The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-06-06
When A Girl
 MarrieS
CHAPTER CNCV.
By ANN LESLIE.


 guest, in full possession of my apart ment, hurried downstairs and on to the nearest drug store where I sought telephone booth
 I called Pat to the Sturges office Fortunately he was there and didn't have to ring the Dalton-Sturges Con- -struction Company where I might have been compelled to speak to Neal and do some explaining I was anx- ious to avoid for the time being.
 Pats Irish chivalry didn't fail, and he promptly acceeded to my reques. that he join me for a taxi-drive and a ta1k-feSt
 DeHcacy and diplomacy weren't working very well in the case of Dal- ton versus Dalton. That was clear. And circumstances had pushed me be- yond the limit of endurance. couldn't bide my time any longer waiting for polite opportunities and openings that never came. If couldn't talk plainly to Virginia, I felt I must talk plainly to Pat-<
 So with a do-or-die feeling hopped into taxi and whir1ed down to Pats office. Then with Pat beside me, I directed the taxi-driver to roll out 'by your leave" I opened fire on Pat.
 That night we were at your apart rnents" he said. sidling up to the thing smes -sed into your pocket with a sigh of relief because Jim hadn't seen it?' Pat removed his hat, ran his hand characteristicaHy over his gray hair: tossed his head nervously and turned 70 me with what I feared would be a look of indignation Instead he was twinklinG.
 he demanded, surprisingly.
 '1 thought you'd say None of your business, busybody.' Truly l did, l gasped-
 "'I never descend to the obvious" said Pat soIemnly.
 We both laugheed and the ice was broken.
 "It was V1rginia's picture I haz-
 'Warn." replied Pat But only warm It was a little miniature on ivory I had painted from picture in my watch-the only one Virginia forgot to- pack up and take away with her"
 put my hand over Pats and we rode in silence, staring ahead up the white ribbon of road that reeled out ahead of us aimlessly
 May I tell him to take the left fork here at the crossroads? Both the other roads lead to the old place. said Pat, suddenly, with the effect of speaking through shut teeth. Yes" I agreed, wondering what drive that was torturing Pat.
 Does she know the old place is hers2'' he blurted out.
 him of the quarrel with Jirn-of the pride that had turned to cold fury when Virginia found out that Pat ! had dared to buy the old estate and put it in her name? How was I to tell him that he had failed
 Yet it was with intentions based on these facts that I had summoned Pat I had meant to urge him to drop his gentle methods I had planned to tell him that Virginia was running away and that this confession of weakness gave him his opportunity if only he would go to Virginia this very evening. Weary from her day of planning for the trip and miserable because Phoebe had defeed her. bit terIy conscious that both Phoebe and Jim were estranged from her, I felt Virginia might yield to a coup and almost welcome Pat
 But I had forgotten Pats basic sentleness with women A brutal at tack might have worn down Virginia's defenses- Then Pats courtesy to me when I dared too much, made me realize that he wouldn't force him. self Virginia. My big idea crumbled to dust before my eyes. Second thoughts were sober enough to convince me that at best it had been only wild idea
 The pathos of the little miniature he had hidden from us was too much for my resolutions I couldn't try to egg Pat on to forget the chivalry l felt to be part of him.
 Does she know?'' Pat asked again. 'Does' she see how I thought per haps I could make amends this way amends for everything?"
 @1sHow you must have hurt her." I countered at a venture Tt isn't like you as I know you. Pat But you must have hurt her terribly, then"
 'T did"
 ..i did" said Pat sadly lover and over again. Her pride. Her eager, dominant youth. I didn't understand then what it meant to have the liar rison pride. I didn't speak Virginia's language. I hurt her more than she could stand She grew very cold then I began to drink and she shrank from me as from something uncIean. She couldn't bear me to touch her. I let her go. I had to- It was all could do for her."
 You let her go?" I asked ''You let her go? Just what do you mean by that. Pat dear?"
 What I say, he said patiently. 'I couldn't make woman stay with degradation and torture for her to feed my eyes on her with the love I couldn't hide" Then I began to see. I felt as if someone had opened a door for me. One more glimpse into the shrouded I should know.
 ''I must go home.'I cried. -1 must go home. My ankle-Pm tr- ed" I explained stumbingiy.
 Pat was far too chivalrous to ques ton or protest. He had me driven home at once But I wouldn't let him take me beyond the elevator. and when got to my floor, did a strange thing I ordered the boy to take me right down again Then I ordered an- other taxi and drove off. It was only five. Virginia might not be home yet But I would wait. I must see Virginia at once.
 To Be Continued