The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-12-31
Wheya 4 Giyg
 MOrriee
By ANN LESLIE.

CHAPTER AS
 What's the matter, Miss Rath- bun? ?" I asked, wondering at my nurses strange intentness on the &heck I'd just given her. i've en- dorsed it. It's all right. isn't it?"
 Kiss Rathhun looked up rom the snp o1 lavender paper .maC>- out to me by Mabel Storrs. She eyed me questioningly.
 'Its-it's too much-too gener- 99us. she stammc~ed. her eyes still ''No. the sum is quite right. But something is botnering you. What - l began. but at this moment Pat came in followed by Bertha, who which she insisted on holding while l tried few spoonfuls.
 You'd better get ready" admon- Ished Pat to Miss Rathbun. '"The charming young doctor said he'd give you ten minutes-no more. Now about adjusting our financial mat ters.''
 very genereously," replied Miss Rathbun with suspicion of moisture we were showing or because of the doctors high-handed methods, I couldn't figure out, But if there's anything I can do, I'll wait. I'd like to make up-for keeping Mrs. Harri- son from the brother she idolizes so. YCu see I've a brother" she stopped abruptly, and again l caught that |, strange, questioning look in her l. eyes.
 You're a nice girl" said Pat. 'Run along now and don't quarrel With your doctor-man, who undoubtedly means well but IS little .over-younG."
 There was something pathetic in the smile with which she answered. It struck me forcibly at the time and impressed me anew, when I came out to get into Anthony Norry's big car which was waiting at the left of the front steps while Dr. Norman's Sedan stood at the right. Lyons, who evil dent1y didn't dream with what sus- picion I received him, was standing respectfully by to help me into the limousine. Bertha and Hedwig came out to rival each other in fussing over me. And Pat was in the lovely, ten der way that's all his own Every attention and kindness for me, while Miss Rathbun, at the other side Of the steps. was lifting her suit case into Dr. Norman's car and climbing in aft CT it unaiGed.
 As we drove off, I dismissed Miss Rathbun ruthlessly from my mind. sank back comfortably against the the rich upholstery of TonyS car and burst out impatiently:
 .'Now what?' asked Pat quizzica1ly.
 Don't tease. You know I'm half mad from worrying about Neal. Tell me everything, please
 Meal is doing nicely. The fnflam- nation from his wound has gone rfII  put him back on his feet again. as I've told you before.''
 "How did he get the wound?" I de- manded.
 "Got back from Dreamwold earlier than he was expected the other day and found invader in his apart \ you aren't telling me anything" broke in. And I have to know"
 I'm telling you a,;eI eyergthing 8sf g,avyi you Meals in no danger He was shot by someone who broke into his when Hon he aont %af ons staae yourself. little sister. my trying to make me tell you . lot of things fl wouldn't do you a gi> of good to know if I had it in my power to furnish the narrative"
 ''If you had it in your power?" asked. Haven't you?''
 Pat jerked off his hat nervously and flung back his head, so a pass ing light glowed down on his gray hair and the steady light of his blue
 Anne I can't tell you another thing. Will you let it go at that? ?''
 What wo you mean?" I insisted tnpeIIed by physical weakness and the accumulation of dreads and fears which had been flashing at me for days.
 "Tu allow you just that one ques- ton and then you musn't ask another one I do know who NeaIs assai!ant was He told me because you were alone at DreamwcId and Jeanie and Phobe were in his apartment. the ver- place where 1t happened. So the lad thought there ought to be some man in the ia 7ntly who was up and about and primed for action"
 .'Did he tell you anything more ?" I gasped-
 Pat laid his hand over mine.
 Little Anne" he said, gently. you'll have to trust Neal and me with the secret of who held the gun that wounded him. And if there are Neal if he were all shir-shape, don't you think you'll feel safer trusting them to me because I'm q bit close mouthed about young Nears secret 7?
 '.I don't see why it should be kept from me" ru~mured half to my self" s.It's all part of my secret"
 But Pat heard, and, leaning toward me he asked in a low voice:
 Isn't the secret a few sizes 100 big for YOU to be carrying alone like this. Alanna? Couldn't Jeanie and ] help you to clear it up?"
 .'I don't think anyone could help mel" cried aloud with the force of
 And then a queer thing happened. Lyons stirred haIf-toIrned in the dr-v- CTS seat and peered at US.
 | wondered if my voice had been loud enough to carry to him, and what effect my words had produceS on the man who owed me so much and who repaid me with such aston ishing iugratitude and disloyalty
 In the discoura cing nlurk of his al most unbelievable conduct En dealng with the bat-earcd n7ap-and presum- ab'y with Dick West. too-one thlnF stood out. Evidently Lyons didn't dream that I knew of his actions.
 Bertha had kept faith with me. She hadn't warned her husba nd.
 (To Be Continued)