The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-11-03
When A Girl
 Marries
By ANNE LESLIE
CHAPTER 7S4.

When Ralph Lacy suggested that his Aunt May adopt Betty, my little partner came out openly and expr ess- ed the adoua tion I'd felt at her atti- tude toward Betty from the momen of their meeting. I've never seen anything offered more simply, hon estly and lovingly than Miss May gave Betty her whole loyalty. And Betty accepted it with sort of won dering simplicity that was very grat- flying to me. But Tony was not giv- ing the situation his whole-hearted approval. So much was evident from the f1rst-though his reasons weren't clear.
 When Mabel Storrs arrived we all settled down promptly to a comforta-, ble almost family party. Park 1n- S sted on doing all the serving and waiting at table. and he impressed Mabel into service with a gay an- nouncement that they were the rankest outsiders present and ought to earn their welcome.
 Mabel had an astonished air of being at her ease and yet not know ing why she should be. She seemed to think it was all too good to be true and that she might wake up any minute and find it wasn't true. Betty swung into a mood of forgetfulness. But there was something almost daz- ed in her peaceful manner. I felt as if we were all on the edge of some thing very different from the moo0 of happy well-being which Park and Ralph Lacy seemed almost to be imposing on us-
 At the end of the evening, when our guests had obligingly washed the dishes before departing. Betty came trailing into my room in a fashion to remind me rather pathetically or CarIotta's 'hair brush visits.''
 'Did you have a happy evening"" she asked. 'I hope it wasn't so bad. I made you come and I don't want you to be-too sorry"
 'I1n not sorry at all" I said, add ing quickly: Betty. don't want you to force yourself to things that are a strain for you. I'm here to make you happy You musn't feel that you have to do things that go against the grain. I've a very busy, full life. and if my evenings are quiet, it won't hurt me-
 You're happy, Amer" asked Betty wistfu1ly.
 ''I'm not unhappy replied firmly. 'tNot at all. And I'm very, very busy so I haven't too much time on my hands-and don't have to fall back on the thinking of myself and my troub1es-real or imaginary
 I felt my way carefully because I didn't quite know what Betty ex- pected of me. nor yet to what extent she'd force herself to meet me half way in situations where she ought to be consid cred rather than I. With g. sudden right about face. Betty said:
 Miss Mays a dear. isn't she? feel so attached to her already-as if I'd always known her. I've never had such a queer feeling of belong ing. Really TGl have to call her Aunt May even If it sounds silly. seem to be related to her."
 That's sp1endid,"~ I said. ''And in becoming her niece, you acquire two fine young cousins"
 "One of whom Is very much inter ested-' began Betty in a tone which startled me because 1t was so full or the downright strength I'd fancied had been pretty thoroughly drained from Betty's life.
 Being startled that any one should sec what only suspected. I jumped both literally and f1guratively.
 Whereupon Betty pulled herself up and looked at me questionfngfy.
 "I-didn't know you'd take my re- mark so seriously she commented with something almost apologetic in her tone.
 "I didn't know 1t was so obvious l self had any idea of Parks attitude, and if even he was fully aware of it.
 wouldn't call 1t obvious just be- cause I saw it, returned Betty, with the old Betty-twinkle in her eyes.
 had never before caught that g1int of hurnor in her expression since the time when she found that the operation wasn't restoring the use of her arm. So when I found 51% aP "twfnkling'' resp ponsive1y to the af- fairs of my friends, I determined 10 do my best to keep her smiling, I replied lightly:
 "No; you've never been actually dull about getting things that might be yelled from the common herd. Still this is so much in it's early stages that I thought even you wouldn't notice until the flames are famed a bit -
 'EYou thought I wouldn't particu- Iar1y notice,' said Betty, reproachfully, "You thought I was so seIf-centered I wouldn't get it.
 Surely it wouldn't be to your d!s- cretit if you didn't get it," I counter ed. "I don't think your Aunt May sees -'
 s'she hasn't the background or knowledge. She doesn't know the calibre of the people involved" said Betty quietly.
 why, you funny dear!" I cried. "She knows Park mighty well, an~ as for Mabel. you've just met her -
 ''Mabe1!" cried Betty, her face study in changing expressions What are you-I mean what are we -ta king about, Amer
 Wayne Parkinson's attitude towards my blessed old man-hater, Mabel Storrs, seems to be the sub ject that has the attention of the assembled multitude I replied drily.
 Betty leaned forward and studied my face for nom ent- Inn she Laughed brisk1v and with a note hadn't heard all evening.