The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-05-03
When A Girl
 MarrieS
By ANN LISLE. CHAPTER CCIXVIu


 "Of course you'll stay to dinner, children 1 observed to Neal and Phoeibe-trying not to let feminine sentanentahty find any flaw in this less happy occasion Neal and Evvy had come together for a bethrothal dinner.
 You bet we'll stay" agreed Neal heartily. '.Ff ever I wanted to shake a. mans hand until it ached, that hand belongs to old Jimmie. Some brother, Jimmie-he sure has stood by!"
 I wondered how much Neal had told Phoebe of Jim's part in winning fredom for him from Evvy. But that was subject on which I knew I'd always have to Be silent The game had gone Evvy's way for so long, I had been so terrified up to the vsry last for fear she was going to win. that the whole subject was a very tender one wfth me. And I inn agined it must be a far more tender one to Phoebe. whose happiness had depended entirely on Jim's coup Sup pose it hadn't besn sJLccessful-sup- pose. Evvy hadn't released Neal? I couldn't think about it calmly much less dream of mentioning it.
 So my surprise was everwh elrning when Jim got home, and Neal rushed to greet him with d laughing:
 Hail, Jim the giant-killer! I m your brother now, whether you like it or not Your brother twice over. Phoebe's''- Then his laughing voice broke, and he said with a quayer strengthening to pride that defied the world, Phoebe cares for me after all, Jim, the way I do for her. We're going to be married"
 And Phoebe, tumbling into Jim $ laugh and a sob. cried:
 You darling old matchmaker! You got him back for me didn't you ?''
 Jim hugging Phoebe and pump less frank than they and as little embarra ssed by that frankness- I loved them all for it. Phoebe and Neal were facing :lne future so hap oily and securely that they weren't afraid to face the past and all the difficulties that had separated them for so long.
 Has any one asked Jeanae to the family dinner, or told her the news?' Jim asked suddenly.
 I had been waiting for thas-and dreading it. Even if every one else had forgotten that Virginia was Fir- sinia and that pride was part of her, I hadn't. wasn't looking for miracle to make her accept Neal joy fully But it seemed to me Jim was the person to deal with her. So l made my suggestion:
 Jim, why don't you go over and .De her I'll attend to our festal board have a conference with Angy, I mean And that will give the kiddies quiet hour together. Tell Virginia dinner won't be till seven thirty. so she'll have time to break any other engage ment and make herself fine for the occasion"
 Good idea You phone her that Pm on the way,' agreed Jim-adding jovially a word or two that set me to thinking. "Of course we ought to have Virginia legal guar dian-at the party"
 why, I thought you were"- be- gan touchily; Surely the brother
 "Yes, only brother wasn't of legal age when a guardian was needed" said Jim, adding with a sunny smile, that only stressed his devotion to his minded stepping aside for Jeanie if I'd been twenty-four to her twenty instead of the other way round Jeanie has a level head-far more so than mine, I'm thinking
 You'll have to go some to prove to Phoebe and me that any one in the world has a better head than you, Jimmie, my boy,'' beanred Neal.
 So, with gr1ns and mutual admira. tion all round. Jim left us. When I went dn to call Virginia her line was busy. On the whole thought it just as we'll, for Jim could surely manage her better face to face than I could over the phone Still I made a sec ond effort in the intervals of getting out my beautiful new damask table cloth and planning the courses of the sudden dinner party with Angy.
 A properly subsidized elevator boy rushed round to the florists for pos ies. Bertha fell to polishing silver and shining glassware with complete good will and lots of muscle power. I whipped cream and sliced peaches madly and turned out a can of crab meat for deviIed crabs, while Angy a fine biscuit shortcake ready for popping into the oven.
 Then I Hurried into a new change able taffeta of orchd and silver. Phoebe had made herself fine for her meeting with Neal in adorable salmon pink pauiette which she must have fairly jumped into. but which nevertheless made her look like sea foam and cherry blossoms. I hum med to myself as I dreamed what a gay and perfect little party this was going to be. Jim strode into the room looking like thunder cloud
 "I sneaked in the back way he said amazingly.
 "where's Jeanie ?'' I asked.
 "At home" replied Jim. And she can jolly we'll stay there. Only I won't have the evening spoiled for those youngsters. So we'll make up some lying yarn about her having gone out before I could get to See her"
 you quarrelled with Virginia ?''