The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-04-30
When A Girl
 Marries
By ANN LESLIE. CHAPTER CCLXVI.


 Of course I didn't discuss Phoebe and Neal with Val Cosby.
 It was such a strange, delicate situ- alton that l hardly dared let myself think about it. much less talk it over with anyone Jim made it evident that he didn't want to go into the matter. I couldn't go to Phoebe and say anything like this:
 Now, Jim has driven Evvy into throwing Neal over. Hes free again. If he wants to come to you I suppose you'll take him back Yet, what could l Say2
 No matter how delicately I ham dled the situation, no matter how gently I approached it, anything ventured to Phoebe would amount to just this declaration. I couldn't go near Phoebe. And when it Name to Neal, for once in my life I simply brother and offer advice or comfort unless he asked for it. I couldn't in- trude-
 Yet I didn't see how they were going to find each other again unless they were helped. Could proud young Neal go to Phoebe and ask her to take back Evelyn Mason's rejected suitor Would Phoebe make one lit 1le gesture to encourage Neal?
 I thought in circles for a day or two. And then I decided to go for help to the kindest, sanest person I could reach-AnthOny NOrreys- IT Betty had been in town she would have helped me. Failing Betty, Tony was the one person l could turn to so I telephoned him and asked him to stop in for a cup of tea in the late
 It wasn't until he actually arrived ,at little after four and I was hand ing him his sugarless tea, pale with cream, that I realized had gon,@ around in another circle. l couldn't ask Tony's advice, after all. lis friendship I was entitled to, because it mine whether or not dlo anything about it. And however ne resented Tony I felt Jim was beSin1 ming to understand that But l couldn't ask his advice about Jim s little sister. I spoke up honestly
 Tony. I've dragged you in from the country a wild goose chase. wanted to ask your aid in a matter that needS-stralghtenInS out. ou'
 Cant straighten it out? You can't ask my help?'' asked Tony, his ten der smile warming those ice-blue eyes of his.
 Cant do either" I confessed more and more ruefully.
 And little fairy godmother Anne 1oves-fiXing things, said Tony m d non-committal tone.
 Ii occurred to me suddenly that any other man would have protested that I hadn't dragged him to town on wild goose chase. but that Just seeing me was reason enough for the 1rip And was thinking how much I liked Tony for never even drea m ing of saying it, when he startleo Hle by his next words:
 can't discuss with a chum like me perhaps it is matter you haNe Iro right to touch- Sometimes even IoH- ing interference stops kettle rom hoiIino or a rose from blosSomlng.
 "What have you guessed, you WIZ ard 9" I demanded. 1-ou may be agitating yourself over something that will come rrght II | Uou just leave it to nPe-to good OIo Dame Nature , other peoples business. as you're al. together too fond of doing OL course, you put it very swestly, Tony But it comes to that. sald' some TonV's wonderful deep voice sooth- ed me. though again he didn't protest nor deny. .,-. ,r,a The wrong ones are curt. The right ones gentle. You are a kind-heart. If it hadn't been for you, propabIy Terry wouldn't have his Betty today. Sometimes I think you're gong to help Virginia find happiness again. Rut don't wear yourself out over other peoples problems Nor over vour own-if you have 'em Remern- ber old Tony will always be happy and proud if you give him a chance to stand by you. Your friendship IS a wonderful gift. Iqn an old hulk, Anne, but feel as if there were gar lands over the broken umbers when l think l mean something to a beau tiful Soul-like you.
 "Oh, Tony" I cried, more deeply touched than I dared to show. Your friendship is real gift. I'll always
 Tony laid his left hand over mine for half second Then he rose And I noticed that though his lips smiled his eyes were sad.
 That's the best life you can give me Anne" he said quietly. 4 our friendship'' After a moment he added Your friendship, Betty's. Ter rvs. Virginia's. Just to think or vou-all-pulls me out of the slough of despond whenever I tumble in.
 Are you ever sad. Tony" l asked in astonishment. Let me help you when you are, as l know you'd help me"
 ''rI help you whenever you ask Anne" said Tony in a % voice that add l strangely, You do help me when I'm sad. Be sure of that. Perhaps you may be helping the people you long ed to aid today-helping them by your loving thoughts and desires"
 On the very words.and before could puzzle over Tony'S utter sol emnity. I heard Bertha opening the front door in answer to a ring of moment or so before Then there was the murmur of voices. a rush across the hall and in anCther mo- rnent the doorway framed two fig IIres smiling. blushinr. calling to me and standing shyly awaiting my re- sponse-
 It was Neal and Phoebe -togcther- hand in hand.