The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-11-15
When A Girl
 Marries
CHAPTER CDXu.
By ANN LIsLE-

CHAPTER CDXII.
 AS I switched on the lights in the hall of my uninhabited-lookinga apart ment I wished I'd been able to screw up by courage to give Father Andrew some inkling of the state of my af- fairs It seemed dreadful that it must burst on him suddenly.
 Well, well, got the place shut up tight as a drum. Been staying out at Jeanie's or over with Neal while Jlms away?' asked Father Andrew in the most matter-of-fact tone in the world.
 Manlike he hadn't noticed the ghastly. !shrouded, unused look that that in them.
 .I've been stayng at Jeanie's," replied.
 tonight on account of having to meet ! your father for dinner, will you? But one night here won't trouble you' will
 "AlI aIone?' I gasped.
 Father Andrew strode across the living room to the chair on which l was draping my hat and coat. He me around to face the impell1ng glance of his kind, shrewd eyes.
 What do you mean by all alone % he demanded. Where's that Hedwig of yours and the cook?"
 "Gone? Why? Are-things that bad , with you, Babbsie? Tell Father An drew.'
 s'Oh, Father, Father" I cried, fling ing my arms about him and creeping into the strong clasp which always seems to tend off trouble or danger. 1T want you to be my father. I don't want anyone to take your place:
 Hush. Babbsie. Hush, child, he said, crooning it as tenderly as if I were his unhappy little girl again. s.No ones going to take my place with you or yours with me. ever. Did girl less? Did you forget your old Father when you married your Jim ? Does it change the love between us that it's in his arms you'll find the courage to bear this? When Jim gets back
 'eWhen Jm gets back" cried, be- yond needing what l was betraying as this unexpected last straw was added to the anguish of the day. But I don't know when he'll get back or where he is. .I don't know how things are with my boy
 hauled myself up short, mad with longing to unsay the words. But it was too late. The keenness of Father Andrews love had measured the situa- ton behind my words
 ''So you shut up your place here and sent the servants away. My poor, brave little girl You do all that and try to keep me from knowing. That's why you didn't want to bring me here, isn't it? Sos to keep me from seeing how things are with my Babbsie."
 'sThat's why" I confessed. "You have enough to bear. You've our Neal to think about. This may change things for him with Phoebe-with Vir-
 He's your father. dear" inter rupted Father Andrew gently. "He may be poor and old and not like you wish he was. But I'm not so much myself and you were never ashamed of me. Your friends didn't hold off
 From you," laughed half hysteri- cally. "As if everyone in the world wouldn't be proud to meet you. You darling! As if having you for a Father Andrew wasn't about the best recom- mendation I have to offer"
 That's very sweet. dear" said Father Andrew, pulling me down on the couch by his side. 'It makes an old man very happy to hear you speak so. But it would make a plain old man as unhappy to have his girl do anything unworthy
 'I won't do anything to make you unhappy, murmured against his coat
 Then you'll be kind to poor old Dad Lee. He's a sick old man, dear, and he has no one to turn to but you. And when he went out of my Martha's life it was to give her a chance. No scoundrel would have done that. He making shift to bring her happiness. Now, when he's old and needs you will you fail him ?"
 You're sure he's my father?" l pleaded.
 Certain sure, Babbsie. Otherwise I'd never have brought him back to cast the least shadow over things for you-and Neal. He has every proof Letters, dates, names, places. All the evidence to prove his claims. He's your own flesh and blood, girl Are you going to fail him ?''
 No. I'm not going to fail him-or you,'' I said reverently.
 T knew my girls" declared Father Andrew. Now about our Jim7 Where Is he?''
 'I don't know I replied carefully, lest I hurt Father Andrew by seeming ko refuse the confidence that could never have been dragged from me ex- cept for the half-mad moment that ; had torn it from my lips.
 You don't know? Babbsie, this may be your secret, but it's mine now, too. Ours. You've got to tell me more now that I know this much"
 I'll tell you all dare. Jim had to go away because he found out the stock he'd been promoting was worth less. And he'd believed in it and sold huge blocks of it to all his friends If there's anything to be saved, if those dry oiI-wells can be salvaged, Jim wants to do it for the friends who some clue-to go on and on-I don't know where. I don't know where he is, I don't know'-
 You don't know where he is, nor what's happening to him? You poor child,'' cried Father Andrew in his deep tender voice. I'm going to take care of my little girl. I'll tell you what I'll do, Babbsie, I'll go after hirn''-
 His voice traiIed off abruptly And when I stirred and turned to look at him, his dear face had turned white.
 Gro Be Continued.)