The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-03-18
When A Girl
 MarrieS
By ANN LESLIE.
~xXIX.

CHAPTER CCXXIX-
 Ever since that noon when I sat with Neal and Pat and Carlotta at the Ohnsarge and heard of the birth of the Dalton-Sturges Corporation, Eve known that some day I would have to tell Jim about it.
 Often I've rehearSed the scene in my mind, and imagined myself sit ting across the table from Jim after a particularly good dinner relating the circumstances smoothly, logically, convincingIy. Jim's mood must be just right-receptive, so I could in Huence him to see things from prac- tical viewpoint.
 meant to take my own good time about telling Jim. And when I did tell him. I expected to justify my long silence by the triumph of my diplo- macy.
 But now Jim had forced the bare fact from me. Forced it from me at the particular moment when it was least advantageous least diplomatic to tell it. Jim had never been harder for me to read and understand. How could I hope to manage this situation when I hadn't been able to persuade e him to let me manage the other sit uation-NeaPs engagement to Evvy?
 Jim looked dominant, stubborn and dangerous couldn't und erstand him in such mood. He seemed a stranger to me- and not the romantic, fiery, impractical war-hero I had pur- sued from the first moment I saw him.
 But as he stood looking at me across the chair he had swung be- that if only I kept my head now, I could effect a ornprornise-ma.ke Jim sec things at least partly my way.
 Since I said that on one pregnant sen ReaNy Corporation" no word had come from Jim.
 A minute or two passed while my thoughts whirled along and I waited f0r Tim n Flino nv rather than stand there staring at me as if he were forcing himself to a verdict. At last he repeated my words slowly, one at a time; ton4Sturges Realty Corporation
 Yes, Jim. But let me explain" I replied eagerly.
 Jim smiled and waved me to a chair. I didn't like shis smile and I was astonished when I found my self obediently sitting down.
 How long have you known this?' Jim demanded, in a low even voice.
 Ever since it happened. Two weeks ago. I guess.
 And -why-knowing my previous interest in Neal. apart from the fact that he is my wife's brother-haven't you seen fit to tell me?''
 'I-didn't think the time had come, Jim. I thought it best to wait,' I murmured almost sheepishly, as the situation began to slip away rom me-
 "You didn't think the time had come?'' repeated Jim still with his remote air of being my judge rather than my husband. Then his voice changed, deepened and rang out ac- cusingly:
 When we met Pat and Carlotta that night in my office building and I felt that their being together vas an insult to Jeanie, you knew? Neal was with them then D
  ''Stop cross-questioning me and let me explain
 'I shall be glad to have you ex- plain,'' said Jim, in a. broken voice.
 1T couldn't say anything that night I was so intent on having you save Phoebe from Dick West that I didn't want to complicate matters. I know you hate Pat-becauSe of Vir- ginia- But I think he still loves her; I think they love each other, and I want to bring them together. I long to-"
 will you please stick to the mat ter we're considering" said Jim, a little wearily. 'rm not in sympathy Virginia, when Pat shows his prefer enre for woman of-Carlotta Sur ges's typer'
 'A11 right I retorted, getting a my best intentions "I didn't say anything about Neal then because I wanted you to save Phoebe from Dick West-and for Neal, and I thought
 'You thought" interrupted Jim, furiously, that you could run things incIuded-to suit yourself! You thought you'd let me have as much of the truth as I was capable of un- derstanding! AS a toss-up between my judgment and yours you always prefer your own. Anne. Keeping the truth from me is deceiving me making a fool of me. I'll not stand for it. Don't you know won't stand for 1t ?''