The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-11-17
When A Girl
 Marries
By ANN LESLIE
CHAPTER DXIV.

"One of our troubles has, vanish ed" confided to Father Andrew slipping my hand into his as we drove down in Tony's car to call for Dad Lee. 'I got a nice. fat check from Jim's office today; so we don't have to worry about the wherewithai to take care of my presumed sia father hssa and fixed his eyes on me reproach- fully. "Babbsie, dear, don't be so ornenly about your poor old dad,' he said. Then he added, with an extra share of tenderness to make up for any hurt he might have given me: This check-does it reassure you about Jim ?''
 "Of course,'I said, rejoicing in the impulse that had kept me from mem not ask me about him now, dear. I'll tell you more-when I've the right to. You aren't hurt, are you? You mustn't feel as if I were shutting you out, because I'd never do that"
 "I respect the confidence you gave me this afternoon, Babbsie, and I'll be contented to wait for more until you're ready to give it." replied Fath- CT Andrew, with oId-fashioned cour tesy which didn't dismiss from my mind the possibility that I'd hurt him bit.
 Even if I had been compelled to put him off, 1t was for his sake-t' save him from useless worry about Jim and to prevent his making he roic effort to go after my husband: I realize that he'd be capable of mak- ing any sacrifice of himself, his time and hds little store at home to go in search of Jim. unless I managed to convince him that search wasn't nec- eSsary.
 The check from Miss Seorrs gave me my chance. I had accepted it solely because felt it would enable me to take care of Dad, Lee and re- Heve Father Andrew of the burden.
 But now the mention of it had given
 me my chance to put it into Father ! Andrews head that Jim was all right and didn't need my dear old man to start a searching party.
 l "Pll tell you more as soon as it's l fair,'' I reiterated. You're the only mentioned this matter at all. so you | see my lifelong habit of confiding 1T | Father Andrew hasn't changed just
 because he foists a brand-new father | on me-
 "You blessed child! said Father
 Andrew, giving my hand a hearty
 squeeze. ''You tempt me to be z
 selfish wretch and to gloat over the way you're shutting poor old stcl
 man out of your heart on account of me. But you don't have to stoT loving me sos to give your dad the
 devotion he's come half way a,cros' Il the continent to claim. Won't yol
 be kind to hin-for my sake %
 Ii Don't put 1t that way
 ''Is. it the way to persuade you
 Babbsie? Then do put it that way
 sos to make you, see the right of it
 Will you be kind and daughterly tt your dad for my sake?"
 II "Fll try hard" I repeated, chokin,
 down the repulsion in my heart. So when Dad Lee joined us I wa
 very gentle and very kind. But no |i even for Father Andrew could of fer the other man a caress of an, sort. Fortunately, he has an ab
 rupt, terky coldness that doesn't de sire kissing or caresslng.
 "I know dear little restauran where we three can be almost alone,
 suggested, as Lyons started the ca, up the avenue in answer to instruc tions that he drive about while W decided where to dine. "It has bfi leather divans all around the room and there's one bay window cfrclin out and away from things, so it ha almost the privacy of home"
 ''Thatn be f1ne," agreed Fathe Andrew. Its so early we'll ikel