The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-06-21
| hostess and dis

:, 1909
 gized to his present hostess and dis missed the theme.
 When dinner was at seven. why shouldn't people come on time? Was there a joke in it somewhere? joke himself? Anything. just now seemed possible. What was the use of smoking this measly cigarette when there was no one to see? He dropped it into a bronze dish, went over to the cheval glass and surveyed himself from head to foot. Then he turned: and. looking over one shoulder. sought to see how his dress coat fitted in the back. The twisting of his body caused a huge central wrinkle to spring out between his shoulders. wrinkles diverg- ing from it. Also there was a spear of stiff red hair in the very center of his well-brushed head that had escaped from the combined lures of pomade and water. Conover crossed to the chiffonier, picked up one of pair Of military brushed and attached the re- bellious lock with Vigor.
 There was no water in sight. How did these people expect a man to brush his hair without water? No pomade- either. Not even brilliantine. Could it be that folk of the Standish class did not use such acids? Or did they keep them locked up? Caleb's eyes swept the room and it's quiet furnish ings appratsingly. It did not represent at all his idea of luxury. Not a bow not a tidy. not fancy screen nor a lambreQuin in sight. Yet there was an indefinable something about the place that met his approval. He fell to walk ing back and forth. uneasily: pausing every now and then in front of the chevaI glass.
 Amzi Caine. who had come early in the futile hopes of a word alone with Lefty before the dinner. found him thus employed Conover swung around on his friend with a zrunt of relief.
 "Hello!" he said. his heavy voice actually cordial. "I begun to think it was Judgment Day an that was the first one resurrected. How'd I look? All right? Nothini' wrong in this get up is there?"
 ''The glass of fashion and the mould of forr!' laughed Caine. Behold a and SteeIoids-designs to ask a mere mortaPs opinionv 1gs
 Iieved. Say" he went on suspicious wrong. Be honest. can't you2''
 "If you insist" replied Caine. nettled at the domineering tone. T can't just hint that most men don't wear dia- that your tie is rather too evidently a masterpiece not made by hands, Oth- erwise. you look very fit indeed"
 Caleb scowled in the glass at the lawn tie. Then. brushing away the gnat of worry. he answered. carelessly:
 "I don't like to dress like everybody else. Too much sameness for me. It's well enough for fellers without an idee or a scrap of originality in their heads. I like to do a little different"
 "A Beau Rrummell come to Judg- menty' mocked Caine. "But with dia- monds rising in price ten per cent. a year. hope you won't set the fashion just yet. You'll break us. It's all very we'll to dress regardless of expense or style-but-''
 T.of ern af hat su1lenly. There's something else wanted to ask you about. first time I saw you alone. You told me one day that Desiree Shevlin could take any place she wanted. in s'ciety here. if only she married the right sort of a man. Remember"
 why. yes. But-'
 Well. would it work both ways? I mean. if I was to marry a girl who had a. big social position in Granite. would it help me on. any?"
 ''I- should think so.'' hesitated Caine overcoming a desire to laugh at the unique idea. ''Why? Are you think ing of it?''
 "Not exactly thinkin' of it. but turn in' it over in my mind. If was thinkin' about it I'd do it. That's my way"
 ssWho is the lucky damsel?" banter ed Caine, "Or haven't you selected her yet?''
 i've about picked her out" said Caleb slowly. Just now she's keepin' comp'ny with another man. & Of course you won't let that stand in your way for an instant?"
 'tNo." returned Caleb. on whom irony of any sort was ever lost. "Of course not. I have a way of gettin. what I want only wish.'' he continued with a. half sigh of weariness. that I could always keep on waitin' what I get"
 Give Standish ran into the room. From one of the servants he had heard of Gaines arrival
 "what fun to find you before you go down"' he cried. was afraid you wouldn't see me tonight and I knew you1 be disappointed. Aunt Lydia won't let me sit up for. the musicale because I was bad last evening. And she's made me learn a hymn called T Know That God is Wreth With Mer besides. The hymn is signed T. Watts II think I. Watts must have been very sorrowfu1 person. wonder if God really disliked him as much as I. Watts pretended. He-"
 The child checked himself. catching sight of Caleb. 'I beg your pardon he said. 'I didn't see there was any one here besides MT. Caine. MT. Caine." he explained. condescendingly ''is a friend of mine."
 ''Go on with your gabfest together. then" vouchsafed Caleb, with an effort at unbending. Don't mind me-
 The boys brows contracted at sound of the false note in Caleb's voice. He looked at the Fighter long and with ity with visible discomfort. He was not fond of children and did not under | stand them. Having had no childhood himself he could nowhere meet them on equal terms. Yet. as this slender, 1 Eton-suited youngster was apparently | a relative of Letty's and member of the same household. he sought to inn l prove the acquaintance. CT kEew a little rat about your aKe." he began. with elephantine geniality | his names Billy Shevlin. Smart boy l too. Sharp as whip. Ever meet | him?"
 'No. sir" replied Give. tI think | not.''
 <To be Contfuued1