The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-12-08
When A Girl
 NarrIeo
By ANNE LISEE-
CHAPTER 76s

For some time after Jennie and Phoebe left me to meet Jim at the strictly Harrison lunch to which I was not bidden, 1 made spasmodic efforts to work. But when I realized that my attention simply wouldn't focus, and that I wasn't in a mood to do justice to any job. It decided to go out for matted milk and a brisk walk.
 Leaving the office in Franks charge trotted out and walked g. mile. Then, in pursuance of my rigid plan. E l marched into a drugstore and forced myself to drink the coffee and matted milk I didn't want. Another brick constitutional, and I hurried back to the office, glad that the hour was over and that I could get back to work-the one thing which would distract my mind from it's own per sonaI trials.
 Hardly, however, had I managed to. get down to work when Ralph Lacy called me on the telephone.
 Hello. Mrs. Harrison he said briskly, Can you drop everything end start down here at once?''
 ~Must I?'' l asked, finding myself with sudden distaste for making any kind of effort.
 genial insistence. Your husband is on the way here. I got him started on the jump the minute he called me on the wire; l think you'd better
 'I will" I said without further par ley. See you presently. Good-bye-'
  cfpation, I got ready and went out to ask Frank to hail me a taxi. Then I stopped to give a message to Miss ; May and Betty. ito be composed of everything but A. IL. H. these days I began apologeti- tcal1y. Here I am off again.
 Miss May looked at me with some thing in her eyes that verged on a question. But Betty got up and came ever to take my hand in both of hers.
 ha hlr nn s41-t- ner," said Betty, with so much of understanding in her face that I felt as if we'd been transported back to the days when I was a timid and laundering bride, and she my aide and 1 comforter. But as far as I'm con- cerned, it's a grand chance for me to l prove my metal. I'm afraid that I 1 may have looked like one of those | clean-sweeping-wh while-new brooms you | hear so much about. But I'm hoping | that in some measure I'll make up to | Miss May for your absences"
 "Of course it's never the same with l out Mrs Harrison said Miss May. l sponse. "But if anyone could cover i the big discrepancies and gaps and 1 things you leave when going to at | tend to the big affairs we both hear | a-calling you-it's my Betty Winston, bless her!''
 s-Tad, Ma'am!" announced Frank
 "A1I right!' I called. Run down, please. and tell him I'm on my way"
 Then I turned to the two who are earnestly:
 .If ever there were two splendid. loyal friends and co-workers, I've managed to draw them in the not all ways so fair and generous lottery of i life"
 ..Run along. with you" laughed Betty unsteadtly. we have lots of fun on the job, but we can't afford | dramatics.'
 It was just the right note. It gave things go amiss. I have at least this Nto count on-nny business and it's established and interested allies. Stop ping only to draw the check in full payment of my note and to instruct ] Miss May what to do if it were pre- sented during my absence, hurried down to the waiting taxi and set off for MT. Lacy's office.
 All during the drive down I tried to fortify myself for the meeting with Jim. I had no idea what his attitude would be, and I felt that must meet him more than half way on any basis he selected. When I got to MT Lacy's office I found Jim in earnest conversation with MT. Lacy. He arose to his feet with the same puncti1ious courtesy Ralph Lacy showed. but he did not come near me. This, of course, could pass muster as his dignifed avoidance of any demon stration before a third person. But Ralph Lacy's cordial greeting made Jtm's icy demeanor hurt me the more. 1 E ''Ive been giving MT. Harrison a i resume of our activities. MT. liar rison," he explained, as we all found | scenario I've told him frankly and honestly that with you to get hold of salient points and with the various channels a newspaper man can work l through, I think we're going to run 1 down the last of the clique that's been annoying hinl-and Foon. It's all clear, isn't it, MT. Harrison ?"
 'fYou've not missed a point" re- piled Jim, turning to MT. Lacy the cordial warmth of his friendliest smile. I'm not trying to thank you, I old man, because know you're the sort of chap who does things like this out of real friendliness and neigh had a real atreak of luck when she ram across you. I want to congratu- late her on her good judgment in turning to you. and I are real pals" said the other man boyishIy. We've lot or busl- ness interests in common, a td he5 dear little partner is my adopted aunt It means Q lot to a lonely chap like me to make such friends. We're a dandy group, and if you 1ust tahe she kind of a shine I'm looking for to old Park-my missing chum-all will be hunky-dory."
 Ralph Lacy was talking against time that he was uneasy-waiting for something to eventuate and hIhng Tn the moments with very ,t httle con n+ the sound of Parks name JiIh re- acted Harrison fashion.
 t.Park''-- he said slowly. 4 ou don't mean Wayne Parkinson Third do you? I wasn't told ot ms interest in-my fairs
 He was jovia1 and complacent at the mention of this aristocrauc name. on+ of my annoyance at his failure once +o address me. I made a Second - grievance at his snobbish reaction to thre suggestion that Wayne Parkln- son, Third, had entered into the mat I ter. ., 1 '