The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-11-01
When A Girl
 Marries
By ANNE LISLE..

So I hurried off to the morning't job and fell upon it with V1gor. decided to postpone telling Miss May of my change of address until sne got ready to go out for lunch. Then I'd give her the information casually when l asked her to get me sand wich in order to save time for pack ing But my plans miscarried. For toward the end of the morning Nlr- einia Dalton walked in as calmly as If my office had not hitherto been the one place she most carefully avoided. She accepted her introduction to Miss May in d gracious and aloof manner. And then she suavely asked:
 Will you take me into your prI- vate office, Anne?"
 I'm just going to Iunch," said Miss May, nervously. I'll hurry and let you have the place to yourselves"
 She was her little grain-of-dust self again. and spoke in a frightened ap- ologetic manner which I resented having called up. I smiled at her encourag gingly. but dared do no more, for I sensed that Virginia and l were about to come to grips, and felt that it would not do to start with definite antagonism. So I chatted in desultory ia ashion of things that didn't matter waiting for the gauntlet l was sure Virginia would throw down when we were alone. Her frst WoroS aston ished me:
 Mice little woman. your partner l should think, though, that you two would have your hands full. Don't you need assistants?'
 We hope to have an office boy Ill a day or two.' I said lightly. Then girding myself for the fray, I added And I'm trying to persuade Betty to come in and learn the busin
 "splendid!" cried Virginia. That's the best idea you've ever had. How does Betty take it?"
 She's willing to have her think ing done for her, isn't she?" l sug- gested. Shell come because I say so. But I think she'll stay because she'll find work filling her mind and driving out the agony of remember ing and remembering all the time.
 Shell make good," commented Virginia Betty is the sort of wom- an to make a go of anything she gets interested it. But there's only one problem. She can't live alone. You can't pull up stakes and leave Car lotta Sturges to go to her. Pat and I have talked that over. He fee1s that you owe Carlotta something, too. So we're counting on you to stand by Carlotta and to make Betty see that the only solution for her is to como back to us. Tm sure she ought to be grateful to us for wanting her after she ran away from us.''
 Betty won't come back to you, Jeanie,' I said gently and yet with a weary distaste for the herculean task of making this clear" She needs :. to be in her own home. She requires the surroundings that were hers be- rTI-. yE1o love and companionship. I think she can take from a lonely person better than from two happy ones whose contentmen with each other con stantly reminds her.
 There's more to it than that" said Virginia shrewdly. You're genu- inely fond of Car1otta. You know how much Pat and I admire her. You would never slight her unless there were some big reason for your actions. Fond as you are of Betty. you would naturally feel that you'd
 ne your full duty by her in giv ing her chance in your office. Are you leaving the Sturges home-to arouse sympathy for Carlotta?''
 'I wouldn't say that" I began, hedging uneasily.
 Are you trying to get Betty out of the centre of the stage?" persisted Virginia
 'EP1ease," I protested.
 But, leaning forward and fixing her eyes on mine with a sternness that startled me, Virginia said:
 Its Tony you're playing up to Anne.. Well, we won't interfere. But I think it's going to cost you Carlor- ta's friendship. And it may not bring her the happiness you're hoping to give her. Have you balanced your ledger and made up your mind about the debit and credit side?"
 "Yes, Virginia" I acknowledged. But if you mean to stand by, you'n never breathe word of this-to anyone-not Tony!"
 Virginia got to her feet and took my hands in hers She laughed un- steadily as she cried: 4-
 Anne Harrison, you're a brick: When the day comes for you to fight for your own happiness-counr me Good bye, dear"
 Her exit was SO hasty it left me breathIess. But I know that for long time to come I will carry with me one aching uncertainty.
 Why should Virginia suggest that I may have to fight for my happi- ness?
 CHAPTER 733