The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-05-21
When A Girl
 Marries
By ANN LISLE.

After that the night was series of dozings and wakings to pain, and readjustments of the ice pack and doses of the sedative the doctor had left. It wasn't until morning that l was considered able to listen to the story of how Lane and Jim had called ''West's bIuff' as my husband put it. They had laughed at his threats, had presented a solid and completely united front and insisted that noth- ing he could say or do would stop them from sending experts to exam inc the properties where West claim ed to have started drilling for oil and to have located "gusher' or
 "Oh, Jin-aren't you afraid?'' I
 "Of what, little scare-cat?'' he ban
 why, he kept threatening things last night Lane and Val And he was trying to kiss me when they came. And he said med make it so hot for Lane he'd have to leave this district and then he'd ruin you when your packer was gone-
 ''He tried to kiss you! Threatened you, did he! The dirty ratt Do you think I'll spare him now? What have I to fear? Lane isn't taking water, so I certainly don't have to. We'll put West and his phony stock Anne-don't you see what would hap pen? This fake stuff of his wells being located right in the district where our wells arc drilled might discredit us. We've got to drown this rat.''
 I'm kind of sorry for him found myself saying unexpectedly
 Just like a wonan,'' laughed Jim. "Quit worrying now and tend to get ting that ankle back in shape This is a great game we're playing with West. As exciting as craps"
 The old, dangerous glitter came to ,JiD'S eyes.
 you like to gamble" I breathed with a terror-stricken fear.
 'You bet your sweet life I dot'' cried Jim This whole game I'm in is a gamble, and the fellow who has a good poker face and a fine sporting disposition wins-no matter what cards the other fellow holds. Vests beaten. And if any other fellow gets in my way. he'll have to take a beating too. Like the the world, little lady. And Jimmie & Go. are in it to stay
 CHAPTER CCLxNNIv.
 My ankle IsHpt me housed for only a few days Following the new the ories, the doctor strapped it up tightly with adhesive plaster, so the torn made me walk a little bit each day in order to keep the bandaged ankle from stinening. As news doesn't travel very fast among our friends. I was almost ready ito be up and about again before people found out that I had been sick. I had a pretty lonely time of it-and how l did miss the wine jellies and cup custards that would have come pouring in on the household out at home!
 So I was particularly glad to see the very morning that the doctor pronounced me ready to go out for nice drive in the park.
 I'm sorry. I didn't know. hot 0ST3 r do fnp Virginia contritely. coming over to the couch where I lay trying to get up ambition enough to obey the doc tor and to go out for a drive.
 She stopped and kissed me. laying q wonderful sheaf of late roses in my hand as she spoke l tried to keep down my pique. and to act like a child I felt. Jim had been too busy to give me any time during the long day, and after that first evening or my ken. telephonins now and then to inquire how I was. but too much i'm mersed in her own concerns do> do more than that ''It's very sweet of you to come" I said. conscious of the absurd trem- bling of my lips. Poor lziddie:" said Virginia. stooP, send for me? Phoebe just heard of your dreadful experience this morn ing Nears been out of town. you
  haven't they, dear?' Virginia's sympathy and under standing astonished me. And when il | lasted all through the day I could hardly believe I wasn'c running a fe- | yer and imagining things in my de- | liriurn. She stayed wi<h me until late | afternoon and then rushed off post | haste-to avoid Jim, as I very well l knew Hardly had she departed when | CarIotta arrived, bringing some of the l latest books and magazines and a 1 wonderful box of marrons- And 1 then Phoebe and Neal came, plus big 1 box of candy and masses of flowers. | When Jim came he found me holding court. 'I wonder if all this excitement's good for you.' he remarked after tn. las, of my guests-Pat, who came bringing a big basket of fruit-had departed It's better for me than lying here all alone for three days was.'' I said u1eaningfully. "Why. honey! You don't want me to stay home from buS -ss and hold your hand, did you. antered Jim.