The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-02-22
SECTION
When fl Girl
 M0rries
Wr1STI NNV Ea
CHAPTER 492

Carl seemed tanned by the incl dents of our first morning. Gradu- ally we swung back 70 our normal friendEness. My work as 'sliaison officer between the advertising and editorial offices proved absorbing. It kept me busy from in the morning until at night. But that suited me perfectly. If I'd had much leisure on my hands I might have spent some of it grieving over the fact that there was no word from Jeanie call week long, I'd hardly believed that my break with Phiebe was final. But when, in addition to her cold avoid ance of me, I didn't get any sort Of message from Jeanie or from Pat, I began to think the Harrisons had cut me off entirely.
 | By the end of the week I. who had sstarted on Monday with 15 cents my total assets, reopened my account at the bank with a deposit which ran we'll up in three figures. My salary from HaIdane's was augmented by a bonus for saving the Hoadley account. and still further by the rent from my apartment.
 Early Sunday morning I went to talk over my affairs with Neil, of whom l hadn't seen much during the week.
 I'd have come to you. Babbsie,'' he cried, prancing up to kiss me after uSHelInS me m rom the door Wnlcl he himself had opened. 'Yesterday the nurse quit me. I'm a. big boy now-well and able to take care of myself and return the calls paid me by beautiful ladies. So, had you tel ephoned, your slave would have leap ed upon the magic carpet of a taxi and chugged to your side.'' There's no privacy in a. hotel, "I replied. And I've a lot of dark sec TetS to over with NEO1l You don't say sop chuckled Neal | 'Then I'll lock. the doors and stuff | the keyholes and phone my lady-love not to call for me till dinner-time. You know we're all going to dine at Jeanie's to celebrate my return to | steadiness on my pinS' I'm not" I replied, trying to hide the hurt I felt because I'd been left out. "I haven't seen Dad Lee all week and I can't break my promise to dine with the poor old man." You dine with him instead of mel cried Neal in prick1y voice. Well, I must say that doesn't sound like de- votion."
 'It isn't-to him. I protested, clinging to my invitation of an en- gagement. Its duty. I'm going to have a happy morning with the red | headed kent1eman I adore in spite of the temper which matches his papri- ka curls. And then I'm going off to try to be kind to the poor old man T can't love in spite of the fact that he's come half way across the country to get some of the devotion lonely old folks need. Now-have you any fur ther objections, before we table the question: 2''
 Table away, cutie,'' Neal laughed. giving me pat on the shoulder which bespoke understanding if not | approval. And now spill the tears. you want to shed on my once-again strong and sturdy shoulder l Its not exactly troubles,' I smiled in turn. First I want to show you a short but beautiful book in the | making"
 From my purse I slipped the bank
 book with it's gratifying entry, ands when Neal had looked at it in aston | ishment and satisfaction, I explained about the bonus which I'd earned. | You see,'' I went on, ''the rent money which comes in with such | pleasing regularity is going to be de- posted and left in the bank. I'm only | going to check out as much as I need l of my earnings. The rent is a reserve fund and so Is anything I can save | from my salary
 With living costs where they are.
 I shouldn't think your salary would even pay your way" protested Neal. l ''It wouldn't" replied. eff stayed at the hotel. But I'm going to look | me up a cheaper home. only stay | ed there because I didn't have any | available cash last week and I could sign checks at the hotel. Now I can afford to live in a cheaper place and pay as go.
 | Neal laughted, but interrupted him.
 self to stare at me grave1y as he de- l rnanded:
 Were you hard up last week. Babbs ?''
 What if I was-for actual cash ?''
 I replied evasively,. "I can always sign
 a voucher and get my salary ahead and no woman with a bank account like mine has to worry about car fare
 or theatre tickets. I think could even afford to lunch on chicken salad
 at a dollar and a half a portion some
 noon."
 Well, you sure are all right now"
 agreed Neal. And it's silly to argue
 with you about your not having bor-
 rowed from me if you needed it last
 week. I suppose I should have vol
 unteered."
 You were too sick to think of it
 and you had nurses and doctors to.
 pay" I insisted. Now that we've
 got me disposed of, and you're well enough to stand talking about your
 self a bit, I want to return to Dick
 West. You haven't even the tiniest suspicion where he is, have you, lad ?' 'T have not-worse luck. Believe
 me, Babaos, I'd feel better if I could
 lay my hands on the gentleman. t'Why don't you swear out a war
 rant for his arrest 2" I suggested.
 You cou1d-for assault with intent Ito kill, they call it, don't they? I'd
 like to know that the police are after
 him"
 'I want to reckon with that gen.
 tlenan myself" cried Neal passions
 ataely. 'I don't need to hide behind
 the law until I've given the dirty
 scoundre1 the drubbing he deserves
 and have shown him he can't hide up
 on me and jump out with gun very
 often and-get away with it..
 You don't think he'd try
 again.