The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-10-27
CHAPTER, 72S.

!. You will come and live with me won't you. Anne ?'' asked Betty l. simply.
 How can I-1eave Car1otta Sur ges?" l gasped.
 "She doesn't need you" said Betty. serenely. She just took you In to give you a home. She's sturdy and
 independent. She has plenty of money and that big house. But I'm alone. I hardly think I can bear being alone. Still. l can't live with Virginia. I can't go to a boarding house. I must have my home, Anne ?''
 The word held a volume of plead- ing and something of insistence.
 'I can't answer you this minute" I murmured.
 I'm hungry Betty almost whim- pered. Hungry for the first time. But I don't think I can eat q bite until I know. If have to leave this home of mine and go out to-take charity from strangers''-
 Stop, Bettyi" I cried, stunned into action by that word charity which so cruelty reminded me how near Betty is to charity-thanks to us to Jim and me.
 Let's not get into a discussion of ways and means until we've nad B good meal and are cosy and comfy and over our nerve-tiredness. I've had a pretty strenuous day --''
 And Pm a brute,' murmured Betty. sounding something like her old generous self in spite of the strained weariness of her voice. I'm so busy being sorry for myselef that don't think of other folks. I don't deserve to have friend in the world Let's lay the table,
 There was & note of explosive en- erGy in her suggestion, and I acted upon it. We both got tremendo ousIy busy at once. pulling out drawers and gathering up silver and linens, un- wrapping packages. selecting china and glassware. slicing bread, chop ping ice, arranging the food on plat ters and trays. I flung myself into the task and said no word that didn't have to do with such matters as the whereabouts of the ice pick or the kind of place plates Betty wanted used.
 When at last everything was fn order and the coffee set back on the stove to keep hot. we went into the dining room and fell upon our re- past with the appetite our labors had earned. All through the little supper our talk remained on the surface of things, but part of my mind was wrestling with the situation. I felt sure that Betty also was thinking of things deeper than she discussed. At last she pushed back her empty cof- fee cup, folded her arms in front of her on the table and looked me square1y in the eyes.
 Have you decided what to do about me?" she asked.
 I've decided to carry out my plan of offering you job," I replied, par rying her question with an implied one of my own.
 T need to go to work. don't I?'' asked Betty simply. "Our affairs are badly involved. We haven't much ready cash, have we?"
 Ignoring that pathetic and uncon- scious "we." I replied. with no at tempt to run away from facts.
 our affairs are involved in Jim's. I don't now how much you've guessed. I don't know how much Jeante has told you. but I'm work ing. and making a go of it. Jim's down in Mexico trying to save hIs fortune and that of the friends who invested through him. It broke his heart to think that if he failed you folks would go with him"
 He'd hate it more than ever. now I'm alone" commented Betty almost idly.
 "Yes," I agreed 'It's all compH- cated. We'll go into it later. But right this minute I've a going concern and have only one partner. I need another. You could learn the bust- ness in next to no time. It would be a favor to me, and it would put you beyond any present need.'
 And when Jim comes back he won't have me on his mind he won't feel that I'm pensioner on ais bounty commented Betty shrewdIy.
 ''It won't come to that. Jim will pull through" I replied
 Better if he hasn't any extra bur 1ens,' said Betty quietly. ''But tY rou've going business. you're not a. burden -
 NO; am an asset,'' I smiled
 And you've room for me?" tz
 Room and the need" I said.
 Virginia. wouldn't particularly ap- prove, would she?" Betty asked luickly.
 Probably not" I confessed. she lated to see me +go into trade Sbe'u oathe seeing me drag you in"
 That won't matter" Betty replied with amazing conciseness "I gave Ter clearly to understand that 1T couldn't shake off my daze and :het errible dependence that's chainfng ne and making a parasite of me d go to pieces.
 T couldn't stay there and graft on Ter and Pat. I forced her to see it. 'he gave in to my coming home. She aw the wisdom of our living to- ether. It all ties Up perfectly. There sn't loose thread. I go Into ousr- less with you. You cone to live nth me. I'm sure it's right"
 (To Be Continuedy