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Show Anne Answers the Queries : Of Elinor and Garry . Serial, Tomorrow's Promise,' By Temple Bailey CHAPTER 23 1 Downstairs Garry, helping Anne 1 trim the Christmas tree, was also 1 asking questions. "When are you 1 and Vicky going back?" "I'm not going back at all, Garry.'' "You mean you're going to stay here?" he demanded. "Yes. I'll miss ths children, but Daddy needs me." "Anne, may I come and see you?" "Why not?" She was tossing glittering glit-tering shreds of silver over the branches. "We're friends, aren't we?" "Are we friends, Anne? Am I forgiven?" She smiled. "Of course, Garry." "I acted like an Idiot, but I was . mad with jealousy of Patterson," It was the first time since Elinor had gone with David that Anne had called her "Mother." Elinor took the butterfly and bent and kissed Anne. "My darling!" dar-ling!" The darkling shadow which dimmed her beauty had fled. For the moment shs was a younger, sweeter Elinor, the women shs might have been had the waves of sophistication not overwhelmed her. When they had gone Anne went soberly and thoughtfully back to her tree. The tragedies of the old house once more weighed upon her; memories hung about her like shadows. She must not let herself be conquered by them. To surrender sur-render would be to go back to the old fears. sne natea to give up her school and her life with Vicky, but the doctor had been insistent. "Your father has been very much weakened weak-ened by his Illness," he had told her. "He needs you, Anne. After Christmas I'd like to send you south with him." And that had seemed to settle It Vicky would have one of her younger sisters take Anne's place In the school. And In Juns they would all be together. They must look forward to that "If you would onlv en will, Vicky," Anne had pleaded. ' Vicky had said quietly, but with decision: "My people need me at home." On Christmas sva Garry dined with them, and Betty Lanvale and her young husband, and a few others. Francis had Insisted on It "You've been shut up too long, Anne." i Garry brought Anna a pair of silver buckles set with aquamarines and brilliants. "For your little slippers," he said. "And I want you to have a satin gown to match the atones and a velvet cape lined with sliver. "Garry, I should feel too gorgeous. gor-geous. I'vs been living the simple life." "That's all right for a time, but you belong to a different atmosphere. atmo-sphere. I'd like you with a crown on your head and a golden scepter." "Garry la down, and we are very gay and splendid. My gowns are Contlnutd on Uw rpllowtns Pmml 1 r . I uiiv wm ,uii luMing stiver snreas . over the tree, and aha did not an-I an-I swer him. Her silence should hsve , warned him, but he went on. , "Whatever made him marry hia wife again?" ' She turned and faced him. "We'll . stay friends if you will stop talking ' about Charles. He did what was best and right, and I honor him 1 for It." 1 For a moment he said nothing, ' then at last with a touch ot sullen-' sullen-' ness, "You win, of course. In the 1 future we'll forget him." 1 They talked then about other ' things and shs kept him hard at work. "You're a great help," she told him as he hung a wax angel at tha very top. "I wish you could 1 be here to fix the electric lights." "Do you mean that you're asking me to come and do It?" ' "Yea. Tonight" "Anna, you're an angel. You ought to be up there Instead ot ths wax one." ' They laughed together and Ell-; Ell-; nor, coming down, looked from one 1 to the other. "Burled the hatchet ?" "Deep. Anne's a wonder, Elinor." . "I thought you always knew It" I "I did, but I'm learning It again." When they were ready to go Ell-' Ell-' nor said. "You must come and ses us, Anne. And we'll show you our dogs, Dsvld and L We hava soms TIJder'ul . haven't we,-Gar- "Yes. Elinor's specializing In hunting breeds, Anns. (Setters, ' pointers and beagles." "I hava Charles' dog. ' He's a beauty." Anne spoke without think- Ing, and har cheeks flamed as shs . became aware ot their curiosity. , Elinor asked with lively Interest: "When did you get him?" J "Charles gave him to me." "Before he went away?" "No, I had a letter . . ." Anna hated this catechism, but aha couldn't stop It She might stop ! Garry, but not her mother. ' "Queer thing, that marriage." Elinor was putting on her gloves. Than as aha ssw the flams In Anne's cheeks she said with unusual un-usual tenderness: "I'm glad he gars : you his dog, Anne." I Anne did not answer. Shs had turned from them and was untying i the rose ribbon which held the all- ver butterfly. When shs hsd it I free she held out the butterfly to Elinor. "Hang it oa your tree, Mother," Tomorrow's Promise' Continued From Pracadlna Paa) beautiful, and I wish you could see me In them. Everybody raves about the aquamarine satin that I bought to match Garry's buckle. My complexion is taking on a most marvelous suntan to set off my whit, sports dresses, snd I sm by wsy of being a great success, though I say it who shouldn't But I'm not spoiled, Vicky, so you needn't worry. I miss my school and I miss the children, and you mustn't think I'm forgetting. Som day I am coming back to you and to my lland." Vicky, reading th letter, wondered. won-dered. Would Anne ever come back? She was young and lovely, and men were waiting for her Garry and a lot of others. Youth called to youth. And life, as Anne had said, was "gay and splendid." To be continued Thursday Copyright, McClure Newspaper Syndicate |