The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-10-19
When 4 Girl
 M0rries
By ANN LESLIE.
CHAPTER CCOLxxxIx.

| 'F'or days the market has been none too strong" Jim explained. "A week ago I thought it just one of the not unusual market uncertainties. trends, well in hand. But there came day when a rumor was whispered about. It sent the stock down-down down. That day I began to buy.
 Ut was natural, inevitable that l should buy. Perhaps it was with this hope that whoever started the to protect my holdings. to keep the price of the stock up, to safeguard our friends. I thought I had things we'll in hand. Under ordinary condi- rght. But this circumstance isn't ord1- nary. It is extraordinary sinister:
 Sweeping his fingers through his hair Jim stopped. I knew that I ought to say something, but what should I-what could I-say? What I ventured was:
 sharply when you phoned me at Dreamwold-the reason you strode into the dining room -tonight with such-Oh. understand, dear! You're nervous, overwrought, horribly wor- ried. But don't worry, dear. You've built up this'-I indicated the beau tiful room in which we sat, the sym bo1 of my Jim'S success.
 l Jim groaned, and buried his face 1 in his hands. I sprang to my feet and turned him about to sit upon the l l upon my knees beside him, put my arms around him and hugged him tight, holding him close to my heart. It Tas my hope to wIv give him Geupage I cried. What you did to bring these | things into being you can do to pre- serve them. Never mind the car. Sell the little car if, need be. But you and perhaps I may help a little too can bring everything right again. If you need the money sell all these pretty things"
 "Anne!" Jim's voice shook. You don't understand! Everything is mortgaged. I had to have money to keep the stock from disaster. Do you ed-is-in pawn! I've borrowed to the last thing we possessed" My voice refused to sound the think my body trembled as I held Jim close to me. Somehow I managed to speak.
 as you wished" 1 said. But isn't ft much of this the result of fear? We have-you have-powerful friends who will lend you all you need. Yes. a time in every mans life"--
 very gentle. aEven now you don't nary thing-if conditions were, as they usually are-it might be done as you say. But things aren't There's something down there in the field that isn't right. Some thing about our biggest producer that is crooked"
 "Isten!" Jim gripped my shoulder and his words tumlbled forth, one upon another. Production has fallen off. The rumor that had faked pro- didn't. Did anyone? Or = did someone-tamper with the flow to drive the shares down and ruin me?
 Everyone of my friends - every in this. I pledged our things, sold the car, mortgaged everything to steady the market. I've tried to bull l our stock to save themI You and I | might face even poverty again with out much fear, but how could we -l l how can I-face those who put their money into this thing of mine, at
 my suggestion, hoping to win-only to lose?
 'I can't. I tell you can't! But there's one thing I can do. It's the only decent, honest thing to do: I'm going to see 'em through. And the orily way to do is to trace that ru- nor, run down the cause, nail the crookedness at it's source!"
 What are-you - planning?" hGNked, fear close to my own heart now, for Jim's eyes were blazing with a light which boded no good for any man implicated in the deception. 1 '" nat am l gong 10 OO!'- Jlm
 laughed. his hands c1enching into
 my shoulder until I gasped with the | pain he didn't realize he was caus- ing. Why, I'm going down to the
 field, and I'm going to trace the | cause to its source. I'll nail the lie. | I'll stop this rotten crookedness l But, Jim!" I cried. How can i you leave when the market - when your stock is still going down?'
 Its stopped. It's steady now. The crooks know they've bled me white, ! so-they've stopped driving it down GThey'll wait. They'll give me time to gather more money-weeks per me again. But they won't get the chance. While they wait I won't be | getting money to feed 'em. I'll be on their tracks. They won't know it, but I'll be fighting 'em on their own | kround while they think I'm still 1 here.'
 Take me with you" I begged. | Let me help you, dear" | My Lilac Princessi' Jim's voice
 was more nearly his old dear own 1 than before he put his arms 1 around me and stared into my eyes. q can't take you with me. Don't you
 aee, you must remain here to help keep up the deception that I am in
 darling, the field I'm going to is on place for you
 Don't go!" cried.
 | ''1 must go, dear. Can't you''-- 1 At the same moment we became conscious that some one was knock ing at the door, perhaps had been
 rapping for some time.