The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-10-25
When A Girl
 Marries
By ANNE LISLE-

word TOT lear or SpO1unS Tny--OuF evening. That's what you'd do. But that isn't quite the way to treat a pal is it? There must be, some thing I can do to help Will you let me serve? There's nothing-abso- lutely nothing I wouldn't do for you-'
 "I believe that I replied quietly, deciding there was no reason to withhold the truth. And know you will understand my wanting to do anything in my power for friend of mine who's in need No one else in the theatre party knows her-and I don't like the idea of blurting out the story of someone e1sss grief and unhappiness. But it's poor Betty Winston
 "Please," MT. Lacy stopped me with a smile at once very grave and very sweet. You needn't tell me anything you think unfair to your friend Poor Mrs. Winston has come back from far away-and has turned to you. That's 1t, isn't it?'
 'sYes" I replied, my heart warmed by his understanding and delicacy.
 May I ask one question?' he ven tured quietly
 MT. Lacy - of course!" I ex- claimed.
 .~Then-is there som mething I can do for your, friend? Is there any way I can serve? I knew the other night that she meant a great deal to you. Sol don't feel like an ouAtd- er-quiteI"
 He spoke eagerly and yet with & sturdiness back of his nervous ten sion. I had a feeling that if Ralph Lacy were standing by Betty. Tony would be free to go to Carlotta and his happiness. But I had no proof that Betty would welcome any one new-indeed, I was not sure that any one save just I, myself, could serve poor, distraught Betty now. So I shook my head slowly and regret fully.
 ''she counts on me. Coming to me is her first decisive step. Her Terry was snuffed out in a miRute, you know, after they were yeas& coming to the point of taking thelr happi- ness together. She's come back to try to take up the broken pieces of her life. Everyone has wanted to help. At first no one could get any reaction from her. Now as I was telling you. she has found it possible to reach out to someone. She isn't just gone-as she was the other night
 Thank you for telling me this" sad Ralph Lacy gravely. 1T feel that you've done me a great honor. And I believe y0u realize that any
 
 to do-would seem also an honor''--
 MT. Norreys," announced Bertha from the doorway.
 My heart lost a beat. I'd felt cer- { tain that Tony and CarIotta were off by now. In the moment before Tony followed the announcement of his name, I whispered:
 Follow my lead. I'll have to pretend we're going out
 Then. with this brief 1oreaa r-a +ioro to insure Carlotta her evening and her chance. l went forward to meet Tony. Gripping his hand with a lit tie extra warmth because I hated the idea of being in league to de ceive him, even to keep my word to Carlotta, I said with assumed buoy- ancy:
 Good evening". Tony Norreys Here's a chance for you to have a reunion with your friend, Ralph Lacy.''
 The two men shook hands with a warmth that was not assumed or ac- cepted for any set purpose.
 Great to see you agan! But what happened to our lunch. One of us was threatening to route the other out. wasn't he?" cried Tony. Fv
 Think we'd better tie up for to- morrow" replied Halph Lacy, with equal friendIiness
 It's signed and sealed" laughed Tony Do we stag is the first time to arouse little envy and then, after we've boasted of our fine masculine eonfab, do we take-some girls along next time?'
 You said it!' returned MT Lacy grinning in the fashion most remin- scest of Neal. Mrs. Harrison and'
 Who said what?' gasped Carlotta. from the doorway Good evening Have l kept you long?"
 Good evening, wouldn't dare say so, replied Tony with a chuckIe.
 As I was presenting Mir Lacy to Carlotta, her eyes roamed from his lace to mine with pleading expres- sion that told what I'd known even without her haste to meet Tony and her nervousness at a sight of us waiting with him. She was in act uai terror lest we turn her duet into a quartet, or in some other way inter- fere with her evening. So, quickly, for fear she'd defeat her own pur- pose by too great eagerness blurred out:
 Don't ask us to join you We'd have to refuse, wouldn't we, MT. Lacy? It happens that a friend Of Mir Lacy's is giving a theatre party tonight
 Tt so happens" said Ralph Lacy gravely.
 'I call it shame. dos't you, Car fottta 2? asked Tony with a disap- pointed air which I fancied was poor Carlotta wrathe. 'Ive an idea that we four could have bang-up celebration
 You talk as If you and Mir Lacy were old friends Car1otta cried ner- vously.
 we are We met once before the night I brought Betty to Anne for help" replied Tony, in the deep, steady voice that writes itself 80 ded- nitely on the consciousness of who ever hears. I was sorry you weren't here. Carlotta, and yet glad, too Anne knew how to baby Betty, and Betty didn't mind letting down, siumping completely before Anne 4 ran ia