The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-06-28

,, 1909
 noddine acknowledgement to the some what cold recognition of the other call CTS. I've been around two or three times But I'm goin' to keep on call tn' just the same. It's lonesome in town this summer. Lonesorrer, seems to me. than it ever was before. So I'm goin' to stroll round here kind of often if you'll let me-
 He had taken the place on the steps momentarily vacated by a youth who had been sitting by Lefty and who had risen when the girl introduced Con- over. Lefty, while she tried to mur- mur something gracious in reply to his remark, found herself looking at his shadowy form in abject terror. Even through the gloaming his light, alert eyes seemed to seize and hold her will. The hands she clasped nervousIy in her lap grew cold and damp. Her nose cruel darkness rendered of no avail.
 Been up to the Arareek lately?" he went on.
 MO. Yes-I-not very lately" she stammered.
 "Neither've T." he answered. "Too hot for the walk. When it gets cooler I'm goin' to try and get there ev'ry week. ought to go out more. I'm beginning to see that My s'ciety I've had to hustle so hard all my life I've never took time to have any fun. But things are shapin' themselves now like I was goin to have chance to look around me at least. Then hope I'll see more of you. Miss Standish,- good deal more,' he continued. low ering his voice to rumble that ex- c1uded the rest from the tete-a-tete.
 CT shall be very glad" faltered the poor girl
 "So'I l." he agreed. I'm not such a stoopid, nose-to-t the -grindstone feller as you may think, Miss Standish. I've been busy; that's all. Now that the cash IS runnin' in, Pm goin' to enjoy it; an try to do more in sciety than I've been able to, so far. single man don't get much show to rise in the social back yard; not without he has tricks. An I haven't any,-thank the Lord! But even if I can't get a lot of popularity for myself, why-maybe I can annex some of it in my wife's name"
 Your wifer' she interposed. a hope breaking through the pail of misery that was settling over her. /" didn't know you were"
 Married? I ain't. But hope to be before I'm so very much older. Ev'ry man ought to marry. Specially man to support wife, better'n any other feller you know. Don't you think I'd ought to get one?"
 The girls dry tongue refused its of
 
 loathed undertone of confidence.
 I've bout male up my mind on that point, Miss Standish. Am when I an the young lady I have in mind gets to be little better acquainted, I hope she'll agree with me-"
 r Suppose" grasped Lefty, for once fighting back the tears, Suppose the girl you picked out happened be in love with someone else? Or even, gasping again, at her own boldness, sauor, fcra> god ff, sornaOne a1Sao
 TT don't think. that'd worry me so very much,'' he said slowly. bending nearer to his shrinking hostess. I'm in the habit of takin' what want. could keep me from doin' it.. That sounds like brag. But it aint; as l hope I'll be able to show you some day.nl
 The advent of new guest alone saved her from fleeing panic-stricken to her room. But as step sounded on the walk below. she paused irresolute.
 Good eveningr said the late conner, Ifmping slightly as he mounted the , At his voice a murmur of surprise rippled from the others. Lefty went forward to welcome him.. S-
 'eWhy, MT. Blacarda!" she exclaim- ed T didn't even know you were out of the hospital. Pm so glad to see you again. You came to talk to Father, of course. I can't venture to hope we young people drew you here. I'll have him sent for," touching the door-bell. Hes in his study"
 As a. servant departed in search of Reuben Standish, she went on: strfv- ing by words to drown her du1f terror:
 You know everyone here think; Except perhaps-have you ever met Mir. Conover?"
 BIacarda halted midway in step forward, and stood uncertain, gaping. Caleb, however, was charmingly at his ease.
 Hello, Blacarda!" he said effusive1y. Hear you've been laid up Too bad! What was it that knocked you out?"
 Nothing that deserves mention from any honest man." retorted Blacarda, his voice trembling with rage and an irresistible fear.
 "As bad as that?" cried Conover with pleasant badfnage. Be careful to keep out of it's way in the future, then, son. These things that don't de- serve mention are sometimes apt to be dangerous. Specially when you get a second attack of 'em. Hey?''
 The words. blatantly meaningless to all save Caine and the man he ad- dressed. deprived Blacarda of speech. pulse to run away. The coarse 5ovia.l- ity of his conuueror seemed more fraught with menace than an open threat would have been. The situation was saved by the arrival of Reuben Standish. The banker after word of recognition to Blacarda, greeted Caleb with a warmth that sent ice to Letty's heart. Not knowing that her father, like Caine, was also gleaning in the Conover field (and with a profit that bade fair to rehabi1ftate the crumbling Standish fortune), the girl read in his cordiality only the news that another had fallen under the master sway of the Fighters will.
 In the confusion of several guests simultaneous departure Lefty found a chance to slip away to her own room. Nor did she reappear until the sound of a loud "Goodnightp' and the crunch
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