The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-04-12
SECTION
When A Girl M0rries
By ANN LESLIE.

Tom did me a great service re- gently, Evvy, as you know. The way
 he stood by in the Slum-Darrow case
 puts us on a basis of very sincere friendship. I'll be glad to see him
 tonight
 EvVy' face lighted up at my words.
 ''Of course, you darling goose,' she tilted. Then changed to a sober: I'm delighted to hear that. I was almost as much worried over your attitude
 toward my asking him here at the
 same time I have you as I was over
 your giving me the help I need. Toms
 worried about something distrait
 and in one of his restless, dangerous
 moods. I wish he had the real friend
 ship of a woman like you, Anne. Not
 spasm modic and occasional-b real!
 He needs something worth while in
 his life. It's so cIuttered up with junk. As bad as mine.''
 She laughed lightly she spoke, but sensed an undercurrent of great seriousness. I felt sure that EvVy had some deeper purpose in the days
 arrangements than she had chosen to tell me. But I didn't question her and her sincerity-then.
 The rest of our picnic day was at- tuned to holidaying and to nature in
 her frisky green and blue and gold mood. We were both flushed and udppy ana "lnu-IOSSeu when we drove up to the side porch late in the l afternoon. As we climbed the steps, a voice hailed us from the sun parlor l and there was Tom Mason visiting
 with Evvy's coIorless and altogether nond escript parents.
 Hello, you two!' he cried. You 1 look like a couple of dryads or wood nynphs of what-do-you-cau ems. Donna Anna suggests a, noble F1oren-
 tine lady who has condescended to froEc lightly for the nonce. But what astonishes me is to see our Evvy so blooming as fresh as a daisy!" Tom winced at his own words, and | a cynical smile twisted it's way across | his already bitter lips. There was | a sudden hitch in his smooth phrases. | He was fault1essly groomed as usual | but the look of steely alertness under his big and almost feline gentleness was blurred somehow. Generally he
 seems like a thoroughbred on a tight l oh eckrein. Now he appeared more | like a pIodding animal with his head dragging low. Both he and EVvy
 gave me a half-elusive impression of
 having big things in reserve. Being on picnic with Anne and | forgetting myself did me a lot of | good,' cried Evvy losing no time, but 1 opening the attack at once. "It made l
 if only I were happy or occupied-or something like that, Anne was say 1 ing she thought a change would do
 me so much good"
 | q wish I knew someone to chaper- | one Evelyn on a trip since she's so | set on one" whimpered her mother. | But ain't well enough to look after l her and there's no one I know''-- "Oh, Joking after!' cried Evvy. her eyes beseeching mine." I need in- l dependence. Anne finds that the best l tonic-being on your own, I mean. | And she jumped at the idea of my | taking a trip. In fact, I got her to | say she'd take my little roadster out | and give it exercise while I'm gone | I'll tell you what to do, Anne. While | Pm reading to mother and father ar- | I always do at this time of the day, 1 you take Tom out for a spin in the | car-just to see if you've still got | your hand in as a. chaufette." I was taken off my guard by the | way Evvy was making up things as | she went long. I turned to Tom. He was bending forward, a quizzical | smile lighting his eyes, his lips twist | ing a bit. He seemed to be challeng- l ing me to refuse.
 Gro Be Continued)