The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-06-22

print column, how an oyster calmly glozes over the grain of irritating sand that has found unwelcome refuge with ;n it's shell. He felt humiliatinglv like the nucleus of such pearl. And with the thought and the waning of the wines effects, came wholesome anger.
 ''I've got more cash than the whole crowd of 'em. put together. he told himself fiercely.
 The reflection did much to build up his wobbling se1f-esteen. But. for the rest of the meal. he sat glum. After an endless. dreary aeon of time. Mrs. Standish's eyeglasses flashed to the others of her sex the signal to retire. Everyone rose. The women, collecting from the men beside them the hand kerchiefs. fans and other feminine ac- cessories that strewed the floor under the table. filed out. chatting and laugh ing. Caleb. not minded to seem in ferior to any man by hanging back and giving precedence to others. left the room at the heels of the last wOm- an.
 "Oh. Conoverw called Caine. as the Fighters shoulders vanished through the doorway.
 about Steeloid Preferred. if you don't mind." continued Amzi.
 A backward look told Conover that the men were re-seating themselves.
 
 tors summons At that moment Caleb came nearer feeling gratitude toward Caine that ever he had felt it for any man. He slouched back. un- concernedly: lighted a cigar. shook out his match and dropped into the va cated chair at Gaines left. Mentally he resolved to tear the etiquette book leaf from leaf. for failing to warn him room. But. with characteristic calm. he refused to be ruff1ed by the mis- take.
 What was it you wanted to ask me?" said he.
 About Steeloid." repeated Caine. "and about a rumor heard that the Rogers Whitman Company is-'
 Don't let us talk business growl- ed Conover. T never talk shop when I'm out in s'ciety. It's bad form. I'd rather chat just now bout music.''
 He was himself again: loudly self assured.
 ''This fe11er. Back. they were speak in about at dinner tonight" he went on. 'Tm kind O. rusty on op'ras. late ly. So I've lost track of him. Is he composin' much nowadays?"
 Each has been de-composing for couple of centuries" answered Caine. waxed glum once more. Nor could the combined tact of Caine and their host draw him again into speech.
 The Fighter, glOwering in a corner, watched the stream of musicale guests trickle in through the great double doors. He was lonely. cross, disap- pointed. He could not define his own sensations. nor see how nor wherein he had failed. Failure he had met He knew that. But the knowledge made him the more determined to per sist in his assault until the social cita del whose outworks he had stormed, should be his. And. the more he thought. the more his amorphous idea of entering that citadel under a wife S aegis began to take definite shape. He found bis gaze straying to where Lefty with a knot of newcomers. Once his eye caught hers. and she smiled. A polite. deprecatory smile that strength ened Caleb's growing resolution. After all he reflected, one might do worse than to marry.
 An indefinab1e something swept across his busi1y-planning mind. like | a breath of May through a s1um. Even before he raised his eyes eagerly to the | door. he knew that Desiree Shevlin had come into the room. Slender. dainty. infinitely pretty. in her soft white | dress. the sight of her struck athwart Caleb's senses. scattering to the winds | every thought but delight at seeing | her,-pride in the way she bore herself | the people in whose presence he felt so i'll at ease.
 And che had seen him. Seen him | and noted his discontinue. his alone ness: even while she was responding to her hosts welcome. As Socn as she .ouId leave Mrs. Hawarden's side. she moved toward him. As he advanced to meet her. the 1abored grin of festivity Caleb had sought to wreatie lis features for her benefit. gave way 10 a boyish glow of pleasure.
 Gee, but you're dandy to look at n those clo'es. Dey'' he exclaimed. There ain't a one in the room who's ! patch on you"
 She smiled up at him in frank joy nnf inc | nore keenly into his face. she mur- nured, her pretty brows knit:
 You poor. poor boy! You've been having a horrid. hagorous time! What nave they been doing to you?"
 In her voice was vehement. moth .rly note: as of indignation against the accorded a loved. de1ci- mt child. Caleb felt it and it was as ,alm to his scratched sensibilities. But ,e laughed loudly as he made shift to 'eply:
 what a crazy notion! They treated ne fine an I've had an out O. sight ime. Honest. I-''
 "Caleb"'
 ''They made me quite one of 'em." e bragged. the mere earnestly for her ,nbelief. CT haven't Tad such a. good irne in a couple O years. T."
 "Caleb Conover! Look me in the yes"
 "Jt was rotten." he admitted rue- ully: his defense. as ever. breaking to ,ieceS before the onslaught of her weet imperiouSnesS.
 'T knew itp' she made answer; but here was no triumph in her words. I knew how it would be. Oh. if only could have been here to take care of C u. you poor lamb among social 1ionSi listen to me! You're not to stir from ny side all evening. Understand? Now hind me! I am going Co see that mo- ,ody is wooZey to you or lets you tand all frumped up alone in corner ny more."
 An spoil your own good time?" norted Caleb. ''Not muchi You chase n am get talked to an made much f. you little grill An I'll get all the | un want. watchin' the hit you make. hats no lie.'' 'I'd rather be with you if you don't 1ird." she insisted. Were chums. rent we? Well. then. mind me and