The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-11-28
When A Girl
 MUrries
By ANN LIsLE
CHAPTER Cpxx


 matter of two hours, Alanna. But you're like the most of your sex selusfve.' said Bat rising to greet me when l arrived at his office within five minutes of the time he'd called me from my interview with Miss Storrs. the young woman in charge of Jim's offices
 And here I was in the same struggling to readJust myself from my disturbing quarter of an hour with Miss storrs and to talk calmly had to be the goodness out of the machine and to tell you that.
 For once in life time she,s done some 80 % one a good turn" chuSkled Pat; ours as we'll. But I'd never have figured out the hotel or Jims offices as places to get you. Maybe that's only after proving I'm what you call bum guesser. But have you no natural curiosity. woman? Don't you pine to know why I'm needing you in
 I'm dying of the same curiosity that killed the cat. But far be it from me to confess 1t to a mere man," replied.
 Iris family affection then bids me save you. Car1otta, who is an excel lent real estate woman. has an offer on your apartment, which is worth the taking. litt1el ady," Pat told me gravely.
 "Oh, Pat!" I gasped.
 I could't say more. There was apartment-a terrifying acknowl- edgement that Jim was actually gone and that life had to be readjusted on that basis.
 With merciful tact, Pat plunged ahead:
 We've too many empty apart 1nents in our family. For them to be standing idle like this is a crime, right Keep more than one place as local head quarters, and we might have been furnishes that. So I'm thinking the fellow that gets the offer on his rooms is lucky
 q can't" I began; then I choked should?"
 Faith now. see how she's taking Pats lecture to heart. That's very satisfying to the lecturer, my lass Hut flattered as I am to have you ready to act on my word, I want you to be sure that you-don't mind
 Pats vivid blue eyes questioned o me me smoothed his hair with the nervous gesture I'd learned to know back in the days when his separation from Virginia was brea king his heart. Now that I was enduring a. separation which was no less cruel, though so very diff ferent. I wondered how much Pat guessed, how much he sympathfzed.
 For minute sat silent, strug- Elinb with my feelings I didn't want to give up my home. I didn't want to cut myself off like this from the place where Jim ad I had been so happy I couldn't even bring myself to ask Pat any practical questions about the offer he seemed to take 1t for granted I wasn't going to refuse.
 Suddenly he laid his hand over mine in a tight grip as kind and brot'herly as Meals would have been- Then he put before me all the de- tails The tenant who wanted home quickly and without the exception Of getting 1t together was financially tonishing rental. The sum fairly
 Wont all that money come in handy?" asked Pat suggestively wanted to shriek out:
 ."No. no! Nothing can buy my home!"
 But I found myself halted sLte by sob sob. would free me from dependence on Miss Storrs. Not only would it save me from drawing money from Jim office funds, but 1t would enaple me to lay aside fund for wonderful purpose. When my Jim returned I'd have the nucleus of a sum knew he'd have to gather or have no rest. 1T fhe wells proved worthless he'd face life under the urge of reimburs1ng his friends for their losses. Any money I could lay aside was step In that direction.
 When must I give possession! 7! asked abruptly.
 Pat threw back his head with a shout of relief:
 "You're a fast thinker, a faster worker and a brave sister. but you've skipped a step or two. There is the law to reckon with, Alanna. These folks want to get in today or tomor- row at latest. So Tlf arrange to draw Gp sublease at once and that youll have to sign-you've power or attor- hey of course"
 '.My business training stood me in good stead then. In moment l left his power of attorney with the woman who had charge of his office. 1he mere fact seemed almost une1. durable-I didn't see how couio bring myself to tell Pat.
 q haven't power of attorney" confessed stun1blingly. "I-naturaily Jim had to leave some one In charge of his office. And Of course that person must be able-to sign things"
 want to ask the young chap to come down here?" asked Pat, showing the telephone toward me.
 Maybe I'd better take the papers np there as soon as they're ready. countered. and then. under the kindly scrutiny of Pats eyes, the brust from me:
 There's a Miss Storrs in charge of 1im's office. I'd rather take the pa pers up to her-go over the matter alone with her.
 "Of course. dear. I'll hustle the documents right along for you" said Pat.
 had no way of telling whether he accepted the idea of a woman In charge of Jim's affairs as a matter of course, or If he 1elt It lactIul Io avoid comment.
 ed and in walked Neal