The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-12-08
When 4 Girl
 MQrries
By ANN LESLIE.

CHAPTER 430.
 Father Andrew and I had a happy dinner undisturbed by any discussion of Dad Lee and the suddenly discov- cred friends who were taking him away from us. For the time I forgot all about Dad Lee and the problem the sinister-looking bat-eared man who seemed also tosbe Lyons friend
 After Father Andrew saw sme off on the S:03 for Dreamwold, however, the whole thing bobbed up again in my mind and bothered me more than it seemed to warrant. But when Pat met me at the station something in the gravity of his manner suggested that there were real troubles to be met here and that I'd soon have something more vital to do than tilt at shadows.
 Hello, Sister Anne" said Pat abruptly. 'I have Lyons and the car here, so we'll be home in a jiffy.'
 Lyons greeted me naturally enough when we got to the car. but it seem ed to me that he turned and eyed me strangely just before we drove of into the night
 "You look terribly serious," I com mented nervously to Pat. Whats the matter-did the tenant-to-be stdestep his contract?"
 "Oh, the lease went through all right replied Pat.
 Have you - is there any word from Jim?" I ventured again after a
  inclined to break.
 ''Oh, no; nothing like that" he murmured.
 What is it then. Pat? I feel something queer, something con- strained between us."
 Don't be saying that. Alanna, as if you thought you were naughty child being hauled before the board It's just that Jeanie thought we ought to put our heads together now well, hang it all, I guess you've a right to be having it here and now!" then,' I replied.
 "It's like this, Sister Anne. That name on the lease. Mabel Storrs, is after worrying me- said Pat, falling does when he's troubled. 50 when Jeanie met me late in the afternoon, I let it out the way man will"
 Wait a minute, Pat,' I interrupt ed. Do you mean to say that I'm being dragged out here to discuss the young woman who's in charge of Jims office?"
 Pat whipped off his hat and flung back his head impatiently.
 Whoever was it first mentioned that there are folks who never open their mouths without putting their foot in?" he inquired plaintively, ad- ding in a, tone of relief, Here we are at the foot of the drive now. I'll be letting Jeanie and you talk over whats on her mind-'
 However, Virginia refused to speak what was on her mind until I'd had a drink of the fruit lemonade she'd, prepared to refresh the traveller. realized with amusement that l was actually in awe of Virginta-''smart' like a naughty chi1d-real1y glad of few minutes grace. When she felt that she'd dispensed the proper hos pitality, Virginia came suddenly to the point.
 
 nounced, her glance sweeping about to include Neal and Phoebe, "so there's no reason for beating about the bush. Anne. Jim's long. unex- me. Is there. any explanation you care to offer ?''
 There's no explanation"-I hesi- tated and then finished my sentence a'bruptly-"I can offer"
 Does that mean you know where Jim is?" asked Virginia insistently.
 Have you the right to ask where he is. if he doesn't want you to know" questioned.
 Virginia's eyes swung from my face to Pats and fingered there I couldn't read the meaning of this exchange of glances.
 act with Phoebe, in case Babbsie wants to talk over anything with you privately, Virginia?" suggested Neal generously.
 otdy heTe, please. l SI1OuEO JHlnH you'd want to stand by your sister, insisted Virginia conciSely.
 Neal gave Phoebe's hand a little squeeze and then came over to perch on the arm of my chair.
 "I should think I did want to stay, and don't you forget that, Mrs. Vir- ginia Harrison Dalton," said he.
 To my surprise Virginia accepted this with a smile of approval and went on hastily:
 Surely you don't recent my inter est, do you. Anne? You don't think anything but love prompts it?'
 "Pm sure love prompts it. But I can't tell you where Jim is or why he's gone. I'll have to ask you to- just trust him. the way I do," I re- piled, and didn't realize how un- guarded that was and how much it betrayed until I caught another quick exchange of glances between Jeanie and Pat. After which she bounced upon me with:
 "All right, I'll accept your silence on those two scores. But one thing I must know. Why is Jim's business in charge of stranger? Why has a young woman of whom we've never before heard the power to sign a doc ument that can't administer? Why has this stranger Jinn's power of at torney? Anne dear, please tell me $ there anything wrong between you and my brother?''
 "Virginia," I gasped. 'eVirginia- those are the very questions Tve'-
 I hauled myself up short as I real ized that, after the questions which