The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-06-20
When 4 Girl M0ryies
By ANN LESLIE

Don't you mean Neal eIoped with Phoebe?" asked Tony quizzicalIy. That's what Virginia thinks That's what she may have written you" I stormed. But Phoebe wouldn't let Neal go without her. Now they're out with Father Andrew and as happy as only young love can be. NeaPs almost over the bad effects of h:s wound But all the reactions fall on me. Vir- ginia won't even speak to me- My own words seemed to open the floodgates of the feelings I had kept tightly closed for so long, I hadn't whimpered to a soul about Virginia's treatment of me. I'd almost made myself think that I could get along without her very nicely since she didn't seem to need me. But here was the truth-out at last.
 The barriers of silence were down. I couldn't set them up again. By my own words I'd put it out of my power to endure the piled up agon:es of the past few days through another moment of silent self-reliance
 I flung myself forward, leaning against the table and gripping it's edge with tense fingers. Closing my eyes to shut out the whirling room steadied my voice to a dull mono tone. The words seemed to rush out of themselves-almos ost without choice or volition on my part-like a flood.
 i've almost gone mad these past few weeks. My business was started and going splendidly- MT. Hoadley's an excellent and paying client He got me the Yelda Importing Company And Carl Booth, my old friend at Haldane's, secured the account of the Derringforth Shoe Company for me But I've had a lot of initial costs to pay And neither the Yeida concern nor the Derringforth people have paid cash on delivery for my services.
 Bills went on coming in. Then MT Derringforth almost went to smash. I tried to help him. And today I had to pawn my pearl ring to pay his advertising at the Star. had to. He'll be wiped out if we can't go on advertising and get in enough money through sales to carry us over this bad time of depression. ....I had to pawn my ring!''
 'You poor little girlt'' murmured Tony.
 My ring!' repeated brokenly 'sThe only thing I had left. The only one of Jim's present that hasn't gone. And that had to go today"
 You poor little girl,' he said again with infinite gentleness. Then he added briskly. Well, - I'm back, Anne You have a sane and sensible business adviser now. And we'll go into a session on ways and means at once"
 There's nothing to do now-noth- ing except for me to work. I can't fail"
 I'm afraid I whimpered it. I felt terrible let-down. My own words had summed up my troubles in brief sentences, but I'd sk:rted the real meaning of my greatest danger. I'd said no word of the two men who had failed me. I hadn't touched on my consequent weakened faith in men and their friendship. What l had said hardly explained anything at all. If Tony were indeed to help me there was so infinitely much more I felt I'd be compelled to tell him.
 But how could I bring myself to fill in the ugly details?
 .'I've got to see this through. I can't yield to this-panic," said grinlly, straightening my shoulders and lifting my head until my eyes met Tony's ice-blue ones
 "You'u see it through all right, said Tony. And it won't be such bad job after I trot you around in the morning and help you get credit with my bank
 What do you mean?' I gasped:
 (To Be Continued)