The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-01-27
SECTION
When fl Girl
 MQrries
By ANN IIsLIE

Syndicate Inc. Will you do the one little thing you can do to prove you aren't stub born and cruel?'' asked Phoebe. Will you give up Evvy?'' "I can't"
 .Then I'll never speak to you
 again. And I'll not live under the same roof with you You must speak to me while Neals sick-just to keep up appear ances before him. I protested wear fly. And in return for that I'll go home and pack. I'll leave Virginia s tonight
 With my head high and my step
 firm I closed the door of NeaFs apartment behind me. I had two dollars in my purse I had had no dinner. I didn't know where I was going for the night.
 With two dollars in my purse and my head flung high, I walked briskly out of the building where NeaPs apartment is located. I've always had g. theory that if you act like thor Cughbred you may also find yourself living the part.
 It is just about a, mile from Nears apartment to Virginia's and I req 1ized that the wisest thing for me to do was to keep out in the air and try to walk off my agitation over the position in which I found myself Two dollars isn't a. big stake with which to start life anew. Yet two dollars had to be considered my total assets since the check from Jim's office wasn't due for three days and the rent from our apartment was still ten days off, even if payment came promptly.
 I trotted along briskly, trying not k. nn m over the nerve-wracking incidents of the day. There was still less to gain by dwelling on the loneliness and the awkwardness of my present position. Phoebe's hint told me that she and Jeanie had considered the possibility of Jirn's staying away-indefinite1y. could guess the biting word they'd use, but I pushed that back into the dimmest corner of my mind. And. as I have g. way of doing when I want to clarify 9 tangIe of ideas, I began a silent conversation with myself as I walked along.
 Whats at the root of all your trouble, Barbara Anne? Money. It's money-or the lack of it-that took Jim away from you. It's money that brought Dad Lee to get what he thought was his share of your for tune and that made him betray you
 
 rying Father Andrew. And what but money is keeping Neal and Phoebe apart? The real reason that darling boy won't marry his little sweetheart is because he has an idea that he may have to look out for you. Now, then, what are you going to do about it ?"
 Almost as if were two persons of disassociated personality, answer ed myself:
 You're going to got money-that's what you're going to dc. You earned it once-you're going to earn it again. For that's the biggest contribution you can make toward helping Jim when he returns. And it will do a lot to settle other peoples problems right now. Tomorrow morning you're going to Haldane's to see if you can recover your old job. And that's that.''
 Braced by my determination I found myself arriving ait V1rginia's apartment in a state of self-posses- sion I hadn't dared hope I could achieve. Phoebe's attitude meant a break with Jin's sisters. More lone Illness! But was fairly sure that my determination to go to work would have brought about the same unfor- tunate result. Virginia would be un- a1terably opposed to it. And I might a
 When I arrived and Amanda opened the door with her unfailing pleasant greeting, she unconsciously dealt me one more blow.
 Run right in, Miss Harrison hustled Amanda. They at the dinner already. Say to hurry account of go- ing theatre"
 "Yes, Amanda I said breathless1y.
 It hurt to see how completely the "extra one'' I am. I don't cause a pleased flutter. Of course not. Aren't Pat and Jeanie happy and complete without the sister-in-1aw7
 ''fIurry. dear'' ordered Jeanie, look ing up with a smile of greeting, while Pat rose to help me to my place.
 We've tickets for the theatre. NeaFs so much better that we needn't feel bit heartless about going, and we all need the relaxation
 "I need the relaxation of a, hot bath and a. good nights rest" I protested, eager to seize upon this fortunate op- portunity to get away without scene with Jeanie. will you be hurt if I ask you to get rid of my ticket some how or other and try to enjoy the show without me?''
 'Of course we'll be hurti'' replied Jeanie. We've ordered three tickets and the agent promised to have good ones So you're expected at the party and you mustn't refuse. How did you find Nea1?''
 For moment was on the verge of pretending that I'd seen Neal in order to avoid a discussion of my dis agreement with Phoebe Then I saw how to use the situation to greater I must have this evening alone to pack and to get myself es- tablished somewhere for the night. I'd promised Phoebe, and I found myself now as anxious as she that my prom fse be kept.
 ''I was delayed. I didn't see Neal" I explained. "WiH you send Lyons back after he's taken you to the thea Ire? I'll postpone the hot bath, for an hour or so, on NeaPs account And you won't blame me if I give up the theatre. too?"