The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-03-07
CHAPTER CCXIx.

CHAPTER CCXK
 .Dick West is a cad!" I said dis gustedly to Phoebe First he gets YOU fathoms deep into his debt. Then he asks you to marry him and makes ugly Insinuations about what people will say of your owing him money if you don't. That's absurd, so don't let it worry you. And when he goes as far as to drag Virginia in, thing he's a regular blackmailer."
 Then you don't thing he could make me out a dreadful sort of girl that every one would turn away from ?'' cried Phoebe.
 Her tension relaxed, and I could see the beginnings Af relief coming to her terrified young face.
 "Of course not, child,' replied in a matter-of-fact tone. "I think you ought to be spanked for gambling and stood in the corner for ever thinking Dick West was to be trusted. But you've been foolish and reckless, not criminal So now wipe that des- perate look from your face while l think our way out"
 Phoebe smiled wistfully through a tiny veil of tears. I thanked her guardian angels that she was still a child at heart and didn't see the ugly West wanted to force her to marry in order to avoid gossip, he would still have the whip-hand when she had paid off her debt Paying the debt
 
 once owed him money. If he were mad enough to talk, he'd still have the story of her gambling and bor- rowing to tell, even when the money was paid. It had to be paid-and at once. Still I didn't see how that would get her out of his power.
 I could feel Phoebe's eyes fixed trustingly and hopefully on mine, as l sat reviewing the whole sorry busi- neSs- % I made d vow that her name shouldn't be enlarged if l could help il. and that she should even be spared the Knowledge and the fear of what gossip and scandal might mean to her.
 Heres your fruit lemonade. Drink it. dear,'' I said in a tone that didn't admit of defeat. Then we'll go to the waiting-room and I'll fill the blank check l carry and you can We'll pay half debt and then at tend to raising the rest We're part ners now, and we'll sec this through to victory. Now drinH your lemon aide. It's really refreshing
 Phoebe raised her glass obediently to her lips, drank a dutiful swallow or two and put the glass down des- pairingly.
 It's what Neal and I always ordered. l never touch it any more," she stam- mered shy1y.
 And once you thought you could marry Dick Vest I ventured.
 Phoebe's face crimsoned-
 Do you think-do you think N He would ever forgive me for-for tns way l treated him that time he came back, and for this terrible scrape I've got into?' she asked breaf h1eSSly-
 .-Bless your heart, dear, You just say you're sorry, and he'll forget seeing the good that might come out of all this evil Now it's all settled. You give MT West my check and tell alim very firmly that you can't possi- him and wouldn't do him the injus- tice of marrying him without love. I'll go to Jim tonight with the whole story. and he'll get us the rest of our money
 "oh. no-not Jim.' Phoebe cried. ''I could not bear to have my own brother know!"
 Jim. of course.'' I replied smiling judge the baby sister, and he'll pos itively be grateful to find out what sort of men he's in partnership with. He'll be grateful to be saved from big. raw deal some day. You'll see.'
 oh. Anne, you make me believe I'm going to be happy again and not frightened and miserable all the time" murmured Phoebe, giving dining-room- Hes coming tonight Dick West is. and I'll do just what yotl've said-''
 You might try to stay friendly with him. No use having enemies" I warned. praying that even q scoun- drei like Dick West would let Phoebe off without opening her eyes.
 Then I went to the writing-room. gave Phoebe the check that wiped out my bank account and hurried home. l fonged to go to Jim with the whole story, and to enlist his he9p. I must confess I had a mo- ment of selfish joy in planning how clcse Jim and I would. come through his little sisters trouble I felt a great longing to find Jim again. and i: seemed that Phoebe was showing ED the way This very evening Jim