The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-01-04
When 4 Girl
 Marries
CHAPTER 451.
By ANN LESLIE

CHAPTER 451. 4Dick Westr' I cried in answer to Ehoebe's Statement. Not Dick Vest! He wouldn't shoot Neal. He lsn.I even in this part of the coun- Isn't he?" asked Phoebe. "How no you know? Does he send you I don't know. As a matter of Ret I began.
 cut my sentence off short. I had 2een on the verge of saying: AS a. matter of fact, the, night I Hn out from the living room at preamwold for my mysterious walk, vent because l saw a man skulking S4der the windows spying on us. And #hen caught a glimpse of him, as 2 ran away, was pretty sure he was Mck West, until Neal, who had join sd me laughed the idea away" HOW could l say a word of this to rnoeoe? How explain my pursuit the man without telling too much ? 70 repeated my words with a new 9ct, don't actually know a thing Rout Dick Vests whereabouts. Why you suspect that he's back again ?' armed W Phoebsp epe "1 causbt enoW aiinpse afi pse & him on the street the day you 8me to Dreamwold. I didn't say kf<nythtng about 1t because I didn't at
 Ach any importance to it-for any
 me but me-"
 You didn't tell Neal?" I asked Phoebe shook her head. Why should I bother him? Any Tay. sort of forgot. Don't you re- nember that was the day Father Andrew got back? I had lunch with Neal and then he went up to your
 Lndrew while I had some fittings.
 When he met me at the train to go
 ,ut to Dreamwold in the evening he
 gas frishtfully excited. Pat was e vrvo dr,SA of, to talk. Dick West slipped my mind. md the minute we got home Jeante 1nd Pat started that discussion of he woman in Jim's office and what hey ought to do about Jim. Then 3u came never thought of Dick Phoebe stopped and stared at me R If she were waiting for me to ex- press some thought she dreaded to Rve put into words and yet couldn't Fat away from. Then she burst out EHntically:
 TT never thought of Dick West gain until 1t was almost too late. Edink of 1t, Anne, if he'd been a dead hot-tf Neal weren't alive I'd have e bear it and know that if I'd not cen such little fool once upon a fme it wouldn't have happened"
 "Phoebei" I said sternly. "Come
 kere.''
 uznpel her. Phoebe picked up a 1it- ie hossock, and placing 1t by the side & the couch, sat facing me, near nough so I could put my hand un- Ar her trembling chin and lift her nee to mine.
 @You think Dick West shot Neal &$ecause he's jealous;. because he re- 1embers the time when he had you g his power for a little while don't lou ?" I probed.
 Phoebe shut her eyes spasmodical- T for reply.
 I<And you think that If you'd told |. ryli Nh he street things would have been 1nerent. don't you?"
 'Yes." whispered Phoebe forlorn- You're wrong, dear" I said quiet VI Dick West thinks you were a felpiess puppet in my hands. He Eoesnt hate you at all. He didn't
 aalze any effort to speak to you when yfe saw you on the street that day. Ia he? He didn't show any sign f still keeping up interest in you? I M ions,f dear, or think they belittle you 4d your charm. For the little girl [no loves my Neal wouldn't feel com
 nnaented by Dick Vests fondness
 sThat's just 1t. Anne" moaned
 4oebe. "I feel ashamed to think
 ever liked him at all. or let him get to care for me. When saw Id to run a mile. started to cross he street to avoid him. and then I E0nfzed that he han't seen me, He kas going along with his coat collar pnuesed on the man with him. So El5ust crep along like a little mouse EHd din't make a single abrupt mo- Ian to attract his attention" M FPhoebe. was this & cold day?" ! sked .Try to remember" seWhat funny questionl'- replied shoebe. "But It wasn't cold at all Ering the day. Surely you remem- per for that's how you came to catch old when it turned to freezing in the Rening.''
 fIlssYet Dick Vests coat collar was ms absorbed in the man with him " you went by. Don't you see he ms trying to avoid you? He's asham- A to face you And that isn't the ort of emotion that would drive him l nto a quarrel with Neal on your ac- punt, is it?,'
 ser suppose not" agreed Phoebe l hting her little pansy face hopeful sdis hatred for Jim and me would ot account for 1t. either" said. 'Then you don't think it was Dick Vest ?' asked Phoebe. with a cor ain amount of relief.
 l <I don't know" I replied, "I can't ratch things up, but I'm sure there's u unt 8 thread or two missing to make he man with Dick West Was there Aything odd about him?"
 He was funny, little, stopped
 n1d man."
 "A little stopped old man." re-
 eated after her.
 A knock at the door interrupted
 6To Be Continued
 HovANNI GRASSO COMING