The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-06-07
When A Girl
 Marries
By ANN LISLE.
CHAPTER CCNCV.

asstonished me-
 Glory be. but I'm glad you've come, Mrs. Harrison." she cried ''I been phoning your apartment like six ty- Miss Virginia. she came home about an hour ago all done up by the weather. And she had me phon- ing for you every fifteen minutes ever slnce- Come right in. please"
 She led me back to VirSiniza's little norning-room, where I found my sis r-in-law lying on the window seat. Virginia rose at once and ran to greet me.
 You got my message. You for gave me for all my usliness. You came." she cried
 Firginia's soft hair. usually piled in a regal coil high on her head. was braided and hung down in two child ish plaits She wore a little wrap Der of dotted Swiss tied with pink ribbons, and on her feet were pink satin mules. I had never seen her in so intimate a. costume. nor looking so relaxed and young and helpless.
 didn't get your message I said. T just came"
 Virginias eyes widened.
 Did you know-I needed you she gasped.
 Yes I replied with conviction, T knew
 Seizing my hand between both Of seat and piled cushions behind me. Then she sank down in a low chair, which she drew up facing me.
 You didn't mind my refusing to come to you when you asked me-" she asked With childish seriousness that remin ded me of Phoebe at her sweetest. You've always forgiven me every hurt I've offred you. And still I couldn't believe in you. couldn't believe in anything. Anne"
 Tell me, Jeanie," I said, softly. employing the formula which always unlocked the gates of Meals heart ell 1r0in olIT know by now that I love you-too much to be hurt by anything your own hurts make you do-enough to understand anything you want to say. Tell me, Jeanie.''
 Its my pride" said Virginia, sur prisingly- "Oh, yes, I know I'm proud. All the Harrisons are. Sometimes I think we're like that Miss Flora Mo Flimsy, who was proud of her pride. It costs me so much-So very much more than I want to pay. But I can't help it, Anne I go on paying.''
 "Other people besides the Harrisons have pride, too, Virginia I said. '"Take me, for instance. Don't you think it hurt me in the beginning to see that you thought Jim had-made z a meSalliance ?'
 Virginia seized my hand in hers and looked at me with such pleading to let bygones be bygones that I was fairly ashamed I'd had to rake them up for the moment, though it was only in order to have them forgotten for all time,
 'I did think that she said hon. estfy. '1 didn't know there was a world outside my own narrow sphere. I didn't know that anyone outside my petty group of the right people could be worth while. l was an ignorant snob. l can never thank you enough, Anne, for all your simple, honest fine ness has taught me. And it's lucky 2 for me you're such a thoroughbred f or you'd never stand for me-
 You think I'm thoroughbred" I gasped, immensely pleased. Then I added, mischievously, but I'm not , a Harrison"
 't,The Harrisons haven't done much to make you believe they're thorough - breds,' replied Virginia wearily. t'But I didn't send for you to talk about the Harrisons or even about you. have asked you to come because I have to talk about myself. I can't stand it any longer with things shut in-shut in and fostering I've got to talk, Anne. I've got to talki"
 I'm ready to listen," I smiled hap oily, anticipating triumph as I said that The pieces of Virginia's broken romance were all to be in my hands soon. I fancied myself fitting them together and so giving back their happiness to Pat and Virginia
 T can't stand this any longer-the anomalous position I'm in, mean Z Neither maid, wife nor divorcee. I am going to get out'' Virginia's eyes flashed and she plunged ahead fever y ishly. "I didn't see clearly how un- natural the whole situation was until ; found that Pat Dalton had bought the old homestead as gift for me. Can't you see how humiliating it is7"
 You mean for you to accept everything from a man to whom you're giving nothing?'' asked point , edly.
 ''Yes,'' Virginia rushed on desper- ! ately. "'My taking money from him : for my support-it's all outrageous. can't live on his generosity like this : I can't have him tied to mel"
 "But he wants to be tied to you" I broke in. He cares for you He
 "Oh, no!' Virginia smiled sadly. tTIe doesn't care He may make yea think he does, but that died long ago. {. I know. We quarrelled and nisun- to drink. That disgusted me We < drifted apart. After awhile he never s even touched my hand. He didn't even look at me is if he'd ever cared My heart, l suppose"
 "But Pat does care!" I protested He does. Only this afternoon he told me things that explain all of this. Your Unhappiness isn't neces- sary. He still cares And you care. I know that"
 ''I carei' Virginia laughed shrlIly, F and saw something of the old re- straint and coldness coming back into her bearing. "I-care for a man who let me goi For man who-s drove me away from him? I'll tell 2 you how much I care Do you know where I'm going Anne? I'm going J where I can end this terrible strain this humiliating position I'm in I've decided to go West. To Ne vada- To Reno. In return for all Pat has piled on the woman for whom he's sorry, there's one thing I can give him. It's bigger than anything he's given me It balances accounts"
 s@what do you mean?" I gasped. '<What do you mean?'
 I'm going to give Pat his free 1om."
 (To Be Continued.)