The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-01-25
When 4 Girl
 MQrries
CHAPTER ccCcLxN
By ANN LISLE

the creaking old elevator, which rro- ! ceeded so slowly, tried to bring my self into state of calmness suitable
 for calling on the dear invalid. 1 The day had been breatnless, but 1 I didn't want to be. I must forget | the strain of planning for Darrow arrest and the threat Of future evil
 I'd read in his malignant glare. l
 must get over the shock of finding | that I'd bound Toms interests to
 mine again and that he was still the i same old sixpence after all. Lightly | he'd revealed his interest in D y,isy
 for my sake. I wanted to believe | that his friendship was loyal and dis ipterested-but was it safe to ignore l the evidence that he is still a philan- derer?
 ! Relax, Anne! Don't take yourself l so seriously" I commanded myself as stepped out of the elevator and hurried to Neal's door.
 Ringing three times in rapid SUc- cession as a signal that 1t was one of the inner circle waiting for adniis- sion, I stood smiling in anuci2a ton
 of the oozy, homy, family teel!ng the strain of a hard day.
 Phoebe opened the door. At sight of me her childlike, flower-face hard ened. For a second I thought she was going to slam the door in my face. Then simultaneously we burst into speech. I didn't hear her pe- cause of my own cry:
 I'm so glad you're alone! I want to tell you how sorry I am. I didn't want to hurt you this morning. never want to hurt you. Let's be friends again.
 stopped my own rush of words to hear what Phoebe was saying:
 50 you condescended to come!" she sneered. ''It would serve you right if I didn't let you in. But now that you're here it's as good a time f,a Come in."
 She threw the door wide and mock ingly stepped aside to let me enter. Suddenly I realized that up to this moment she'd been blocking the door
 ''Phoebe,'' I murmured reprov- ingIy.. ''be careful. You'll disturb
 50, you're thinking tc.nderely of Neal!" Phoebe flung out scorntuiiy. You were thinking of him all day. suppose. You proved it, didn't ,u. like .ept the devoted sister you a1,as sre?" ha careful. He may hear-
 'I don't wonder you're afraid he'll hear. But it would serve you right you think it can upset him any more 10 hear IS discuss your devotion tiidn it did to lie there all day without . message from you?''
 T tried to get you." I protested. 'I tried over and over. The line was always busy. And the minute I was free, I came here- There's no reason for you to talk to me in this manner, Phoebe-and it will disturb Neal"
 Phoebe's face actually went gl ay while I was speaking. but as sine replied, angry color flooded to her cheeks.
 There's no reason for me to talk to you at all, Anne. I had not intend ed to. I told you so this morning But when l heard you ring-and knew it was you because Jeanie and Dot Irn ont nf NeaPs room and closed the door af- ter me. You sh"n't hurt Neal any more than you have already, if can help it.''
 Have I hurt my blessed Nea1?" I said with an effort to be placating. Then I added with laugh: He's not an emotional woman, Phoebe. He's man. In his place I suppose I'd be fuming about how I was neglected. but he had you. I'll wager he hard ly knew I wasn't here?
 Phoebe's lips curled back-but not in a smile.
 You let your own brother l'c here all day without even word from you while you gallivant around with the Mason woman?
 Phoebe" protested Right af- ter lunch"-
 Phoebe swept on with put paying the least attention.
 Has she gone home or is she waiting for you in a taxi. while you drop in for a moment to honor us by your interest,""
 I took a quick step or two and caught Phoebe's slim shoulders in self free, but I held her firmly and tried to draw her into my arms as said slowly and pleadingly:
 Phoebe, if any other woma- talk ed to me as you've done. I'd turn on my heel and ignore her thenceforth and forever. But you're Jim's little sister. You're Meals sweet n art. So l. choose. Now. it's my turn, however. You must listen."
 q won't listen," cried Phoebe. l tearing herself away and flinging her T might have forgiven you for insist ng on keeping your engagement with Evvy Mason. But when you gallivane around withs her for wh ole day ig future wife took stand. Wl.y. you haven't even shown your devotion as yet by inquiring about hirn!"
 Have you given me a chance! ialt until you feel a little more calm. m the meantime I'll go into see Neal .,, 70. you will; will youz" rhosbs Sof while I'm here. If you go in to Neal now, you'n do it understanding that I march out of here leaving him to your devoted ministrations. And |
  to banisn myself"
 Phoebe, be reasonable,' lied in | utter evaporation. This is all | about nothing I had lunch with Evvy and Tom. Then Tom did a great | service for Jim and me. I can't tell | you more. I didn't want to tell you | so much, but ! never forget that 1 Jim's your brother ard that yoI love l him as I do my blessed Neal You're i tired out and overwrrught or you i wouldn't insist on quarrelling with l me-
 "I-insist-'' gasped Phoebe. "Oh. | that's rich, Now you're trying to pre- 1 tend that I'm picking a qu-.rrel with i you. That's the way you gloss over | vour disloyalty 10 NeaHby pretend i ing that Pm quarrelling when I resent | vour seeing the Mason woman and 1 going so far as to neglect Neal for her Now, look here. Anne. If you intend beirg friends with hor-if you | insist on having your own disgrace full way about that--I insist on some 1