The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-06-08
(Continued.l.

| of it. It's-'' her flush of pleasure | yielding momentarily to a look of trou-
 bled query-"Its perfectly-honest. of courSe?''
 Its business" he replied. 1 That's the same thing, I suppose"
 she said much relieved. And you're | rich7''
 "A million anyway. And you'll" | Both turned at the wonder-inspired. | sulphurous monosyllable. Desiree | jerked the curtain aside, revealing
 stocky small boy, very red of face | He was clutching a blue bath robe | about him and had no apparent aim in life save to escape from the situa- ton into which his involuntary exple- tive had betrayed him.
 "Now don't go callin' me down. | Dey," he pleaded. T just happened
 to be going past-I was on the way to I was-an' I heard MT. Conover say
 about havin' a million. An'-an'[I spoke without thinkin'.''
 He had been edging toward the
 stair-foot as he spoke. Now, finding Il the lower step behind him, he fled up | ward on pattering desperate feet.
 Poor Billy" laughed Desiree. He's
 an awfully good little chap. But he will listen I can't break him of it.'' 1 Maybe I could," hazarded Conover.
 You'd break his neck and his heart | at the same time. Leave him to me. | Nothing but kindness does any good
 where he is concerned"
 "Ever try a bale-stick?" suggested l Caleb.
 "That will dol" she reproved. "Now, I want to hear more about Steeloid. Poor MT. Blacarda! It's pretty hagor- | ous for him, isn't it ?''
 eff hagorous' means he's got it in | the neck. 1t is"
 | 'Hagorous'," explained Desiree, loftily, means anything horrid. l know, because made it up. It's such
 a comfort to make up words. Be-
 meanings as you go along. It saves
 it?" " '
 "No,'' said Conover. apologetically. could though, if it'd make a hit with you. But you. were talkin about Bla-
 carda. You ain't wastin' sympathy on | him, are you?'
 worst or It. But
 But no sorrier for Blacarda than you would be for anybody else?" l -"Of course not. Why?' l 'sHe comes here a lot. Twice I've met him here- Is he stuck on you?" | "I think he is-'
 l 'I guess most people are." sighed | Caleb. q don't blame him; so long as you don't care about him. You don't. do your" he finished anxiously.
 Hes very handsome" she observed | demurely.
 "well-pretty handsome" '1s he?"
 'Fe's-Ive heard girls say so."
 'Hm! Nice crimson lips. red cheeks, oily curled hair and eyes like a couple of ginger snaps!" No" corrected Desiree. judicially. More like chocolate pies There's something very sweet and melting about them. And, besides, you mustn't l run him down. He's very nice to me- Last night he asked me to marry him. What do you think of that? Honest ly, he did,
 '"The measly he-do1l! I wish I'd 1 broke him a. year ago instead of wait ing for the Steeloid scrap. What'd you say when he asked your" Your face gets such a curious shade of magenta when you are angry, Ca leb,' unused Desiree, observing him critically. her head on one side. "But | it> doesn't match your hair a little bit. Yes, did mean it. too, but I'm sorry. told him couldn't marry him, of course"
 Good work.,, approved Caleb. "He-he asked if I'd try and look on him as a brother-'a dear brother and-' She broke off with reminiscent laugh. well. what did you say?'' 'I'm afraid I was little rude But did not mean to be. I'd heard smothered giggle from over in the had any use for brother-a dear brother,-I could reach right behind the divan and get one. He stalked ever to the divan. And sure enough 1 there. behind the cushions. was Billy, | all wudged up in a little heap. He"
 ''All-what?' asked the perplexed Conover, pausing in the midst of Homeric euffaw
 .' wudged.' All wudged up-like this-' ,clumbled her ten fingers into a | white, compact little bunch. MT. Bla- carda was very angry He went away"
 She joined for an instant in Con- overs laughter; then checked herself with a stamp of her foot.
 "Stop," she ordered. 'Tm a little | beast to behave so. He-eared for me- He asked me to marry him. There | ought to be something sacred in all that. And here I am making fun of make me more ashamed"
 Caleb in huge delight "Poor pink and white Blacarda! You were"
 q wasn't! I ought to be whipped for telling you. But-but somehow. I seem to tell you everything. Honestly, I wouldn't tell anyone else. Honestly! You know that, dor't you?'
 1T know you're the whitest. bright est jol.iest kid that ever happened" returned Conover. but you needn't bother about Blacarda- won't tell. Now I've got to get out"
 Aren't you going to take me, for walk or drive or anything? It's such a gorgeous day, and it's so early. AL most as early as it ever gets to be-"
 "I can't worse luckT' said he. five got a measly appointment at the Arareek. And besides-say, little girl, I don't know about walking or driving with you any more.
 "Calebi''
 Listen. till I explain. Now that Mrs. Hawarden's took such fancy to you an took you up an chap'roned you to places where I'd be chased out with brOOsn-an' all that-well. you . get invited to big folks houses. That's how you met Blacarda. wasn't it? He travels with the gold-silirt crowd. Now that crowd don't care about me. They will. some day. But they don't yet An if you're seen around with a rank outsider like me-itll-It may