The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-02-14
SECTION
Wnen fl Girl
 MQrries
By ANN LISIE

I hesitated a moment. Pat was so dear-so eager-so friendly. My re- fusal would chill all this-would cost .. me his sympathy. I didn't want to lose it But what was there for me to do? I hadn't told Jeanie-nor could I tell him that it was Phoebe who had driven me out of their home.
 You'll be ready when we come, won't you, Alanna? Pat repeated eagerly.
 "Pat-I can't do what you ask. But you mustn't let this destroy your sym mpathy for me-" I cried pleadingly. I can't come back to live at your apartment. There's a reason You must believe me when I say it's good reason-one you'd approve
 Wont you come even after I'm telling you that I'll coax Jeanie to be nice about your going back to work?"
 II won't want her coaxed. l want her to understand" I protested.
 Maybe then you can convert her if you're as eloquent as you were whiles back tpr me-" laughed Pat Come home sKith us, Alanna.'
 T can't" returned sadly. Please don't ask me again.
 'That'l be your last word ?" asked Pat as if he couldn't quite believe it.
 Its got to be- I said.
 Pat flung back his head and fell to smoothing his high-tossed gray hair with nervous fingers.
 Then, nothing's to be got from discussing it further" he pronounced quietly. 'tSo I'll just be signing those letters and we'll be off for a bite.''
 ''If you don't mind-TH go home I said. 'Tm-tired and there are things I've go to-plan out. Do you mind ?"
 I'm sorry, of course. but I never persuade a lady against her will" returned Pat.
 As left I felt that perhaps he was relieved After all. if Virginia felt bitterly toward me, and I refused to take the one consolidating step which might reconcile her to my other rad ical step in going to work, Pat could hardly afford to be seen squirting me about. We both knew enough about Virginia's mettle for that. Completely exhausted by the diff culties I had encountered with Dad Lee, as we'll as with Miss Storrs and Pat, l went to my hotel. There were tasks awaiting me there, and in per- forming them I hoped to give my whirling brain a rest.
 My clothes had to be put in shape for an of1cec career. Naturally my gowns are in the prevailing mode of sem1-transparent blouses and near sleevelessness. I have no tailored sh1rtwaists, no plain, serge dresses such as I always wore when I was an office worker. But I have no in- tention of going back to work in flrny transparencies or in the elaborate avenue gowns which I've been wear ing, keeping with that silly thing known as "our position in society" As I've no money to spend for ma teria1s, planned to combine black satin cape with two dresses which could be made into practical office costumes with a little ingenuity and a great deal of work.
 So the rest of the day was given over to contriving long satin sleeves for dress of blue serge; while to an- other of dark green un oire faitle in tended adding cuffs of the satin and deep satin folds in a square cut neck which had originally been filled in with silver tissue. These, with g. dress of black satin and georgette combined, would carry me along for months of the wear-and-tear which | makes business dresses come through at the elbows and get shapeless un- less pressed and changed frequently By night I'd done all my cutting | and planning, and I felt sure that the next day would afford me plenty of time to get my business wardrobe
 
 shabby and so arouse questions about Jim's finances. Nor do I intend to come home tired at night and agonize over my sartorial unpreparedness < good flying start and the working | girl'' will escape the remembered | agony of sitting up half the night | needle in hand or of sacrificing her day of rest" even of rushing out | in the crowded noon hour and buy ing desperately needed dress which | is more than half certain to turn out | all wrong when it comes home from its hasty fittings.
 My work exhausted me so that I | fell asleep as soon as my head | touched the pillow. Waking from | the first night of refreshing and satis- | flying slumber I've known since Jims | departure, I smiled cheeriIy at my | own reflection in the glass.
 In spite of all the arrangements | my plan to return to Hajldane's was | costing me I was glad that I'd had the vision and the courage to see my l way out of the agony of waiting for | Jim with folded hands and empty, 1 aching heart. -1n a happy frame of | mind had my bath and dressed for 1 the visit with Neal, which begins each 1 of my days.
 1 The jangle of the telephone broke | in on my preparations:
 1 Hello, Anne-it's Daisy speaking'' 1 said the quick, pert voice of Daisy | Condon- T suppose you wonder where got the news of the place you're domiciled. And maybe you're | even wondering what I want of you" Good morning. Daisy. It's nice to hear from you,'' I replied with the corsdiality I'd have felt for any. one short of Mrs. Vardene5ust then. "It doesn't matter why my Kate's aister | IS calling me up-just as long as she does. And I'm hoping she can l make head or tail out of that!"
 "Oh. I generally can make you | outi" replied Daisy with the touch of insolence so characteristic of her. | But I'm not sure you always under stand me. Now I'll come to the point.
 I'm in the hotel I stopped in to sec I-ofl Why can't we have breakfast