The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-09-17
When A Girl
 Mnrries
By ANN EIsLE-
CHAPTER CCCXII.

SSS<NAi'
 While Jim and I were breakfasting on the day of our trip to DreamWold, Hedwig summoned me to the phone whence Val indo1ent voice greeted me.
 Anne, the top of the morning to you. I'm phoning to tell you :! won't all. I don't like the idea of being the fifth wheel on the wagon"
 "Oh, Val, you won't bel! l protested Jim VII beau you around the place. and maybe Tom or Tony will be dropping out to console you for the dear big brown bears absence"
 Quite so," replied Val drily; But aforementioned fifth wheel on the wagon arrangement So save your breath, Anne, I've changed my mind"
 "of ,o,,s course: youn ynsds be happy g9y at6 wit6 like you to come with us"-
 That goes without saying. and you've said it several times" said Val at her creamiest. But I won't see you this weekend. Next week With a feeling of disappointment I could hardly understand, returned to the dining room to tell Jim He | took it peculiarly enough. 'Now we won't have to take the big car,'' he said, with great satisfac-
 'swhy yes we will. dear. Otherwise Fat and Jean1e can nave d D1I O1 driving,'' l said.
 ''They'1 rather walk any day" "Silly-t4hey would not! And be- sides there's all the luggage. I hate piling it on the little car. It makes | it look like a peddler'S cart. Be- sides, there's Lyons. | I caught myself up quickly and fish | ed about in my mind for plausible conclusion to my sentence. had all most given away the fact that Lyons was Bertha's husband and even to Jim I hadn't a right to reveal the secret | that haunted these two poor souls. Jim saved me by bursting in with a suffaw:
 l q suppose tender-hearted little goose youN think the chauffeur ought to have a weekend in the country as a tonic to his hea1th.'' 'Yes," I agreed weakly. But we owe it to Jeanie and Patio bring the car which may give them some pleas ure instead of driving out in the one | that takes care of us and leaves them out in the cold. They wouldn't say | a word, but they'll think we were pretty seIfiSh.''
 Pretty small fry, eh?" asked Jim. l "Al1 right, have it your own way. I was planning to send the big car to be overhauled and put in shape, but if you want to use it, that can't be ! done."
 "It doesn't need to be done." I an nounced grandly 'I know enough I ousine's in the prime of condition. and that it would be silly to spend a cent on it just now.'
 Its in the pink of condition, is he'd lost interest in discussing the | car. Funny we should have two autos and Jeanie and Pat none. But not half as funny, I supposed, as that | it should be Jeanie and Pat again.
 That is wonderful!' I said. I'm all on tip-toe about being with them and seeing that it's really true and not too good to be true, as I some times find myself thinking
 Don't pinch me for fear I'll wake up," laughed Jim with another abrupt change of mood. .I never forget Lilac Lady. that it was you who I'm sure she'll never forget it either You could count on her if ever you needed her. If ever you were ir trouble you could count on Pat and Jeanie."
 ''Yes. but I'm not going to need them while I have you." I said, hap oily.
 Whereat Jim seized me in his arms with all the passion of our honey moon. After moment, however, he fairly pushed me away, demanding with disconcerting abruptness:
 How much do you love me, Anne;
 Enough to forgive as much as Vir' ginia did? Enough to take up a brok'
 en romance the way she did witl Pat? I mean-' Le explained sheep
 ishly. Would you have gone back tc Pat if you'd been in Jeanie's place Would you have forgiven your mar
 for-letting you go the way Pat did 9 You funny boyl" I laughed. "Tn not Jeanie and you're not Pat anc
 we'd never drift apart the way the! - did. Don't let yourself get so nor : bid and fanciful, dear. You worl too hard. I see it all the time. Yol will be old long before your day 1 you keep this up.'
 } 'I have to-" replied Jim, grimly t'I have to-
 Perhaps it's my fault, dear" = said. "I've grown extravagant.
 used to hate when you called me little tightwad. and in correcting m, But I'd be satisfied with less. I'd b l glad to di: 'ense with few thousand a year for the sake of keeping m boy sane"
 Thank fortune you are that kin 8 of girl,' said Jim, very tenderly. '
 think you'd share bad luck with m
 just as cheerfully as you did in tn
 beginning But I couldn't stand i
 couldn't drag you down again. I'v
 had the joy of giving you luxury z cars. clothes. servants. jewels i couldn't bear to see you with less. couldn't bear to see it!''
 ''You dear, funny boy" I 1aughet , Suppose we did keep only one mai | or one car. Don't you thing I'd l.
 happy? I'm not a beggar on horse ., back, I hope, Jimmie-boy. don
 love you a lit more now that your
 good provider,' as they say, than z and cheese and kisses" s ''If ever I had to drag you bac y there again, though replied Jir It wincing at the mere thought, T thin st I'd go mad"
 " Gro Be Continued)