The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-07-06
When 4 Girl
 M0rries

By ANN LESLIE.
CHAPTER CCCXV:

CHAPTER CCCXVI
 Our picnic was a great success. Neal and Phoebe liked Irma Warren at sight, and she made no effort to disguise the fact that she thought them the most wonderful element or a miraculous occasion. Tom beamed, and his pleasure knew no bounds. when NealEout of his growing Knowledge of real estate values = pronounced Hidden Brook - the place Tom was considering good
 Suppose you go after the Rhine I vile estate tomorrow and put in an offer on Hidden Brook" said Tom
 4tYpu don't need a broker. You found the place and while it's darn white of you to offer to let me in, , you might as well close without me" !" replied Neal
 . What do you think I brought you along for, young fellow, except to ring an expert in on this deal? capacity and not because Uncle ways" replied Tom so heartily and , generously that Neal made no further demur, and Phoebe beamed at her boys growing importance In the business world.
 A little later, however, as we were finishing lunch by the tiny forest ! brook from which the place takes its name. Tom got startling reaction From what he had said He is, as I've often noticed, far too old and jaded locking for his years, which aren't much more-ss numerous than Jim S. But the fulness of his lips and the together with the rapier keenness of his face above his big, indolent body, give him look of world-knowledge Sand world-wearinesS that is far re- moved from youth.
 '1The old Harrison place isn't five miles from here-are you aware of that children2" asked Tom sudden
 -oh> how nicei'' cried Irma War ren with warm enthusiasm. eff you all have an estate near here I sup pose you'll come often to see your
 aSs ss Then D his she sood dufoed foefune to Ton m know how lonesome Uncle Graham was before, I came to live with him, go I'm glad you'll have nieces and nephsws to keep you from feeling alone"
 The look of chagrin on Toms face was amusing.
 IDo I look as old as that? To be chased with MT. Haldane,' he pro tested
 as artiessly as tactless1y, adding when she saw the look of actual hurt on Toms face "tNot that I don't re- alize you're ages younger. Ages and
 .sBut in the Uncle Glass; protested
 Irna biushed and stammered: "But MT Hyland said-I thought
 T know what you thought" re- piled Tom with more bitterness than the occasion seemed to warrant.
 'tOh, I'm sorry.
 Phoebe and Neal were so absorbed in each other they didn't pay the least attention to what was going on, but knew I wasn't imagining things as I sometimes do, for at this june ture Linn caught my eye and there was a startled question in his glance
 Are you game for little stroll, roll. sure was delTberation. ''fd like to trace this young stream1et back a ways It looks to me-Tommle, playmate of my youth-as if you ana ere long"
 Toms look was ludicrously grate- ful both for Jim's plan to absent himself and for the announcement that they two were contemporarles.
 The minute we were out Of ear shot Jim caught my hand in his and gave a great shout
 'Did you ever see the beat of that?' he demanded ~BoWled over clean bow1ed over- Our Tommie's a goner for fair The pretty little fat girl has fetched him. And she thought he was doddering uncler'
 -Jim, you aren't taking Tom se- riousfy?'' I asked scornfully.
 And why not2'' came from Jim, as he abandoned his tracing of the stream and reclined on a big boulder where there was room to pull me down close to his side
 Don't you know him by now? Tona'S a flirt Married women are generally his prey. He thinks them safer, I suppose. I've never before seen him show a, flicker of interest in a girl who might take him seriously and if Miss Warren did I'll wager he'd run a mile-
 'FI think you're wrong. sweetheart I think Tommie-S hard hit. However, match rankings not my department Give us a. kiss and we'll stroll back We ought to be starting if we want a hot dinner tonight It's almost three now"
 So I gave Jim his kiss and we strolled back to find the hamper closed and strapped for the return from the one we had come, and 1t carried us by Mason Towers, Esvvy's country place. At sight of it, Phoebe had in inspiration of which l fancy strangs things are to come:
 SOh we're going by the Harrison place Let's stop a little wh1le, she cried
 Tom agreed and though felt sure Jim shared my feeling of awkward ness at going to the old homestead which is now Virgin1aS unacknoWI- edged property, neither of us felt that we could say anything without cauS- ing too many SurmiseS on Toms part So we drove in.
 CTo Be Continued.)