The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1920-12-10
WHEN A GIRL MARRIEs
(Continued.) CHA PTER CXXXIX

When I got to the theatre at a quarter past eight Jim was waiting With him was Dick West. l had a sudden feeling of relief because it wasn't Tom Mason, as I had been fearing ever since Jin1's abruptly end- ed telephone message to me.
 Military promptness, said Jim. beaming! We HarTisons are never late. West. Anne. meet the new irm-Harrison. West and Company, oil stocks q speciality"
 Shake, partner!" said Dick West with a conscious exaggeration of his
 He seized my hand in the smooth fingered grip of his slim brown ones, and flashed his sharp brown eyes across my face. smiling slightly twisted maroon-1ipped smile. Good looking, alert, and with that touch of the exotic that marked his sister Doris. Dick West struck me again as man to like. but not to trust.
 The now firmi" I said smiling in set fashion, even while I was gather ing impressions. T hope you'll al- ways do as well as with Salt Water OIL Let's hope this play is a jolly ginning. And we've our Betty safe again, too"
 "Betty?'' asked Dick West idly.
 Jim scowled. either at my in-suc- cess in seeming cordial when didn't feel so. or at what he had to tell.
 "Oh, a girl who threw a scare into us. But that's all over now. We aren't going to this show, Annie Couldn't get a thing at any of the agents. We'll jump a taxi and go round to the Burlington. Drysen said he'd have something there for me"
 So we slowed sourselves away into taxi with the calm extravaganc ce of the ncw-ricll who forget how they have walked tho week before to save carfare And we wi1ir1ed over to the other theater, where Jim hurried up to the box off1ce and demanded the fou- tickets Drycen had sent over for
 Best we could do was boz" said the ticket agent.
 'Il1 take it." replied Jim care lesely, showing a yellow bill under the ticket window
 "But, Jinl-that's wasting three seats" l murmured aghast. And then, before Jim could express the annoyance that seemed flashing at me from his eyes, Dick West broke ia:
 hey ought to serve theater boxes filled or empty as required. It is a shame to waste the seats. Why not phone for that pretty little sister of yours "
 GO to it!" laughed Jim. ''That'll please Phoebe and save Anne from an attack of conscience"
 Well, I'll toll you what's better than phoning? exclaimed MT. west with what seemed an effort to ap- pear suddenly inspired. "I'il run round and get her. I've just remeTn- bored that she's dining with Miss Ma eon-she mentioned 1t last night. So I'll bring the hostess along and see if I can't ick up another man. See you later, folks"
 Hardly waiting for Jim's nod of approval, he hailed 0 taxi and was whIriod away.
 Might as wei chaSe in and sec the beginning of tho show" said Jim "I'il leave the tickets in the box of- nco. Wost'll gucas where they are all right"
 managed to swallow all com ments, exclamations, obpjocuons and questions and meekly preceded Jim into the thenter and down the aisle to tho stnge box. Tho opening cho- rus was already on, but l received my reward for amiability and discre- ton when Jim stopped swiftly in the shadow of the heavy curtains at the back of tho box and kissed me.&
 The front of the box for youfs, little lady" he whispered, You look pretty enough to divide applause with Inc front row chorus"
 How about the starr" asked, prccning myself pertly and making ready with great delight to flirt with
 Infant. you look as If you might De her granddaughter"
 Jim laid his fingers on my sh oui- ,er and propelled me to the front of