The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-07-22
When 4 Girl Marries
By ANN LISLE

tion of Virginia's marked stress on Jim's probable attitude.
 Yes" acknowledged Virginia sim ply, ''1've done a great deal of think ing about this.- It began when Rosa Cordova came to us. I couldn't bear to have anyone see what a blind alley you and I had plunged into"
 Rosa least of al?' I hazarded.
 Rosa least of au.'' acknowledged Virginia
 Then, with a murmur of delight, she looked up from her crisp salad.
 This is delicious: I'm actually sorry I didn't tell Pat to join us''
 You weren't sure enough of how things would go?'' I hazarded
 Virginia laughed tolerantly and warmly. Her amused eyes adn>-s ted me to fellowship she'd never before let me share. But her next words confessed a snobbishness I'd not dreamed had any part in this particular affair.
 'tOf course, I realize how much poise and efficiency you must have to manage your business affairs as Pat tells me you are doing"
 -tAs Pat tells you?" I questioned, with an emphasis I knew conveyed my meaning, which was: How did he dare to discuss me-or even to mention my name? Wasn't I com pletely persona non grata to you?"
 You were." chuckled Virginia in acknowle dgement. But Pat very cleverly directed his praises of you to Rosa Cordova. He took pains to establish you in her eyes as a young woman of extraordinary business ac- umen. l think those are his precise words. He said you'd made a go of a hard business in a hard field He said you'd won the good will of some l worthwhile folks. He beamed ad- miration for you because you hadn't come to the men of your family for aid and advice. Altogether he paint 1 ed a young woman to be reckoned with
 "So you-started reckoning" ventured impertirsptly. Gall me a snob and be done with | it," replied Virginia with an amaz- ing lack of resentment. tEBut you're | wrong this time. Anne. It's true that We all admire ability and suc- cess. But apart from the fact that I thought we owed it to Jim to- kiss and make up, I had only one motive in seeking yo1.''
 And that was?" I flung out eag- erly.
 Virginia colored. It was clear as | daylight that she had ] ade what 1 she considered a bad slip. She gave l ering for words-for a way out | "Oh-just to keep in touch with your end of Jinls game.'' she man aged at last
 l I've never seen Virginia so com pletely deserted by her poise and her cool superiority. I studied her for a moment through narrowed eyes. Then I asked a question. You don't trust Rosa Cordova % Why - don't you, either?'' was Virginia's startled reply. T do-in business replied with out seeming deliberadon.
 ''But not socially? But not where men are concerned ?'' asked my sis | ter-in-law.
 She was fairly transparent In astonishment I realized that a few | months in the world of business had given me enough se1f-assurance had quickened my mentai processes to the point where l could actually think a jump ahead of Virginia
 Has she been flirting with Pat. too?" I asked.
 That isn't what mind," flung out Virginia. "I don't mind anything special in her actions-except- cept having her take for granted thet I approve of her attitude toward | men. She f1irts with all men, Anne. with all men!'
 l There was something strangely dis | turbing in Virginia's tone. I couldn't determine whether she was dismiss ing Rosa Cordova lightly as a cheap little experimenter with emotions or warning me against this woman from the South.
 Gro Be Continued)