The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-11-22
When A Girl
 Marrie5
By ANNE LISLE-
CHAPTER 74S.

attempt to pin Dad Lee down with question he couldn't evade he sat hudd1ed into a pathetic bundle in h1s chair. He fumbled with his hands, rubbing them together with a, dry rasp that set my teeth on edge. He looked absolutely pathetic. An idea came to me and I put it quickly, and the more mercilessIy because for Jin's sake ' dared not risk feeling too much of pity for this strange man.
 "YOu were hurt at my suggestion that I don't love you as Dick West does,' I flung at him. Why should I? If you were to stand by me ana mine as you've stood by him all along, perhaps I'd begin to care for you. You've clearly shown that your Ge- votion and loyalty are his. That's why he loves you-because you've earned it. Suppose you earned my faith -"
 I left it therein the air as it were waiting to see if he'd reach up and seize up it. What he did astonisned me. He shambled to his feet and stood balancing weakly as if he were clutching at the shreds of a dignity he'd almost forgotten.
 Are you asking me to double cross them what has trusted me from the 1rst?'' he demanded at last
 I laughed with intent to impress. But 1t wasn't all theatricals, for talk of faith between any human being and Dick West, thief, setter of fires and potential murderer-is absurd. But at my laugh Dad Lee flung around upon me and fairly snarIed:
 "Quit that! Dick never had any hunch where I was concerned except ing to do his best by me. He'd let me in on any good thing he had"
 And I was a potential good thing I suggested suavely. going on quickly1 to add: I'm not that now, I'm wise. I see just how much you and Dick counted on what you can never realize"
 Dad Lee drew himself up and met me bluff for bluff as he asked pom pously:
 You're a smart girl. r'dear But ain't you tired O playing lone hand?'
 'Meaning?'' demanded, with the conviction that I wasn't going to like what followed.
 Dad Lees manner was suddenly very protective. I had an idea that he had saved a high trump tim last and that he was going to play it now and with all the 1nesse at his com mand.
 Whats your husband doing away so 1ong?" he asked gently.
 Are you-shortening his stay?" asked smoothly
 'What's he doing away from a pretty lilly like you?" continued Dad Lee severely Don't he know enough to watch his affairs and at the same time be close enough to the Hke1iest thing he owns to protect her when she needs it mOst?''
 Don't you think m able to take care of myself? Have you ever been able to get the best of me?" I asked conquering my distate at being la- belled a possessiOn-even of Jim's
 l.No-but you need man to stand by he said screwing his eyes tighter and fixing them gimIet-wise on my face. 'If you didn't, would you be trailing along with that Lacy chap? You're one of those Allies, m'dear, that need a groom He! He!
 guess made a joke just when was | trying to do my best by you and | kinda steer you back to the home | pasture. m fond O you, m dear, tho mavericks don't belong in your life. Then. as if he'd blundered. Dad Lee | rushed on: ''So again I ask you | like a father wOuId-wny don't your | own man come home and look after | you-if he's planning to do it ever | again ?'
 'Jim will be back when you least expect him" I laughed to hide a | creeping sense of uneasiness and | wondering who was the maverick of Dad Lees warning
 'I never expected him 1essn' right | now,'' sighed Dad Lee.
 (Which doesn't get what you might l call a rise out of me-" I chirruped. ''And now lets talk about Dick. Has he-gone after Jim?''
 Dad Lee stared at me intently as if he were trying to read my mind
 
 gHmpsing his.
 Has he gone after Jim ?" I repeat Ed insistently.
 ''He's-on journey" Dad Lee conceded at last.
 \ ''Then why did you pretend you were going to bring him today? Why always pretend? Don't you see there's nothing for us to build on-nothing put a fabric of lies? Tell me" worked myself up to a sort or frenzy Is made my demand. tell me-are Tou ever going to manage this meet ng. between Dick and me-manage t, I mean, before it's too Iate?"
 '"Too Iate?'' stammered Dad Lee. -&n never be too late as long as you so$me to protect them That's 'trafel&- I think of you more'n you rive ths- old man credit for. Seems O me-one way of looking at tt-rm 'IdTN1h dIil suns lO Itlc I Or you. You'n never know what I ,een through
 He sniveIed. and I found myself livided between disgust an a strange plying for the unlovely old age of Jim. With Dick away realized that le had no real friends in the city-no me to love him except the undaugh- erly daughter with whom he could lever comeefo terms other than these h4YS l Did Dick leave you provided for?" asked
 Dad Lee started. Then he snivelled gain.
 ''I ain't got much" he confessed. a T could do with a bit of change. I q ion't get much to eat
 I fumb1ed in my purse and tooN