The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-03-08
(Continued.1

AO"' e1AA0 AAO fA14OW IIIctL 11S 111d OOSA- cherishing a delusion. Wall Street consisted of cold, hard facts, of sIl- yer dollars and copper cents and much beautifully litographed papers which were held by their possessors in an iron grip. But again and aga in dreams of vast fortunes acquired in some vague, indefinite way surged lip before him. He would work and a dapt himself to Elkins. He would become man of method and not merely a man of expedients. And when this great dim fortune was finally acquired, there was but one use to which it could be applied
 And then his thoughts returned to Edith, and his mood became 8 sort ming was on her account. But what if it was of no avail? It must be. They were such wonderful friends They enjoyed each other so much every minute. Did she really enjoy him, he wondered. If not, why did she come to the park?
 Again and again he trod this men tai circle, varied by silent rhapsodies over the wonder of her presence. Was she moved at times, as he was, by the marvel communion? Is so, she had certainly never shown it. But did he reveal his feelings himself :? If not, would he ever dare do so@ Did she know how much it all meant to him? Foolish Chester, of course she knew, but he was tortured with delightful doubts, tantalized by tre- mors of hope, depressed by over whelming fear. In woEd he was suffering the exquisite Tantalus of a man in love, who has not dared de- clare himself.
 The thing that he feared most to contemplate was how soon the pres ent situation must end. At the con- clusion of this golden week he would be back in the office again, the wealth CT would be dark and lowering, all would like the perfume of a beauti- full flower, sweeter and ever yet more sweet until they blossomed into tho hours with her. Once he had taken the initial plunge, it never occurred
  these daily meetings. Were they not little children together? So thorough ly did he throw himself into the part that to question the conventionaI1cy of it would have seemed an absurd ity. They discussed every half re detail of the incident "of which the hippopoatmus reminded o-a rooonS%rno+od if their talks until they thoroughly believed their modern version. She was miniature Joan of Arc, and he was a veritable infant Paladin. One o1 the joys of such situation is the infinite seriousness of it. Nothing they did or said seemed in the least a bsurd to them. It was all real, v1t- al, important.
 Saturday morning came. They had told each other lots of stories." and the moment for parting was at hand
 "You know I won't be here Mon day." said Chester with an effort.
 'eWhy not?'' she asked. just to see if he would make the proper answer.
 '.I have to go back to school" he said.
 That was the proper answer.
 sewhen shall see you again?'' she asked. "I hardly dare come here Sunday
 t.I don't know" he replied, unless your papa will let me come and sec you"
 My papa doesn't like to have little coll on
 eff there is anything in the world that can ever do to win his faith and regard" said Chester, God knows that I will do it.''
 That's too grown up,'' objected Edith hastily.
 ..so it is,'' admitted Chester. e'But there are times when I feel much older than I really am. Do you think [ shall ever see you again?"
 .'Yes," said Edith, 'T know you wills
 Chester awoke the following morn ing to find New York in the throcs of a blizzard. A great silence had fallen upon the city, and all the my riad sounds of the streets were hush ed by the heavy carpet of snow. The warning of the steamboat whistles and wailing of the sirens on the two ,rowded rivers was obscured by the thick white intervening blanket, and the roaring of the wind about the roof-tops was all that was audible.
 'Aa-ah-ah,' yawned Chester, as he tumbled out of bed, 'This silence sounds like Chinatown on a sum mers night Instead of the thou sand insistent boot-heels of all other parts of the city, there is nothing but the strange silent shuffle-shuff1e- shuffle of their felt shod slippers, and the single big po1iceman's foot !iIaranIao-