The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-10-11
When A Girl
 Mnrries
By ANN LESLIE.
By Ann Lisle. PIER CCCT xxx

ed that Jim's telephone number did not answer, I hung up the receiver with feeling that I tried hard to keep from being suspicion. Jim was held in&the city by busi- ness so important that he couldn't get out to Dreamwsold even though com- ing home sometime during the even ing would give him his only oppor- | tunity to see Lane before he went | thousands of miles away from us. If Jims' business was indeed so vital why didn't it keep him, at his office, or at least keep his office open? It was only six. Busy offices are gen. orally open as late as that. Someone ought to be there.
 ing room, wishing Jeanie and Pat would come. wishing something would happen to change the current of my thoughts, wishing I could di- rect them away from the subject I didn't want to contemplate. In the midst of my striddng about, I noticed 9 long gray coat-sweater of Jeanie's lying across chair. It gave me the ped into the warm woo1en garment and let myself out the front door. l rambled up toward the crossroads, instinctively avoiding the direction which would carry me near the scene of Shelly's accident.
 Half an hour in the outdoors re- stored my boise and made me asham- ed of my weak doubts. I was think ing so hard that I walked by the front gates of Dreamwold and found myself half way up the little path be- tween us and Mason Towers before I realized where my feet had carried me. There was nothing to be gained oy turning around, so I scurried mp the path toward the fork that leads to the summer house and up the hill to our side-door.
 Just as I got to the foot of the hill the bushes. parted, and from the ra- vine at the side a bulky figure crept
 -Ir. to be, sure no one was in sight.
 I suppressed the scream that had mounted from my heart to my lips when I realized that the furtive. hur- back among the bushes. I could guess where he had been and what thoughts must be his companions. I wanted to let him escape without his tragic pilgrimage to the scene of the disaster. Undoubtedly he knew how differently it might have ended for him, and yet how much more ter better word. For some inscrutable reason of his own Lane had come out to inspect the wreck. With thudding heart I thought of the hacked straps over the tank and the evidence they had once held.
 No, I mustn't let Lane discover me. Or rather I mustn't let him know that I'd discovered him.
 but hUuOieu DdCh lnS DuSH cracked under my weight Lane flung up his head, and, with the sure instinct of the outdoor man, he came toward the place from which the matters worse, I stepped out as if I'd been proceeding right along and had just arrived.
 Well of all people" I cried with a vast attempt to portray ease. 'fSo you share my habit of proving about in the twilight. Gives one an appe- tite for dinner, doesn't it?''
 For good measure I added a silly my attempts at society conversation was grateful. The truth was the only possible ending to friendship as simple as any relation with the big brown bear must be.
 i've been to look at the wreck Poor Blake, what a wreck he made of his life, or anything he was trust ed to steer The cars junk, isn't ?'' he said.
 'Yes,'' I replied as honestly That was poor Shelly's tragedy. He gave an impression of strength. so folks were likely to trust him to drive. and he needed nothing in the world so much as a hand to guide him"
 There are folks like that. But you and I. not being among 'em, have to be extra kind when we come across those who weren't blessed with steady hand and steady heads, too. Guess you kinda keep that in mind, don't you, Amer" said Lane so quietly that it was more a statement than a uues- ton.
 'T wish I did-as successfully as you do.''
 Lane laughed. Here in the dusk of the wide outdoors all restraint be- tween us was gone. We seemed to be on footing of honesty which made our talk in the living room paItry by contrast.
 'I'm glad this extra visit just hap pened to us," said Lane simply want to say something over and bet ter than I did back there in the house. appreciate you Princess Anne. I know you stood by my poor little girl the best you knew how, the best any woman could, and in spite of the way I have to act-I get you. My poor, little girl Well-no bones are broken, and she'll get we'll in the country. The old home will heal her"
 "Yes," I said, wondering why Lane the abrupt, was going over this again.
 You may never see me again unless you have to send for me, and needn't explain why hope you may never have to mail that old gold piece I gave you for a keep sake.''
 T understand,' I said: ''But there's detained in town by business SO inn portant that he can't leave it. He wants you to understand that if he be for you"
 A shadow swept over Lanes face. Even in the dim dusk I could see it. But when he spoke it was without a sign of annoyance.
 That's all right. I understand. Friends don't have to see each to know how they feel. My motto is, once friend, always friend.' never go back on any one ever cared about"
 I'm sure of that" rep1ied-know- ing aLane had meant he never went back on any one-friend or wife.
 Then in a flash, Lac caught me fin his aTfns and kissed me full on the lips. As his arms went round me and I realized what I meant to do. all power to think or move left me. And when he, released me I stood in the same queer helplessness waiting until couldn't hear his plunging tread any longer.
 After moment I heard the clang of the house door.
 To Be Continued
 BAR MARRIED WOMEN.