work with Peter Stanley, Ralph,
Betty and the two directors Of
the shipping company. It would
take me at least twenty minutes
to get to Betty's, so / took down
the receiver end telephoned my
explanations and apologies.
TN take a taxi ana be there
in twenty minutes, I said.
Wait a minute replied Betty.
"Oh-Anne, Ralph says he has
his car ana hen shoot down in i
jiffy and get you. Peter was de-
layed, too. So II you're here by
nine-thirty It win be all right.
Wait for Ralph. See you later
dear"
was too worn out by the
great decision to argue over
trifles. So accepted the plan
and went into the washroom to
freshen up bit. Just as I had
arranged my hat and veil and
was slipping into my coat, /
heard Ralph striding across the.
outer office. And in another mo-
ment he came into my office
with the look of poised and har-
1nonious well-being so completely
characteristic of him.
Hello, Annep' he greeted me.
Betty said to scold you for
working 50 hard. But I haven't
the heart, for I know how you
love your work.
II surely do" acknowledged
automatically.
AS / said it / realized how
everyone would wonder when /
gave it up. But that didn't mat
ter. It was the price must pay
for Jim's love.
Have you had anything to
eat?" asked Ralph, accusingly.
"A sandwich and Coffee" an
swered.
"I thought So" he frowned.
''That isn't enough. Betty has
some hot dinner waiting and II
we hustle right along you'll have
minute to get some decent hot
food before you plunge back to
work. All ready?"
"All ready" I replied. ''But we
can't hold up the rest Of the
crowd while I take nourishment.
"Oh, yes we cam" interrupted
Ralph grimly. you've got to
keep in trim for this extra-special
job"
SURE OF THE END.
Then he helped me lock up and
turn off the lights. On the way
down to his car lie broke the 81.
|. lence into which we had fallen by
saying gently:
"Anne, don't you think I've
been stacking on our great search
because we've so much new work
to take care OF. I've been in
touch with our searcher for lost
persons every day. And old Hen
naberry is on the trail like a
bloodhound. I've nothing to re-
port. But a quiet week Is likely
to be followed by encouraging
news. I'm sure we5re getting
nearer Neal all the time"-
I burst out into a hysterical
laugh. For a few hours I'd for
gotten Neal. I had a terrible
sense Of disloyalty. But set my
lips and said gratefully:
Wen never give up. will we
Ralph? Well find Neal"
"We'll. find him. said Ralph.
He's somewhere top-side this old
globe of ours and you and I are
going to discover that somewhere
if it takes our combined fortunes
and turns our hair gray.
wen find him at any cost" 1
answered grinly.
Then / realized there could be
no question of giving up my bust
ness. For Meals sake I must go
on earning the money to carry
on the search.
After all, there Is one thing |
cannot sacrifice for Jimmy duty
to Neal and his baby.
Ralph and I drove from my Of
flee to Betty's apartment in
silence. He was showing his re-
spect for my WEAKNESS and permit
ting me to have a few minutes or
relaxation before plunging into tn"
evenings work on the shipping
company's intensive advertising
campaign.
But I wasn't relaxing. / was
sitting and thinking as we drove