The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1920-09-23
When 4 Girl Mn7ries
(Continued.)
By Ann IAaie. Copyright Da4 by King Featmes synd1- ca1s. Incl

(Continued.)
 "Did she seem nterested-irnpress- ed at all? % asked Jim anxious1y.
 It seemed queer that this was the him most. had thought he would either be annoyed at my borrowing from Virginia or amused at the way it turned out that I need never have done it. But his hood was very thoughtful, and he scow1ed a bit and went back to brushing his hair again in silence when I told him that Vir- ginia just tookSheldon's admiration for granted. He settled his cuffs and se- lected his tie and collar before he spoke again, but his words made me realize nothing I said had escaped him.
 You must have a regular allow ance, Anne. Pm going to turn over the Haldane check to you each month. I wish it were more-but. at least, you can be sure of that hundred dol lars. And with this game ankle Of mine about all you can be sure of is the money I underwriting about it-''
 "oh. Jim, tell me the truth!" I scarf "Is that inspectorship too much for you? You must give it up at once"--
 Jim laughed.
 There we go off at a tangent again I like my job-fne. Now I'll 6o SSS IlOW near Ieduy youHS ANSdl Ao and you stop prettying me up and do a little prinking of your own.''
 I hurried into my very best gray chiffon - chief extravaganza of my engagement days-tucked an orchid artificial and guaranteed to last a years coat of amethyst chinchilla cloth, and with little prayer that Virginia might like Jim's lilac lady, I hurried out to join my two handsome "boys'
 On the way out Jim stopped at the telephone desk to leave word that he was at the Rochambeau in case Mrs. Bryce and Captain Winston called I couldn't stide pang of jealous won der. Was it Betty with whom Jim had made plans for the evening - without consulting me.
 In another minute I just choked that fear to death and girded myself for the winning of Virginia.
 She greeted us very graciousfy on our arrivalEand her cordiality ex- tended to Neal, who was too absorbed in Phoebe to notice whether or not Virginia was among those present at her own party. Things went along splendidly at first. and I began to at least like me-even if the warmer loving were several degrees removed.
 After a delicious and well-chosen dinner that stayed within the war llI1le lnTee COuISeSs FhSllld SQS- gested that we go to the little game room" for our coffee and cordials. And when Neal followed Phoebe's lead and said he didn't want so much as creme-de-menthe, I decided that this was indeed the end of perfect day.
 Everything looked peaceful and like the best Autographs of ''The Happy Family There sat Jim and Virginia and I slipping the pretty emerald green mint through tiny straws. and chat T, s10 Neal and Phoebe balanced the little tumbIing figures of the odd little game called "culbuto' and Phoebe cIapped her hands with delight when ever her opponent jugg1ed one, of the leaden little men into the hole marked "1O0,"
 Suddenly I became aware of the fact that Jim was watching the game with avid interest, and that Virginia was watching Jim with two creases between her swal1ow'S-wing eyebrows. There was something breathIess about the pose of both brother and sister. But even while I was wondering what it could all be about, Jim strengthened up, glanced around the room and with a glad cry rushed over to greet Terry and Betty. who stood in the doorway searching, no doubt, for us.
 Betty was marvellous in the jade green she so often affects. She was as distinguished in her odd, mermaid way as NlrSlnld III ueT IudIUle dIeeh. statue beauty.
 "who is that charming woman ?' asked Virginia in the most enthusi- astic tone I've ever heard her use to or of anyone save Jim.
 Betty Bryce-she's a friend of Jim's-he met her abroad" I re- piled in a tone I struggled to keep even and uncolored by a new phase of the jealousy Betty always caused me.
 But all during the rest of the even- ing that fear grew. For the Virginia who was revealed to Betty was warm, interested, gracious, anxious to please. Without effort Betty evoked in Jim's s sister a friendly warmth I had strug- gled in vain to summon. In a chill premonition I was myself ''outside the pale" and Betty and Virginia-frienda.
 Chapter XLVI.
 Before Virginia's dinner at the Rochambeau was over I issued in vitations to our postponed family dinner.
 And all during the day of my party while I was deep in nervous yet hopewul preparations for it, re- membered Jim's delight because I learned across the table in the little card room issuing a laughing man date to Betty and Terry:
 You two are included because you're our closest friends-Jim's S war family So you'll break all en- agreements and come, won't you?"
 They accepted and yirginia cried with real enthusiasm:
 How jolly of you, Anne, and how equally jolly of you two to cancel your appointmen ents for us.'' The first thing had done to win Virginia's complete approval was to invite Betty Brice to dinner. ,-. That came to me next day with such force it almost caused me to drop the fish ring I was examining with terror lest for the first time in my career as a co, k it refuse to jell. I rescued the mold, put it back on the ice prayerful1y and advanced to the next cours@chicken en casserole l By the time that was steaming away with a savory promise, my shortcake was ready to come out of the oven l and cool a bit in anticipation of its | gentle burial beneath peaches and l cream.
 Then came a furry of final pre- l paration-setting the table, dressing and experimenting Jin's tie and | Nea1s hair. l After that came the delicate task | of. greeting the guests in a manner that would seem unhurried and make l Jim proud of his wife and full o1