The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-11-14
When A Girl
 MUrries
By ANN EIsLE
CHAPTER CDxI.

CHAPTER CDXI.
 When poor old Lucky Lee'' fin ished. his story. I found myself con- vinced against my will that he was my father. His last words challeng- ed my attention and I leaned forward murmurirg in astonishmen.:
 You came back because you felt needed you-not because you need ed me. Why? What do you mean sby that? g"
 "Ain't that natural?" he asked Fpeevishly- Did you have it all doped Hny tony kin? You ain't very gentle sn 1udgin' your old dad, are you?''
 I'm sorry I said contritely- But at that very moment of being con- lvinced against my will that this was s1ny father, I felt my heart surging lout in love to dear Father Andrew, sfectly my father for long happy gears.
 Want to hear why came back % asked Lucky Lee; running the tip of Fof tasting something good.
 "Yes," I replied with an eagerness T didn't understand.
 '.All right, I'll tell you. But not five had all the excitement I can stand up under for one morning. l got to go and lie down a spell or wont be no good to you nor no one lyou get me that swell car of your rich friends. and take me to my !hotel? want to lie down straight to the hotel," broke in Father Andrew in his rich, musical voice. Taking this long journey in as I feared. But, child"-he turned patient eyes to me-"your father was ;so anxious to get to you"-
 His voice broke off on what knew u be kind to this poor old man. So U spoke very gently:
 well drive you to your hotel, Dad HIee, and then Father Andrew and l will visit a bit. We'll come back for gou at whatever hour you designate"
 'I could stand restin' till six. Is hhat the tony hour for dtnner?" ask ed Dad Lee enormously.
 "We'll call for you at six, Lee, said Father Andrew.
 Again I had the feeling that he was Interpreting his strength and kindness between me and the man he was afraid I'd hurt. When Father Andrew paid the check my distaste and misery threatened to we'll up again and make me say cruel things. It hurt so to see the dear old man hard-earned savings on this repro bate father of mine. And I was doub1y bitter that this burden had come just at the time when could mt shoulder 1t but had to stand by and watch Father Andrew generously take on my obligations.
 When we got out to the car Lyons was nowhere in sight. This struck me as strange, for during all the happy time when he'd been driving my big car he'd never been the sort essary to honk the horn mad1y to summon him back to his post.
 This time. however. 1t took many notes from the familiar horn of 'his'
 r I, Ice ,, came out of a nearby alley-way, I gave my orders quickly, never re- 1axing my instictive, vtgilant watch Of the ho1e-in-the-waH whence Lyons lima agination, and even if it was &C., tuaIIy as I thought perhaps coinc1- dence explains 1t. But just as we drove away, with the sudden jerk of ond time, I felt sure that I caught a glimpse of the bat-eared man strid- dng jauntily out of the mouth of that alley-way-
 My attention was diverted by an- other quick jerk as Dad Lee sank low in the seat with head and shoul- ders hunched forward Father An 1romptly, but Dad Lee was so tense we had trouble in pulling him back to normal position. His face was ghastly. his lips twitching.
 he mumbled. Pull down the fancy window-shades. will you? The light hurts my eyes.
 We compiled with his wish. and when we reached the hotel, I was prepared to have Lyons and Father Andrew carry Dad Lee in. But by this time he had recovered, and. de- nurse just yet he skipped bris6ly across the sidewalk and was swal- lowed up at once by the gaping door way.
 "we've three full hours. Let's spin out into the country"
 Father Andrew shook his head.
 "Td, rather go to your home; bit of comforting and strengthen- ing I'm still your Father Andrew. child-your father in love after the dictates of my old heart. Let's go to talk over whats hurting us and worrying us"
 whats the use. dear?" I said. eff that mans my father, he's my father and I've got to bear 1t. I've got to fight it out with my own soul and get over hating him for deserttng my mother. I've got to bring myself to believe that he left us for-her good. So I don't want you to worry one hit about me. If can't win through, this. I'm not worth much Whats to be thought of is-NeaL
 ''I don't want his to affect Neal. I don't want Virginia to think 1t changes him. If Jim were here to stand up for him, his having such queer connections wouldn't be al lowed to spoil his life. Let's ride out into the country where we can think clearly"
 why, don't you want to go home where we can think clearly and talk plain and move about 8 bit?" asked Father Andrew, his deep, steady eyes on mine.
 'I thought 1t would be better to i drive" I countered uneasily. ''It would be better to sit quietly at . home and talk" said the dear man with a quiet air of finality.
 So directed Lyons to drive to my apartment, the apartment I had hoped not to set foot in again un- til Jim returned.
 (To Be Continued.)
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