The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-11-21
When A Girl
 Marrie5
By ANNE LISEE

But I contented myself by asking for sapdwich and some coffee as soon as Frank could get them for me. And then I lost myself in work again, reaching out mechanically for my lunch when it was put next to me. I was figuring with one hand and waving the coffee cup absent-nindedly toward my mouth when an apologetic cough brought me back with a start.
 "Hullo, m 'dear'' Whee!zed Dad Lee.
 l jumped to my feet-my hopes running high. My face must have betrayed me, for a wave of disap- pointment engulfed me when I saw he was alone.
 "Doin purity good, aint'- you?" he asked joyially. Office boy tried to stop me, but I shoves him out O. the way. And I see a coupIa desks in working order out there in the main paddock. Got some likely fillies in your stabIe?''
 I'm doing well enough" I said Hfe1essly. Where is-I mean-are you alone?"
 Did you think that spry young Lacy feller would come along? Are you disappointed ?'' he asked with a jocoseness that was clearly forced.
 Where's Dick West?" I asked abruptly. 'It was of him spoke and you know it.''
  wheedled placatingIy, yet with a strange undercurrent of tenseness and feeling. Wont your old dad do?"
 ''You promised I could see Dick You said you'd arrange it," I pro- tested.
 'I know-I know. Be patient with the old man. Don't push me too hard, mdear. I can't work-mira- cles''
 He paused before the last word and seemed to gather himself to go on But I cut in ruthIessly.
 "I wonder if you'll ever be on the level with me-ever make good"
 ''Why do you expect so much from me?' he wihimpered. rubbing his palms toether with a dry scrapfng sound. "Where's that husband of yours-now?
 I whirIed on him.
 'tSo you knew where he was once! So you did spy. It was you who opened the Ietter-Jim sent mel
 Dad Lee looked at me duly. His eyes had gaze and lack of focus that seemed old and spent. tI'm the old man" he whined sTm most all in--what with your city ways and all. I don't hardly seem able to make the weight any more" ''P1ay fairI'' I cried. 'Tve grown mighty fond of you,  ousnesss beyond all keeping with his moment. 'eWhy not?' I demanded ''Eh-why not?" "Pm your daughter, am I not 2" | Shot at him "Of course-or course. But there's | things a man owes a friend-things l man owes. I got to learning at | the tracks that you can't pull a race | when it's most run and most won"
 'Blood is thicker than water" | insisted tritely, but with purpose. Mot always murmured Dad Lee, | starting nervously and staring around | the office. You got friends. Don't | they do all sorts of things for you take 7tr3ps-SOuth and meet up with l folks they hadn't ought to know and 1 all? There's things girls hadn't ought to do. That Mason girl ought to leave | some of her-queer acquaintances be. Friends ain't got no right to mix in-'' "Yet ! you-miX in, for-your friends I insisted.
 And your friends for you,'' he chuckled. "But ou and I ought to chuckled .'But you and I ought to be on good terms, for we both a-doin' what we thinks right. You're doin' for him as you love. And you can't blame me for acting similar. You don't love me like"
 'As- Dick does?" prompted, bouncing on him with the words. Their effect astonished me. Dad Lee crumpled down in his chair and stared at me with something terror stricken and hunted in his little weasel face. I found myself pitying him without knowing why.
 To Be Continued. W0MEN nFhAAND