The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-10-24
A Girl
 Marries
By ANNE LESLIE,

But thlS party revolyed around Virginia" I said uneasi1y, as 1oath to hurt Park and I was to leave Betty too loos under Virginia's in- 1uence.
 Suppose we make it revolve around Queen Nab" suggested Park impishly. He looked no more than ten as he spoke.
 'You funny boy!" laugned Mabel. This seems to be about to become her stock phrase for addressing H-arK.s It commits her to nothing except ner attitude that he's a slightly ns-a grown-up Oliver, to be tolerated with a pleasant grownup amusement at his astonishing performances.
 Queen Mab's party it is!'' cried Park with great satisfaction. we will now repair to the office of A L. Morrison, Advertising ConsuIrant and consult Aunt May about her dates for Sunday. If anyone thinks we owe it to her, we'll invite Max Hoad- ley, Esq. and my new partner-but I should say we colsd get on without them. What says Queen MaNs'
 'Why-I can't go off a-visiting like this, I. Amer" asked Mabel more bewildered ths- annoyed
 'Can't?'' asked Park austerely.s Meaning it isn't done. Insinuatinr that Mrs. Grundy would object?
 
 suits your royal fancy. I am but a child. My father is an old, old man. Whatever gladness you bring into our hearts will be marked to your credit in the final accounting So your coming is settled. And with Mrs. Anne Harrison to cnafperone you, why should you hesitate to take my word about needing no chape- rone?"
 "Isn't he ridicuIous?" asked Mabel of me.
 Her tone held the warm indulgence of a mother for some prank of her youngest Her eyes sought mine with a look of friendly understand ing and restedness. In world where men were to her either ravening wolves or impersnnal business ac- quaintances, boys were elf1n creatures to pet and baby. Oliver was a case in point And now Park seemed to her like nothing except rolliclking big boy-as harmless as Oliver Un- easily - wondered If she made her self and her attitude quite clear to Park and if he was getting just wbat he was angling for.
 ''Wil1 you go if I do?" I asked, feeling that my duty to Mabel was paramount at this minute to my wish to serve Betty as she might have no desire to be served.
 "Why-Td do anything YOU thought I should, I suppose" said Mabel thoughtfu1ly. q mean I'd always take my cue socially from you-if I got it. Pm an outsider I don't really know if it't right to grab an invitation from a. nice, warm hearted boy like this. I have to con- fess to my ignorance and my awk- wardness. I've never had chance to 1earn-and Eve never cared to go about-where I was we1come-an rough on the edges-as I am. I guess I sound funny It's my way of a,nologizing to you. Anne, if ever make you ashamed of me- "1 never will be-" declared warmly, my hand over hers
 Indeed you want" cried RaIph Lacy warmly. his eyes seeking mine With something I read as approval and a declaration that he'd stand by, And I'm thinking that we'll Save a. wonderful time at Park Manor, You'n both find it a privilege to known Wayne Parkinson, Second. Parks father is the finest old gentleman, the most thorough -&oing aristocrat. and the kenest yet simplest mentality I've ever met I'm thinking Sunday can't come a day to soon for me-"
 As he finished I felt MabePs hand stiffen and go cold under tI~e Dress ure of my fingers. InvoIuntarily my eyes sought her face. It also had grown stiff and cold and as set as mask. Her voice suddenly poured out with a measured coolness that made me wonder what she was hold ing In leash behind her taut manner.
 1T can't comei' she cried. ''I was only in fun when I acted as if could. You must all see how-im- possible it is for me to make a plan like this so suddenly-if there were any thought I could make 1t at all It's charming of you to take me on trust. But I'm nothing but a bus mess acquaintance of Mrs. Harrfson.s. I wouldn't-intrude at Dreamwold-I can't at Park Manor. I can't I've work to do Sundays. Oh, I'm bungl- Eng this so badly, Anne. Tell them. please, that I never go about''--
 Her voice died away to a whis- per that told more than the words she couldn't say.
 You ought to know my father,'' said Park, gently. You will some time Ralph and I don't count He's a regular fellow and I'm a fool boy, but we don't count. You have to know my father"
 Mabel turned to him with burn- ing cheeks and filmed eyes.
 What a nice child you are," she cried. But you rnusn't ask me to break the rules I've made for my own-protection" e4s
 '1 won't ask you to do a darn thing you don't clamor to do,'' said Park, his tone no longer that of a. boy, but completely manly and re- assuring.
 Instead of reassuring Mabel. it tripped her uD, so to speak. She looked from Park to Ralph and back z again. To ease the tension I gath cred my wraps about me. and arose to go. As Park held Mabe1's coat .. for her Ralph Lacy murmured to me: -tf
 Shed have gone but for my blum dering in. She doesn't like me But Park wants her to like him. Why