The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-10-26
When A Girl
 MUrries
By ANN LESLIE
CHAPTER CCCxCv.

CHAPTER CCCXCV.
 Who is Miss Storrs? Why has Jim whom I've never even heard? Ana why did this woman send my brother off on trails which, to quote him, seemed to lead nowhere?"
 With these questions puzzlfng me l sat playing with the food I'd pre- pared-food which I was compelled to consider palatable since Neal ate with gusto, relating his adventures
 You know, Babbs," said Ee, when Jimmie said his fare-ye-wells last night, I made up my mind that there was more to this than appeared to the poor human eye. Now don't you tell brother thing you don't want him to know, but if there's anything on your chest and you'd like to get 1t,s off heres the young man who's waiting for you to conf1de in him. How about it?''
 There's nothing I can conf1de, I could tell, to whom but you do you think I'd go? Jim felt that his af- fairs needed his presence and so off he went to look things over. And charge of an efficient young woman. No mystery to that, is there?"
 'tNo-I guess there isn't. But I don't see just why Jim doesn't take his. wouldn't be leaving Phoebe" he pulled himself up short and went on timidly. NO money difficulty, is there. Babbs? Because brother is pretty well fixed now, and you can draw to the limit
 T don't need to do that" stam- mered, aching with the knowledge that Neal too was involved in our tottering fortunes.
 Well, just remember where to come if the need does arise. Right this minute I've a notion I'd give as much as a copper cent if Father An dyaJ TUPran't off a iaunt in the farthest North while our Jimmie Is traipsing to the other side of the map"
 If Father Andrew were only here,'' I replied, looking at Neal with pity so great that it made me forget temporarily to be sorry for myself.
 Heres his son and heir and sub stitute,'' went on Neal, never guess ing how the words drove the iron deeper into my soul, and this young man asks nothing better than to act toward you as father pro tenn. Now, I'll dash out and get my belongings and then make my camp here for the next week or so.
 .I won't be here" I replied. TT m going to Jeanie's.
 Not tonight?"
 :'No, not tonight. But tonight I'm taken care of. Jeanie's good, faith full Bertha is staying with me. So you see, Neal darling, I don't need to drag you from your comfy little home"
 Maybe you don't need me, Babbs. Maybe you don't want me. But here stay until we get you moved out to Jeanie's. Now, I'll run along and get a few things, unless you have a supply of gentleman's furnishings on hand"
 NO, Jim took most of his things with him." I stammered, evading Nears keen gaze.
 'Right-o! Then Neal for home."
 Punctuating his words with a kiss, rIISha6 loaUinP me 9 0 my pity for him and my longing for Father Andrew as we'll as my worry over Jim. To make my misery com plete there was the thought of-Miss Storrs.''
 Who and what was she and why had she arrived at the stage of inn portance winch put her in charge of Jim's office when Jim's wife didn't even know of her existence?
 Thereupon new phase struck me most unhappily. 1 am trained business woman. Why hadn't Jim put me in charge of his office? Even he might have trusted that, with my heart reinforcing my head, I'd have been inspired to learn. But Jim had preferred to put a strange woman in charge of his affairs. Why? Is she young? Efficient? A new friend? An old one?
 cogitations, Bertha appeared in the door of the room where I was still sitting at the table with the plate of untasted food before me.
 '.I could not find him!'' she cried. "Oh, Mrs. Harrison, what am I to do? I can't find Lyons nowhere. I trust him. Never fear I don't, but something's happened to him. I know it. If it hadn't I'd have heard. And without me-he might do something foolish"
 '.Nothing's happened. Bertha. Rest
 But she went on with hopeless note in her voice.
 And when I do find him-what then? How's he gong to get another job? Who's going to trust him like you did %
 ''who?'' began vaguely. Then the inspiration came to be and I went on with complete assurance. "Who, but Mrs. Dalton, Lyons often helped you about the house. I'm sure they'd take him on as gardener or extra man until they get a car, which they're sure to do soon."
 "You thnk so, ma'am?" asked Bertha, hope clearing II her voice. "But if only I knew where he was! If he gets away from me he's like to mething-something desper- ate, maybe.'
 He won't I said. as reassuringly as I could. Now you must go to work, Bertha"
 At once she began to clear the table. and in the accustomed work I could see that she was finding a cer- tain peace and calmness. When the telephone rang a min ute or two later I answered it my self. Over the wire came a strange vofce-gruff. alarming, curt. 'Is this Mrs. James Hunter liar rison?'' it asked.
 (To Be Continued) |