The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-03-21
CHAPTER 0xxNV,


 "Oh. Jifni,' I cried, shrinking back unhappi1y from the mounting fury could see on his face. "fs because knew what it meant that hated so to show you the check"
 ttNo wonder" stormed Jim- "By love! you must have given Phoebe nearly all you had-and West takes it from the kid. That's my partner! You didn't like him from the jump. Now he's lived up to your expecta- tions''
 It was Jim who was living up to my expectations-I knew that love and happiness couldn't last and had dreaded Jin's flying into a. rage when I opened my case against his partner. Still I had to do it-there wasn't any choice. With my heart in my throat I.~found stumbling word:
 eeNo, I never trusted Dick West. But I didn't bring you this proof against him because I wanted to say 1 T told you so.' Oh, Jim, I don't want 1 to nag-or crow oveTover anyone ] But want you to save Phoebe. Now that you've seen the check. no matter l how you feel about me, know you'll 1 take care of her. | The line between Jim's brows | deepened and his words came tumbl- 1 ing over each other:
 | of her. And of hiZn-now that you've shown me what he is.' Jim stared | at me strangely and, crossing to my side, laid his hands heavily on my
 
 was almost mumbIing. ftOnly cou1dn t see it until you showed me the proof. I couldn't take your word Maybe you won't be able to forget that in a
 I thought could detect his old i'm i patience of me in his shaking voice, and I covered away. His stiff fingers dropped from my shoulders and Jim sank down in a. chair and stared into space as he went on furiously:
 '<The dirty scoundreI! He let my little sister in for some shady deals; And sold her out. The way he would have sold Terry out if you hadn't been on to him from the first. Poor little Phoebe-head over heels in debt to West and scared to death. Blackmail-that's what it is, the vel low cur! I was a fool Annie. But you-you little brick-you saw.''
 Then I saw. I dropped on my knees at JiTn's side and cried.
 .+You aren't angry at me, Jim haven't driven you away from me again? It's West"
 Jim looked down at me in amaze ment. Then he laid his arm around my shoulders and drew me close SC my head nestled against him. The color came back to his face and his eyes lost their remote look. The cor
 You blessed baby!" he said Afraid I'd hate you for getting the goods on me. Didn't you think To be decent enough to own myself wrong?''
 There was a hint of reproach fr his voice nestled closer and lifted my hand to lay it against his cheek
 ,,Tb;,rs6 0h; Jimmy R6 boy Iaa rm SC sorfY bapp3 when I found out you hadn't stopped loving .me-and so afraid it was toe wonderful to last. Betty told me no to be hard. And I thought it would ness again-and my Evidence. thought it might seem as if I were growing over-you. l wanted thing: to stay sweet and dear like they wer' to sacrifice Phoebe---
 Jim drew me close to his heart fo a breathless instant. Then he 1iftet me to my feet and rose to face me.
 Anne. dear, I deserve this" h. have you think I can't feel anythin, better than emotions of a moment But don't deserve to have you car the way you do. Only promise m' you'll never stop. And I Ipromise yol I'll do more to deserve it. Your e mine, girl-and I love you" ] Jim drew me into his arms. t felt they would always hold me now Q And I laughed a little, because i was better than Crying Then I crep e close to Jin's heart, for I knew nov f that love does last Ivowed to ten' f the flame very tenderly so it nigh ] burn in our hearts forever Jin r kissed me over and over-very gently = Then he put me away and face = me with aaut jaw and purposefu eyes. For one second felt hur a that he could think of business The 6 I knew I'd rather have him SO d man to do a. mans work d About West,'' he said.' Quee 8 this phase of it didn't strike you, bu }. I'm glad it didn't, for it shows yo y ARE my lilac lady and not the ex ecuti1e, Barbara Anne Lee. Yves r has not only behaved like the cur h e is to Phoebe. He has also double s crossed his partner and cheated tn firm. This transaction isn't on ou