The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-10-05
When A Girl
 M0rries
By ANN LESLIE
CHAPTER CCCLXXvII.

CHAPTER CCCLXXvu.
 "You can't imagine how childlishly pleased Val is to have some Of her own things" said Virginia
 She went on, scarcely noticing my T dare say":
 "our invalid is all dolIed up in orchid-colored georgette and nile green chion. She scenes to be get ting a queer sort of joy out of wear ing her own frilles instead or mine. Defiant. I'd call it. And the little oid she'd sneezed aloud in church. I sup pose it amazes her to think that someone who's been so near the edge of things can be grateful to her for just bringing down bag full or lingerie
 Words leaped to my lips, but not into sound. I was very careful as to that. But in silence I pondered:
 How do we know what was in the bag Aunt Mollie brought down? What could be more natural for her on hearing of the accident than to pack a bag and come to nurse Val?'
 But just then Aunt Mollie herself followed la tin1id knock and walked into the hroom. I'd never seen her look so old. so broken
 "Anne,s dear and Jim!' she cried You dear children I'm glad to see you; sorry-teli aae a stuIaa n3easoe', oia "onlan
 
 .aTrairl!" protested Jim. while busted myself kissing the old dear. .'You haven't come this long distance without planning to stay the nlght- and didn't you keep your car! sI came in a taxi" replied Aunt MolIie, fluttering up from the com fortabIe chair into which I'd placed her.
 Didn't you keep that?' asked Jim with no apparent idea that he was
 
 t'Of course she didn't, l inter posed. Aunt Mollie knows perfectly we'll that Lyons will adore driving her into town if she has to go. Thought I guess she really planned to walk to the station if need be rather than put any one out.'
 She flushed me a grateful glance, even as Virginia started to leave with little hustle of housewifely prepara- ton, exclaiming at the same time:
 "But we aren't going to let you go, dear Mrs. Pettirgill! I do want you to stay for dinner, and then if can persuade you to stop the night, I'd be glad to lend you all the things you'll need"
 "Oh, I couldn't-' said Aunt Moilie in distress that changed her usual bust1ing, ruStling manner to one of fluttering helplessness. thought she sent me another plead ing glance, so again I tried to assume control of the situation.
 Perhaps Aunt Molle wants to get back to Lacy Wilbughby. We haven't told you about the accident from which Val rescuad her, have we, Jeanie? And ifAunt Mollie does feel she can trust us with the more seriously injured invalid and must herself get back to the little girl who has no one but a frightened sister to lean on if the Pettingill Fairy God mother fails her-why, ought to be flatttred,'' I finished breathlessly, wondering if I'd come out just where I started in.
 That's. it. That's it." said Aunt Mo1lie.
 "Oh, but you must stay. I've just remembered that there's no train be- tween the 6:30 and the $40" in- sisted Virginia, strangly impervious to her guests evident desire to get away. wen fix you up for clothes. I can see that you didn't plan to stay or of course you'd have packed something of yours in vars bag"
 '1 can't stay,'' fluttered Aunt Moli1e again. ''I must get home. The $40. you say? I'd be down at my little cottage before midnight and even if the' girls don't eXpect''-- She hauled herself up and finished in something like terror: 'I mean even if they don't expect me so late.''
 | Virginia. Jim and I studiously avoided each others glances as Jim said with formal seriousness; l Please, dear Aunt Mollie, stay and | have dinner with us. We'll send you home in the car right after dinner, for we know you want to get away We realize that you're upset by see ing Val and thinking what might | have happened"
 Then he caught himself up, adding | nervously, "But everything is all here"
 | Lane"
 The old lady breathed it almost desperately.
 IL + she wanted to get away-had to get away, ;r fact. Val had confi6ed in her. The pressure of knowledge was too much for Aunt Mollie. She knew. Perhaps even she and Val soon after what had passed between them.
 rF wonder if I may may have a 2. little is Aunt Mollie gently that Jim and Jeanie couldn't be hurt at her for shutting them out.
 When, minute later, they left us together, Aunt Mollie came over and put her arm around me very tender1y.
 Dear, you stood by a frightened old woman splendidly," she said. 'I know you'd never willingly harm a human being. You'd never even repay hurt for hurt. would you?"
 Aunt Mollie,' I replied. "are you asking me to keep my thoughts on certain matters to myse1f?''
 Don't be hurt at me, Anne. You see Val was visiting me. And came to visit you. Then this happened. And don't want Lane to get any false impressions. I don't want any thing to come between these two dear people. They need each other more than ever now. You upderstand, T don't you. child ?"
 Perfectly" I replied. "Your motto is Judge not that ye be not judged isn't it? Well. dear, it's mine also And 1T I've seemed to beat all in
  friend who understood, could pro- tect Val Now she has you. And shall abide by whatever you say That's it dear" The little old lady hugged me as she plunged on "And ; you'll tell Lane just what told won ?' I took her dear, wrinkled, apple cheeks between my hands as I re- |, piled:
 'Tll tell Lane precisely what you told me-"
 To Be Continued.