The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-10-04
When 4 Girl
 MUrries
CHAPTER CCCLxxvI.
By ANN LESLIE

CHAPTER CCCLxxvI. As lay on my bed in fearless misery because Jim had forced me into Vals room to endure her insults and then hadn't defended me from them, I heard scurrying and com motion in the hall and the sound of a hauntingly familiar bustling voice: didn't pay much attention. It all seemed suddenly none of my afa1r. sixth sense of love told me that Jim stood on the threshold hesitating After moment he limped across the room and I felt the bed sag under his weight as he sat upon 1t, and his hand went softly around my shoul- ders. In another moment Jim had pulled me up into his arms. Hc held me silently for moment ard then in the gentlest, tenderest tones ever heard from him, he said:
 My little Anne! My dear, won derful girl. You do forgive me, don't you? You know I've have cut off by you to stand her abuse. When she turned on you like that, I knew knew I tell you-what Valerie Cosby is"
 Don't say it." I mumured miser- ably, laying my hand across his lips in a certain astonishment at my un- abated desire to protect the woman who had turned on me like fury for just that desire.
 'I won't" said Jim. '~we'u play this game through your way. You're a wond erful girl-decent. square, loyal. You deserve the best, Anne, if ever a woman did. love. I'd like to give you everything-
 You dol" I interrupted defen- siveIy
 Sure" said Jim with more bitter ness than the occasion seemed to warrant. CT must have seemed to be giving you lot just now when I let Val bawl you out and stood there like a booby holding her hand"
 What was there to say?" I asked wearily.
 There wasn't anything to say. I couldn't tell a woman who's finished herself off the way Val has just what think of her. But 1t strikes me that the right kind of man-Terry, for instance-wou,d have been able to think up some way If defending his girl from vixen like that"
 Why. Jim! You sound as if wild beast had attacked me and you hadn't pulled a gun,' replied. laughing it off because 1t seemed to be causing the man I love even more misery than I'd had. Now that I knew Jim had understood my posi- tion and sympathized with 1t; now that I knew Val hadn't cheapened me in Jim's eyes, Val didn't count.
 'I sound as if wild beast had at- tackled you and I hadn't pulled a gun?" Jim echoed thoughtfully. Ugly idea that A man ought to protect his wife from all the beasts fdnsndi of life~w9rry, oe islander, r,. cruel d can't protect his wife strikes me as miserable imitation of a man.
 Aren't you a little morbid about this?" I asked, almost with the air of a teacher to a favorite small boy. Its all over and no harm done"
 ''No harm donei Of course you'll never set foot in VaPs room again. And if ever again I seem Es-unpre- pared as I was when she fled out at you, you will try to be as sweet and as understanding, all-womanly as you've been about this, girl of mine ?''
 The tenderness in Jims voice, the depth of love and devotion I felt there, seemed to me great enough to make up for everything. I decided that this moment was the right one to say just what I thought instead of coquetting. as most of us often do, with feelings so big we are em- barrassed by them.
 Nothing could hurt me, Jim, so long as l knew you meant it for the best. And I believe I've come to understand you so well that, even if you seemed to fail me for a moment I'd feel that you had neaI.t it for the best and that when I came to under stand that, I'd be satisfied. You see, things generally seem right to me when they seem right to you. Your way pleases me now"
 My blessed girl.' whispered Jim, worthy of that faith. I'll always give you the best-as I'm given to see the best.''
 A knock sounded on the door. With but I was irritated because this per- feet moment hadn't been permitted to last forever.
 Virginia stood in the hall
 May I come in?' she asked with the sweet consideration whichs sur times I meet it now.
 "I should say so, only why the air of a fellow conspirator ?" I asked, giving Jim time for the adjustm ent that seemed to take him so long. Virginia shut the door carefully behind her.
 You heard the commotion of was that sweet little old lady. rLrs PettingiI1. She sent the nurse out and has been closeted with Val for half an hour. I went in just now, welcome or no, and asked Mrs PettinsilI :o stay with us."
 You sure have a happy faculty for doing the right thing,'' said Jim.
 Well, you'll roar at me when I tell you what's worrying me- When she came in she had black bag with her. I know because I saw it with my own eyes. But when she said she'd be glad to stay for day or two, she remarked she hadn't brought any luggage
 I avoided Jin's eyes. But Virginia went on with lit of laughter in hers
 What worries me is the sort of things with which to supply her. I've nothing in the world but silk and batiste, and I'm sure the dear oid | soul wants flannel and all sorts of warm things."-
 "How could she say she didn't | bring a bag if you say her bring | one?" asked Jim.
 "Oh, that was Vars!" replied Vir- ginia unsuspiciously. ''Va1 had been staying with her, and the dear old | soul brought her a bag full of things | You ought to see our invalid. VaPs | all dressed up in some of her own | pretties. And you can't imagine how childishly pleased she is to have her | own thTngs.'
 "I dare say," I found myself murmuring dryly.
 l To Re Continued