The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-03-22
Read This Entertaining Serial in Which
the Author Has Woven a Thrilling
Romance of the Problems of
Married Life.

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thankfulness for the days work.
know that it is my interest in
my business which counterbal-
ances Jim's power to hurt me.
And I can. actually smile as l
think Of Jim's resentment Of the
work which is undoubtedly the
greatest rival a man with strong
sense Of possession can have.
AS Betty wasn't in the office, !
had a lot Of extra work to do,
and plunged in so deep that !
couldn't help looking up with
something like annoyance when
my office door opened after a
brisk knock, and felt rather than
saw someone standing waiting for
me to give him my attention.
CHANGING up, with half my mind
still on my work, saw Pat stand
ing in the doorway waiting for a
welcome. At once / reacted to his
warm smile and cried out:
Hello, Pat, you nice person!
It's good to see you. Come in and
sit down.
Pat flung back his head and ran
his fine hand across his forehead
and crest Of gray hair with the
old nervous gesture I'd seen him
use so often in the days when he
and Jeanne were estranged.
Have you ever been after
doubling on account Of me that
there's such a thing as friendship
in this blatherskiting world Of
ours. Alanna?"
why should II" I asked with
GREATNESS sense that there was
something very serious behind
Pats question.
I'm your place, it's myself
would have been doubling it,"
Pat answered simply.
"Why?" I asked again.
why? IT'S like this. When
it was myself was in the bad
trouble owing to how I'd driven
jeanne from me by my careless
ways and not understanding her
pride, twas you who took one
grand long look at Pat Dalton
and said to yourself, IT'S honest
he is and worth the helping"
THAT was how I felt" I
smiled, puzzled. But what
makes you speak Of it now"
Pat flushed and again ran his
hand nervously over his hair.
I'm after speaking Of it-be.
cause when twas your brother
who was deep in the trouble
didn't take one good look and
say, IT'S honest the lad was and
tits worth helping Is the sister of
him when she's after standing
by him."
I could feel the blood rushing
to my face. I looked at Pat in.
tently, but I couldn't find a word
to say.
did you never feel bitter in
the soul of you because bread
bread on the waters was after
bringing you no gratitude?" Pat
demanded.
fumbled for words.
II was SO badly hurt, that one
more or less-didn't matter
much"
with Jim against the boy, no
one else could be after making
you care much the one way or
the other" said Pat half to him
self.
"Oh, I wanted someone to be-
lieve" I cried passionately. "At
first when ! found that Jim and
you and Jeanne didn't, I thought
I couldn't bear 1t. It seemed so
faithless-to Phoebe. And It hurt
me so. At first I even told my
self bitterly that It was traitorous
to Neal. Then Pa. and Carlotta
didn't believe either. I stopped
resenting those who didn't. was
grateful for those who did"
"Tis myself who should have
been the first to stand BY" said
Pat gently. But twas honest 1
was in my feelings and twas be-
yond me to make up a lie even
for you. So now You have the
truth again and tits believing it
you'll be from one who'd give a
great deal If he hadn't hurt you
sore and If he hadn't failed the
boy"
"You mean you believe in
Meals honestly" cried, trem-
bling and not understanding the
miracle.
TO Be Continued Tomorrow e.