The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-11-25
When A Girl
 Marrie5
By ANNIE LISEE-
CHAPTER 152,


 still waiting in our stalled car. Lyons returned with a service car and the missing part The repairs were made quickly and twenty minutes later we were off to finish our quest.
 On we went through darkness that seemed steadily to grow more black and mysterious. We twisted and turned through little paths that were no more than corduroy roads for hauling logs in the winter woods. On through the woods we went and then down a twisted little shore path that was nothing but a trail above gray dunes. I shivered unconUOlla- ply.
 "Cold?" asked Ralph Lacy n a tone that came with mufled force from his corner Of the tUnneaU.
 'FIt's nerves" l said.
 ''I wish l could heIp"-he began and broke off with queer abrupt ness.
 You do,'' laughed shakiIy .T'd be terrified beyond endurance if I were taking this - excursion with anyone but you"
 Don't commit yourself to more than you mean" said my companion quietly.
 It was as if he were giving a tonic and insisting that I take every drop of 1t. His words distilled slowly and made me stop to realize that I had confessed more of dependence in this good friend than I'd been conscious of feeling.
 'I mean every word of confidence I've expressed J brought out slowly. t'I've the utmost faith in my good old Lyons. But this would be a little 100 grim and nerve-Vracking for us to see through alone. We need-you."
 Thank you,'' burst from Ralph a in g.F v@g,y glow Of words. I wonder if you know how intensely grateful a man can be for a faith as simple and unquestiOn- ing as yours2 asked you tonight 1T you trusted me absolutely You said you did. But no declaration there in the warmth and light of my civilized city office could mean half as Tuucn as your unwavering attitude out here in | 5he very friuges and backwaters of | life"
 'rm glad my faith cheers you" | gave back with a feeling of serenity | that almost startled me.
 ''It does all of that" said Ralph 1 Lacy. Then he laughed with the boy ish ring that makes his voice take on | the quality of NeaTs. And at the l sound tremendous sense of relief 1 came over me. I knew then I'd had | silly seIf-consciOus terror Of losing l something very fine and rare
 Do you know. I've never been a | responsible family man before Tn all | my rootless backgroundIess life 9" he | went on gravely. And now I'm sort 1 of godfather to James Harrison and | wife, and not2"
 ''You area fairy godfather!" I | managed.
 Sure thing And so I conjure you to believe the grim little hsnerman's !. shack to which I'm taking you is a . beautiful gingerbread house to nour- fsh you and Mir. Harrison and make you wax fat and prosperous"
 The car gave a terrific lurch just then and listed heavily to one side. After moment it dragged back to a solid position again and lurched on past a series of disreputabIe little cot tages. with dim lampItght Altering out from broken and dirty windows
 Then, this little settlement passed. solitude closed in again. Gray sands straggly woods coming down 10 nleer them, cold sweeping in through the closed windows of the car. a world of Lands End.
 The car stopped. its wheels settling heavily into the sand that seemed to be all about. Lyons opened the door and stood back while MT. Lacy got out and helped me to aIfght Then. with MT. Lacy leading the way and ! Lyons close behind me we went I'D the drifting sand to the door of the most remarkable human habitat1on I've ever seen
 The house stood in grim darkness. save for one finger of light pointing but through a rattIinE shutter which looked as if it had never known paint Everything saEged The house sianr- ed crazjly on its insecure foundations 1 the winows played 8 rat-a-tat in the wind which seemed to whirI spiterul 1ustlades of sand against the cringing house.
 Ralph knocked briskIy at the door Of the little shanty- But no response broke the stiffness He Knocked again and rattled the door knob. Then to an accompanimeut of coughing, a bolt slid hack and the door swung open, rocking 3eriIousIy on its rusty hinges
 Revealed in the doorway was a man whose Eaunt and stooDGug figure was undeuiably familiar One glance told me that I'd seen him Orteu. A quick searching of my over-stirnu- lated imaEiuattou told me no more however The Eauut man stared ay us with no expression in his Cadaver- Ous face. His Iack-Iustre eyes re- mained dull His whole bearing was apathettc-
 ''whatcha goin' to do to me-" ne asked duly.
 Send you up to the pine country where youH have chance" replied Ralph Lacy with a hriskuess that had a forCefui hamweriuE sound
 "G'wan." said the gauuv man With out visihly moving his thin lips ""hatcha EOEu' do that far2 Huh @-'
 ''For huuansty's sake Bu- if that doesn't strike you as much of req son. lets say we're Eoiug to do that in return for what you tell Mrs. Har- rison tonight" NIr- Lacy went on. his tone veer--E further in Iucis,veness and becoming hrusgue.
 The gauur man stretched his mouth in a sorry grin
 ..S------l -.- ---. .----- . s..s ]