The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-10-31
When A Girl
 Marries
By ANNE LISLK-

''Hello Mrs. Harrison" came the greeting over the telephone wire This is Ralph Lag ealing at this 1nerci- less hour with malice prepense. Did 1 raise you before breakfast?'' The top O the morning to YOU and you did not I replied gay1y.
 You merely contrived a word with me on the eve of my racing off to business at my usual early hour. May l stop by to see your" was MT. Lacy's response on note of sus- tained seriousness that astonished me. ! I've something to go into with you. Mrs. Harrison, and it seems to me the quicker we establish lines of com | munication the better. I can be there in five minutes, you'll brook that delay
 "Tn wait,'' I agreed, chastened by the decision in his voice. "Good- i bye till then.'
 When I came out into the hall I i found Bertha there, uneasy and incap- 1 able of hiding it. I realized at once
 that she was worrying over oarIot- 1 tas message and din't know what l to do about it. So I took the plunge for her
 Bertha, I'm leaving here" I said. ''Im going to take care of poor Mrs Winston for 3 while. She needs me | and Miss Carlotta doesn't" ''Still and all," replied Bertha, Miss Carlotta can do with a little babying and to keep myself from noticing how sorely I'll miss you. Mrs. Harrison, dear, I'll take the liberty of looking out for her the best I know how"
 Thank you Bertha replied, deeply touched by the wonaans tact and god taste coupled with her kindness. "I might have known that you'd look at Miss Carlotta as sort of-sacred trust from me-"
 'I do, ma 'arn-excuse me, ma'am, I think I'd better be making myself scarce, but you know I'm here when wanted"
 And Bertha vanished suddenly. leaving me near tears and we'll aware that she was having trouble to re- | strain hers. I felt that the wisest course to pursue was to go down to my office, straighten out things for the day with my ever-reliabYe Miss May, and then come back to the Sturges house at noon for my pack ing. It would be none too easy to leave the place as was about to dL, but at least I could spare Carlotta and myself the double agony of hay ing her there when I went.
 What Jeanfe's attitude toward the situation would be I couldn't fore tell. Even Jim's was uncertain All I had to fortify myself was the knowledge that was taking the right course and even the inevitable one
 MT. Lacy's five minutes'' were short ones, so I hadn't much time to brood.
 Good morning." he said briskly, coming into the hall when I opened the door. I've an appointment with in walking distance of your house. So I'll send you down to your office and have my young taxi call back for me if that plan suits you.'' Tt does nicely, thank you, MT Lacy" I smiled, appreciating the full value of his thoughtfullness Then I'll just take minute to tell you something I think you ought to know" said MT. Lacy quietly. Last night Norreys and Miss Sturges came Into the very restaurant where our party was dining. I'm not sure
 put l think he saw US before I had a chance to face out the picture. Miss Sturges didn't. He put her where she couldn't see us I thought vou might reel better knowing this from me-" - Thank you,' I gasped I'm glad you've told me. What would you do if you were I?'
 I'd tell Norreys exactly what it's all about replied MT. Lacy quietly. | How could he know that this was the one thing I couldn't do? CHAPTER 731
 Almost at the moment when de. sided not to say a word to Tony i,
 explanation of last nights necnuar affair l realized that Ralph Lacy had luncheon appointment with Tony today. Tony's directness may csusa him to come right out and ask MT. Lacy what it Was all about Natur- ally enough my not being with the
 party when my escort was would seem mysterious and in need of clear ing up. But when I suggested th1s to MT. Lacy he met it with hesrrv and encouraging laugh:
 On, please give us men-folks creo
 It for little fnesse,'' he protested. T possible was taken iii and T rnfan,
 nave been unfeeling enough to Inf you In taxi and send you home. then returning to my merrymaking. Nor reys wouldn't catch me with goods like that. He saw that I wanted { to escape notice last night. He wcn.+ Say word to me-nor one to vou either, Mrs Harrison. if I know my
 man."
 Then we mustn't say word un- less Tony-opens the way. We c.,. trust to his bigness to carry bt1r, through without the explanation that's coming to him. I think he rather-not discuss-things."
 Rlght' said MT. Lacy "I hope you don't think I've butted in or ac,- ed like an offfcious meddIer or anv- thlng shade more unpleasant than that"
 You've acted Nike a good-paI," r replied. .--1
 That's what I intended And Pm ? glad it's all righti" he smiled.
 ou've been dragged into funny -nfx-up," I said, slowly. I've 2 feeling that you understand without
 my explaining things that aren'ts nfne-to reveal"
 think-I do." ackn owledged Ralph Lacy gently I'm glad you don't resent it. wasn't going .o