The Washington times., 1924-03-01
Read This Entertaining Serial in Which
the Author Has Woven a Thrilling
Romance of the Problems of
Married Life.


I heard Jim scrape to his feet.
Turning from the window, I went
forward and gave Ralph my hand.
1 couldn't try to thank him. But
was sure he knew how I felt.
I sank into chair while Jim
took Ralph to the door.
"Old Ralph wouldn't come out
and say what he thought" COM
mented Jim thoughtfully, when
he came back. But Of course
this is the end. Well, uncer-
tainty's the hardest thing to bear.
Now you-know, I'm counting on
you to be a good sport. It's all
for the best as 1 told you when
you got that anonymous letter."
"Yes-you told me that" I
gasped.
1T isn't as you were unpre-
pared" Jim went on. This
doesn't come as a shock. You've
known for some time. Only at
last you'll have to acknowledge
that the games up. I've realized
all along. Meals gone. There's
no doubt.
I'm afraid-there's a doubt"
I repeated mechanically.
"All want Of you is not to rig
yourself up in black Clothes"
Jim said. You know 1 never
could stand gloom"
"I'll try to save your feelings"
I said, smothering desire to burst
into wild laughter.
Neal himself seemed no further
away than Jim did in this moment.
When Jim met the evidence of
Meals death with a cavalier re.
quest that shouldn't wear mourn.
ing, I felt a hysterical desire to
shrek out into crazy laughter.
But in the next moment l seemed
to freeze to ice.
II won't wear black. I won't
make you miserable" I said al
most CURLY. But if I do so much
to-save your feelings, 1 want
I want to strike a bargain with
you"
Jim laughed easily. He drew up
chair and said pleasantly:
That's the stuff. thought
you'd take it like a sensible wom-
an. Neal was under a clou,l.
We were more or less under it
also. Meals gone. That lets us
all out. can't expect you to
share my feelings Of relief. But
do expect you to act like a
thoroughbred. You've won my re-
spect by playing up. Now what
can I do to play up in turn"
II want the baby. 1 want little
Carol" said brusquely.
What? Are you crazy?" de.
manded Jim.
II was never more sane. Jeanie's
nursery won't be empty long. If
I've got to bear losing Neal as
If it were nothing, If can't
show by sign or move that
my life feels empty, I'll have to
have some consolation. You don't
want me to bother you with my
troubles. I won't. But I can't
stand it-unless I have something.
I want little Carol"
AS I spoke I lifted my heavy
eyes to Jim's face. It was non.
chalant. He seemed no more
deeply concerned than If we were
discussing dinner guests and diff
fered as to desirable ones. But
when he spoke his voice was
pettish.
"Anne, cut out the hokum.
+ jeanne wants the youngster out
there at Dreamwold, where it's
doing very nicely. She wants to
bring up Phoebe's baby with her
own. She's equipped to mother
all the youngsters she likes. She
has nothing else to do. Besides
the country is the place for ba-
bies. All the common sense Of
1t is on her side. Moreover, she's
got little Carol and she has no
intention, present or future, to
yield the child to you. You seem
to forget that Carol is her only
sisters child"
"And your sisters child" I re-
minded him. mot to mention nv
brothers. 1--WE have the double
claim"
(Which I don't intend to press"
Jim said dryly.
mot IL I ask it? I pleaded.
Speak your piece"' said Jim.
TO Be Continued Monday
Our American hay crop has a
A..