The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-07-18
When 4 Girl MUrries
(Continued1
By ANN LESLIE.
CHAPTER CCCXXvI.

Bad beginning makes good end ing." says the old proverb. |! quoted this to myself earnestly, but it didn't do much to cheer the birthday which had begun so badly.
 In addition to the pain of having Jim ignore my day. there was the other pain of having him fail to tell me his plans. That suggested that he hadn't been willing to risk having me know lest I make a. scene Then there was the appointment in Uncle Ned He had simply ignored---without even the grace to say he was sorry---rny little plea that he shouldn't take Jim away on my birthday.
 felt unhappy. disi1lusioned and cheap---yeS, cheap.
 Then I remembered that Neal and Phoebe had asked us to have dinner with them in the evening. could not bear the thought of being the fifth wheel on the wagon the goose berry, at my own birthday celebra- tion- Besides. my pride couldn't con Phoebe on the subject of how Neal would never desert her for business me for being alone the evening be fore, how they'd despise me when theytfound me deserted on my oirth- dayt - ,o,,- own, Barbara Anne, to match the ia. nous Harrison variety, l told nyseii curtly. +o call Neal. Perhaps if I'd waited un- til I'd a bit of breakfast would nave come under the sway of second sooer thoughts and would not have pro- ceeded to perform that silly opera ton known cutting on ones nose to spite ones face. But was at ae one sort of ei- nervous When tension Nears %ner voice came sleepi1y back to me over the wire plunged into the hot water l had set to boil: ,, -,-o. in an deliberately untroubled voice, :I thought I'd call you first thing tnls morning before you got your plans for the day made.
 . ling but, you don't think I'll reproach you for that today, do you asken si Neal First off. I want to Wlsh you you the kind of birthday you deserve, anu that's the happiest ever fierce every good wish in the world for my Babbsie. Get. that? No? Wat a nninute-here's another-Its a birth
 Soh, Neal," I cried. 'I wish you were here so could hug you"
 Me. too, That goes 6a double na,7 aB Baeo- oo- tra hug for me Have you decloeo where we're to go tonight? o+ 'That's just it, if you'll let us on II \we wont go. Jim has other plans, I temporized, skimming delicately on the line between falsehoods l d!dn want to tell and the truth l wouldn't for the world disclose.
 
 Neal sounded like a hurt child
 @'If you'll be good sports and let us off" I replied with lump in my
 Of course if you don't want to <~come-but we did so want you, Babb- sie.' ,. q. - -with-our pIans,'' I said, even while I wished I could take it all back and tell Neal I wanted nothing so much in the world just now as to be with 1,Ir
 Have it your own way, sis"
 Meals voice was cold and he made no suggestion of seeing me at another time. Nor did Phoebe suggest a suo- stita1te ensagement when she tele- phoned and wished me joy half an hour later.
 The morning mail brought letters from Father Andrew and some Of my friends out at home In Father An drew's letter was the most exquisite, cotwebby real lace handkerchief inn ment's Joy and comfort. but-ts didn't
 suddenly. when my loneliness and feeling of being a stepchild-1eft-out- in-the-cold became uncomfortable, be- thought myself of Aunt Molie-alone and deserted, too So l tetephoned with the pleasant anticipation of tell ing that dear, sane ,motherly soul ny troubles and so having them brushed away. A strange voice re- piled when | got her apartment
 .-Mrs. Pettingill?" it said. shes with MT and Mrs. Cosby and some young ladies staying here This is inc chambermaid, ma'am---Mrs- Pet tingil1 said I was to take any mes sage, or ask to leave word with the maid at MT. Lane Cosby's.
 So the'd left me out, too. My heart sank I reflected sadly that I must be a completely unlova.ble in dividuaI-for no one wanted me.
 Toward opening of the 1oneliest day {. I've / ever worried through big Jewellers box came I opened it with a trembling anticipation and found a card which read: -
 srWith love to our darling sister Rabbsie, We wish her only half that Joy she deserves because that's about ali one mortal could endure. And we send her the beginnings of a gift we're going to conclude happily pret- "PHOEBE and NEAL The box revealed brush, comb and mirror of exquisite French enamel an a marvellous shade of pinkish or enid Beauty and love were here and held them to my heart in fI,Irn1o yearning to have them com fort me and make me happy. But tEaey left me cold
 cruel day was almost over- Then an- /othe- ring sounded It was the tele- pf1on.., which had been perversely si- ! lent all day, when I longed for any compEtny-even the sound or d Noice over the wire.
 srNrs. Harrison? ?'' asked the oper- ator- s<HoId the wire, please Long :. Distance wants you Hold the wire
 An ind1stinguishable blur sounded. Then a s-Go aheadi"
 srTr,at you Anne? That you, dear ?'
 sLed the voice I loved best in the 1! -orId The sun came sweeping out : iron, it's gray retreat and poured into !, t1, u-indovs of my heart.