The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-12-07
When A Girl
 Marrie5
By ANNE LISLE
CHAPTER 762

the note I'd negotiated with Mir. Far brother and his bank, I sat silent and stunned I couldn't tell what Jim's going like this meant, I had no way of knowing whether or not 1t was in any way final. Nor did I dare let myself consider it too long or too deeply. I thought of the old quota ton:
 That way madness lies
 Once upon a time I'd have given the day to balancing pros and cons" to anaIyz-ng every possibility of the situation and weighing every phase of Jim's conduct. Now the more things trouble me. the more I force myself to get down to the jOb-
 Betty and Miss May went out at noon without coming in for the usual laughing ''au revOir." This, I know, was a tactfuI bit of consid eration. And I Inartyred myself by going with out lunch rather than ask Frank to bring me the usual sandwich and coffee. Som chow l couldn't bear to ackn owledge that Jim and I weren't lUnching together.
 I was deep in my work and lash ing myself to an activity and interest which were definitely forced, when a resounGing knock at the door com Gnanded my attention. With a dis gruntled summons to come in, I bent over my work inhospitably. A voice streaked brightly across my dogged dntentness:
 Anne, dear-won't you say you're glad to see-us?''
 I got to my feet at the sound of Virginia's voice, but my eyes lifted a bit more slowly. On the dOorsill stood Jeanie and Thoebe- They were hand in hand, standing shoulder to shoulder, and smiling at me timidIy. For one second there was a blur across my eyes which shut out their faces and left only a silhouette there in the doorway. But 5ven in the silhouette their hands were ir.tertwin- ed and their shoulders touching. Il stumbled forward and held out both my hands, Nothing came from my lips bUs a tender cry.
 "Jeanie! Phoebe! You're BOTH here"
 ''Yes. dear,'' cried Jeanie's voice. all warmth and tenderness. Were | together-for aIways-now''
 I felt her fingers on my wrist and then PhOebeS arms went around me and Phoebe's voice sobbed out with a funny little note of laughter run ming through it:
 ''She came and got me. Babbsie. 1 Isn't she wonderful? My JeanIe! I've got my big sister again.
 And we both have you" said Virginia very quietly ''Wiu you ask us to sit down, please, so I can tell you about this-happiest day for all l of us Harrisons?"
 i've no manners. I've nothing but a large g1adness'' I laughed a little mistily. But sit down and just let me look at you for a minute and ache a little for sheer happiness. It's so beautiful to see you here-the two of you-liI1e this"
 'Let me tell" begged Phoebe, perching on the arm of Virginia's rNI1r, fV-
 older sisters shoulders. You are the heroine, Jeanie, and you wouldn't make yourself sound splendid enough She was so sweet, Babbsfe' |
 Not as sweet as your Neal was | generous" replied Jeanie quietly. | 'Anne, I telephoned this morning. just after you and Pat left wasn't | brave enough just to go to Phoebe | and risk the snubbing I so richly de- l served. Neal answered the teIe- phone. He knew my voice. And he 1 was so tender and gentle and consfd- crate in the way he accepted my ig- 1 noring and asking for Phoebe. T heard him turn and tell her 1t was I | and to be as loving and happy as she | 1eIt- After that it was all so easy" |
 "1t was for Jim,' said Phoebe l quietly. We mustn't shurt Jim by being-apart. He mustn't ever know ! we were apart, must he, Babbsie?"
 My eyes met Jeanie's and for a 9mOment didn't try to shut out from Hhem the feeling of reproach I felt | for all the hurt she'd given Phoebe 1 and Neal The fact that Phoebe 1 would spare Jim the knowledge of what her own sister had made her ssuffer. just when she had the most l right to happiness. seemed so fine and 1 generous that I thought the little l bride was worthy of some tribute. I 1 ir,ia he erous enough to speak it.
 Anne" she said. with unwavering glance for the challenge in mine ssPhoebes doing a big. brave. gener- ous thing She's sparing me the hurt of facing Jim's criticism-even his disgust. He loves Neal He'll never understand the pettiness that could take so much affront at an elopement From now on our broth CTS the head of the Harrison family. 1 Rut-win you be as wonderful to the abdicating queen as Phoebe is?''
 Taking their hands in mine, I smil- ed down at Jim's sisters.
 s'You dears,' said huskily. This Is a wonderful moment-and our sec ret for always"
 sThen you don't think-for my punishment or the good of my soul -or whatever it is-that Jim must know?" asked Virginia anxipusly.
 Mot at 34t, 1 replied pOSlI1NelN. l ~You two have found each other l again Why worry Jim with the knowledge that you once dr fted | apart? I actually don't think it's fair to burden him with every bit of news concerning us all. He's been away, going through enough hard times. Why shouldn't he come back to what ever serenity we can give him?"
 You're a wonderful woman" said Virginia looking at me strangely.
 ''I wonder what part independ ence 1 and responsibility have played in giv- ing you your new pOise-and the sort of generosity men show always and women display only once in a while"
 I'm growing, l guess l replied a l. l