The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-05-20

Thanks, dear friend but haven't got to sne poi..1 yet where 1 need borrow. I have that necklace stu his room. could sell that pawn it, if the worst happened. But what we're talking. My house is fu-so full that I'm putting newcomer at table tonight G; There is no other place for "Yes," laughed the other. A beautiful! woman who came only o this aferne9n ena S Shes v TidowEa d M I'm you'll be glad to know her. Why here, The sentence was never finished for at that ment tall, distinguished looking entered the She was handsomely gowned and carried her The introduction was brie and the delighted Oliver, with an almost pompous demeanor proudly escorted Mrs. Seville to his little table
 He found the Detroit widow particularly delght- ful companion. After dinner he suggested to Mrs Seville that they sit in the drawing room together. favor His exit from the dining-room was as tri- uf1lphant his entrance had been. He forgot, in his joy, ehe bald spot the back of his head, which he was always sickeningiy CONSCIOUS of when They talked and talked-or, as Oliver long after re- n,embered, he talked and talked Mrs. Seville his voice rather than to her own The clock on the naantel chimed ten before Oliver knew 1t, and with ssa s a ere uR his % waiting for He jumped up so suddenly that Mrs. Seville What is the matter?" she asked It's the first night I've missed in years, except when he's been away"
 And who is Thomas that he is a companion more ~ ~ oe oo:5litt :5t Aa:1:r ' - - ~ - Then Oliver explained It took him long time to do so for he loved detail and the clock had sounded the ha1f-hour before he had finished By that time it was too late for checkers, and Oliver suggested little walk.
 They went out into the balmy night and Oliver, to his surprise and delight discovered that progressive the fine weather; and thither they went. He did something which had not occurred to him in years he slipped green mint with his charming vsavis, and, He told Mrs Seville, whose sympathetic attitude ap- day of his ambitions and secret drea And he told her, too, of Martha and Thomas, and of he left the roofgarden he had asked the widow to go with him of the musical comedies the follow ing evening. It still running at the Casino and she had never heard it..
 In the morning it came over him with shame that the engagement he had made would again preclude his game of checkers with Thomas and between the acts that evening he made con6dante of the widow.
 'When I'm not there all he'll do will be to play with his wifes diamond necklace He's regular baby, you know. Of course, l ought not to tell you this; but hes slightly out of his mind is poor Thomas, and I'm fooishly fond of him. and he of me: Mrs Seville it's queer that haven't missed the checkers these two eveningsP'
 He fambled only paasng when the curtain t., wen. of turning pretty compliment now and then
 rh ss to wss ead i5sT a~ pd a turned and looked at her as they entered the restau- ,ant Women had played d, such m a small part in his life;
 On the third day Oliver uptown to luncheon but ss sBy T ed get to %ps w in % countered him in the hall at the unusual hour of o'clock in the afternoon He wanted to see Mrs Seville, if only for few moments, and dinner-time such a tremendously long way off
 That night on his way home he bought some roses, and had them sent her. It would be wonderful to see her wear few of them at dnner-his flowers Ahl the years were falling from him. He even bought white carnation for himself. It would look well in
 He crept to his room and dressed without making Thomass ihs sshfesf s0no TOT ne was ashamed race He descended the stairs feeling remarkably satisfied with his appearance His step was buoyant, his eyes Mrs Alenby-carter. very white came out of Ia, closed the door
 Oliver" she whispered, "somettng awful has hap pened!"
 sWhat do you mean? Not Thomas?"
 NNo no! But Mrs. Seville has gone, without paying her bill and-oh I hate to tell you, Oliver I do fn- deed, for saw how interested you were in her everybody did and"
 "What is it? Go on" said Oliver.
 "Why she's stolen-the necdace-that dear old string of diamonds that I'd counted for energ- ency; and now my last hope of sending Thomas away has gone!'
 "You must be nadw Oliver cried. Why, Mrs. Seville was 1ady-anyone could see that There is some terrible mistake You must not jump at clusons
 "1' not It is only too true She did it this after < noon while I was away and Thomas was sleeping Other things missing, too She plain thief that's all. What fool to be deceived! She seemed so wel-brcd that took her in unhestatingly Oh, Oliver, isn't it awfuli"
 Hawkins stood speeches. before her. He could not believe what he had heard
 Marthas voice came to him. And now poor Thomas must stay in town and"
 "And you must take that loan from me and send him away; and you needn't pay me back, Martha -ever do you hear? Why it was all my fault, every bit of it I got beastly chummy with her, fool that I was"
 On his way down to the dining room Oliver saw z big box of lying table in the hail. addressed to Mrs. Seville. t1em and told of the maids to take them LID to Mrs Allenby Carter. With my compliments he said Then, in mirror he the white carnation in his b1ttonhole
 You're all kinds of fool, Oliver Hawkins,' he said to his reflection in the glass, "al kinds ot fool