The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-11-25
When 4 Girl
 MUrries
CHAPTER xCXK.
By ANN LIsEE

CHAPTER XCXIX.
 There isn't anyone in all the world desired less to see than the woman who hailed me with her insolent ques- tions as I started to leave the Wal grave
 But as I turned to parry her in nuend does I realized half-humor ously that this was just the coincidence I might have feared. Mrs. Warden, my impudent interlocutor, lived at the hotel even in the dear; 1ong-ago days when Jim and I stayed there. I had plenty of experience then to warn me that she is the elderly feminine edition of that unpleasant masculine type known as the '1ounge lizard .' Her over-dressed, hand-painted, vivid white hair; was always proving about the lobby in the olden days. Evil def1tly she was still at her old habit of hanging around the office But I was astonished at the early start she'd d made.
 'sGood morning, Mrs. Varden,' I murmured. longing for enough of Vir- ginia's icy hauteur to put the wom- sub-consciously that she'd be a par ticu5arly undesirable enemy just now. How early you get down to your be- loved lobby: ,. It gives you long
 Instead of being affronted and flounoing away, the woman persist ed.
 'Tm glad got down early enough pose we have a little chat while you're waiting for that handsome young husband of yours. subletting your apartment and coming here?"
 'tOh, no;'' I huttered, eilaborately emitting my pronouns, mot at all. Just here for the night. Staying out with the Daltons. Must rush out on an important matter now. Good
 ''oh, I can't let you go like this" me dn this big city if I didn't pin you right down to & an engagement {, etsI lI this Is that daredevil of a Tom Mason still hanging around What have you done with the handsome English officer who used to take you to din- by any chance he's away now and you're-1onely, I know some adorable men I'd lowe to have you meet How alb out dinner tonight?''
 Thanks SO much, Mrs. Varden,' said firmly. 'But I'm not staying in town tonight. As I said, I'm with my husbands sister. And I merely stopped the night here in order to reach my husbands office bright and early this morning. Now, if you hay not amy more questtons. I'll be run ming along"
 Al his she brtdled She'd held her annoyance within bounds as long as there was a chance that her self control would secure for her some gratifying information. But now she Epat out her words at me with the venom which always characterized her conversation.
 "Oh, yes, of course, run alongl always thought Jim Harrison was tne type of man to need a woman held in managing his affairs. Naturally if he prances off about his own con cerns and leaves you in charge of his office I suppose there'H be a great influx of el-clients.''
 seTmnot''-. I began, and pulled myself up short
 Was I going to protest that I wasn't in charge of Jdm's affairs but was on my way to consult Mabel Storrs, who was in charge? Or was l going to protest that Jim was in town and risk the possibility that Mrs. Warden would learn the truth and try to ferret out the reason for my lie? l completed my sentence by another, tT'm not likely to attract many clients if I keep such shocking hours"
 arm and gave me a push steeped in malice.
 s1Run along, dear." she gushed. 'sI do hope you manage your husoands affairs s-discreetAy as you do your
 With a good-by, favored with a shudder of distaste, I hurried away.
 trWhy did have to meet that woman I asked myself furiously T might have remembered how she spoiled things for me in the dear old days. Perhaps that would have saved me from the romantic Idea Q, or for fifty-seven varieties of misery. And now I'll have her on my trail 1t to sleuth out something Wonder what shed do if she found out about Dad Lee?''
 By the time I got to the street I noticed a clock pointing to quarter past nine. My appetite for break fast was gone. Moreover, hadn't any time to waste on the mere pro- cess of eating, for, unless I made the greatest haste, wouldn't get to Jim s office much ahead of the bustle and furry of the markets ten o'clock opening.
 I hailed Q taH-cab and requested the driver to make all possible speed. So he turned into a short cut of queer, unfamiliar twisting streets. We spun along madly for five minutes and then were held back by traffic surging across one way. As I sS'S looking about idly, I noticed a fa. ai mlliar-ioo1Sng 10 kag+ car ca @ crossing the s1oe
 After a second I chuckled to my self for calling the car Familiar looking" No wonderl I'd been driving about in it all the day be- fore. It was Tony's limousine. with Lyons at the wheel. But who was the queer-1ool1ing man hunched up on the sea next to Lyons with his plaid cap pulled down over queer out-speading of the ears?
 It wasn't until we drew up at the door of the fbuilding where Jirn's of- fee is 1ocatad that realized why the man with Lyons had attracted my attention.
 had seen him yesterday, loung- ing back against the wall of Dad Iee's hotel. Then Lyons had made ob- vious efforts to avoid the skulking figure. Why was he driving him to- day along g. narrow side street in a drab backwater of the city?
 wondered if I ought to speak to Lyons about this or if I'd make him miserable and i'll at ease by suggest ing that I thought he ought to be kept under surveillance.
 To Be Continued.
 III VT uP