The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1920-12-29

When A Girl
 Marries
By ANN ITSLE.


 Well. it would take a dozen cups and a glass thrown in to cheer you up tonight" repeated Carlotta a trife bitterly, and then added in an escaped me: Anyway I can't cheer you up tonight, and it's the first time I've failed-why is that?'' Each new note seemed more jar ring to the conversation and my nerves than the last. so I was heartily glad when we arrived at the demi tasse stage, and the end of our dinner was mercifully immi- nent.
 I'm walking home with Mrs, we'll be talking over." said Pat with engaging frankness that brooked no denial of it's plans. Again I sensed undercurrents in; the tiny pause before Tom rose to | the occasion:
 'tWin you do me the honor of a promenade, Carlotta2 It isn't often 1 I manage to steal you for part 1 ner.''
 I'm tired" retorted Carlotta. 'I've been on my feet at the can teen all day. If you don't mind. | I'd like taxi-and if you do mind, l I shan't mind going home alone" Tom protested. Somehow it sounded a little hollow. and I found myself | rejoicing that he WaSn go2ns to tahS me home-despite Jims 'Ecommis- | sion.''
 ..Its all right, your being with me?'' asked Pat anxiously when finally our party broke up ten min
 s.Al right?" echoed stupidly-
 .It won't cost youEit doesn't
 hurt-Jeanie won't mind' Pat
 yr<,,lghr out stunblingIy: or.
 ren1ied with the frankneSS
 thought would hurt Pat less than any evasion of the absolute truth.
 It came to me as I spoke-that I
 didn't want to hurt Pat. In spite Of my affection for Virginia, in
 spite of my suspicion that he caused
 her a great deal of unhappiness, in
 much of weakness in Pat Lafton,
 found myself unwilling to cause
 "mother" him. There are men like
 instinctively try to protect even
 from themselves. I wonder if that
 quality can have a contributing cause to the drifting apart of Pa- You asked herr" Pat repeated
 ard laughed g. bit unsteadily. that's : all right. Then I'm glad Jeanie , doesn't want to cut me off your = you to be my friend, but not at the price of her friendship. If it ever comes 70 choosing between us, take : her. q won't come to'-I began, but Pat interrupted.
 ''still, if ever you must drop one
 of us make it Pat Dalton. Prom
 ise! Promise you'll stick to Jeanie as long as she'll let you! Promise!" t'I promise" I replied, trying to | laugh off lightly even while I won [ dered uneasi1y if ever it would come | to a choice.
 ! ''EsII r3sht---that's understood; and i if you ever cut me dead, I won't | have the law on you for it. Now. I'd | like your permission to bTtt right | into the midst of Harrisonia, Mrs. < Jimnie.''
 "You may fire when ready, Grid
 ley" I replied lightly, but with
 heavy heart getting ready, for it
 knew not what revelations.
 t'It's about Phoebe said Pat-and my heart took an. inexplicable up- ward leap.
 7 s'I don't like the folks she's trav- , cling around with. I don't like the ' places they take her She's hitting 2 2 Phoebe-kid; and I'd like to see you-slow her down." s. ''What do you mean-that sounds , pretty serious, MT. Dalton $ youngster like Phoebe travels
 around with man like Richard
 West night after night" said Pat; l earnestly
 9 ''Dick Vest" I cried, 'surely you Q don't mean that?" . q do. He's not the right sort for = Phoebe to know. I've been min- e ing man out west myself, Mrs. t Jimmie-and I know Vests dances O hall reputation. He won't do for - little Phoebe.
 Are you sure g I repeated in a - daze. and forced by som ething u within myself to withhold the in f formation that Dick West was Jim s partner.
 To be Continued
 to tell YOU that freckles are rarely a.