The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-04-02
When A Girl Marries N
By ANN LISLE.
CHAPTER cCxLu

"Jiml" gasped Evvy. "Of course
 I don't mean to say that Lane Cosby's poor insane wife is still alive. That would be accusing them of-some- thing unthinkable. I'm not making any accusations. I'm just saying that girl in my position can't afford to have a woman like this pour at her engagement tea. Why she's the daughter of a boarding-house keeper and goodness knows how she lured this poor old dotard away from his sick wife,
 Looking down at the table, I mo- ticed that Jim's hand was clenched so tightly the knuckles were white and the I of jagged vein stood out on his forehead For a second he breathed heavily and I expected him to burst out and tell Evvy how he felt about these revelations she had dug up concerning his friends. But when he spoke, it was to astonish
 me with these words: 'Evvy, you're an old pal of mine going to be my sister soon. If asked you to stand by me, would you do it?''
 Evvy's eyes forgot to widen as she leaned across the table and spoke lIuskily:
 I'd do-a lot for you-brother Jim.''
 There was a laugh and a lure and Q challenge in the words, but instead of the jealousy such proceedings on
 
 me feel I had detached curiosity as to how Jim meant to handle this situation. When I saw him strug- gling to control his temper I realized he had purpose to accomplish
 Then forget this-gossip about Cosby. He's my friend, Evvy. Il owe him a lot, and if ever I fail in gratitude I'm a scrub. This story may be right It may be wrong. But until you get the actual straight of it won't you forget it? Cosby's an honest old brown bear. I'll bank on that Why send nim back to the particular inferno out of which he may just be struggling?"
 YOU want me to keep this to my self?' asked Evvy, ignoring Neal and me
 '-Lil0e the thoroughbred you know how to be- replied Jim gravely. pouring at my teas'' protested Evvy.
 .GAve up the tea" suggested Jim. wistful You haven't the heart to ask that of me. Jim. You know you know how much her engagement l means to a girl-hke me-"
 And can you guess how much snub from 0 girl like you might mean | to Lame Cosby?" demanded Jim.
 Not to mention his pretty wife!"
 I'm thinking of the man." Jim smiled But surely you'll consider the woman-and not push her down down. Evvy you're Miss Mason. Can't you afford to help a woman who may have a darn hard row to hoe and not deserve t?''
 You've no right to put me in such a position I don't know what I'll do. rn see," said Evvy evas2vely.
 Then Neal entered the arena, qui- etly, unobtrusively.
 "PH answer for Evvy. Jim. She'll stand by these people because they're friends of yours and that counts far t1l1aT1 1aft feayu thousand miles away"
 Listen to the childi" cried Evvy. drawing her chair nearer to Neals. Do dare disobey my lord and mas ter when he speaks so frmly?''
 This sounded as if she were agree Ing to do Jim and Neal wished, put I felt sure that Evvy had some hing up Ter sleeve of which none of us were to know until such time as she was ready to reveal it. As to my they seemed to go out toward Valerie Cosby with her taw- try story dragged into the light far more than to Evvy ruthlessly strip ping Val of privacy and decency- ind all out of malice
 ?'' I asked, only too anxious now Q end the party and get home to ak it over with Jim.
 So presently Evvy was wrapped in ripping over the wet sidewalk to the xxi in her thin slippers. We took 1er home first, and there Neal asked IS to wait for him.
 Aren't you coming ina min Ite ?" protested Evvy.
 Its pouring so, and I might not De able to get another taxi, explained Neal t'Do you mind waiting, Jim %
 Evvy gave a short laugh, leaned over to kiss me and thank me for a evening, and then Jim and Neal helped her out to the sodden pavement and Neal ran across the walk and up the steps with her. After only a minute he came back.
 In this moment I had found time ; O cudd1e my hand contentedly in Ffm's. I wondered if it had been a [