The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-02-26
(Continued.l CHAPTER XII.
\ Visit to the Twinines


 Chester followed him in silence marvelling at man who would dt so much for his friend and become st infuriated at being thanked; and hal graspirg Perry's attitude of mind iI his royal disinclination to impede hi rival In any way except in the fai1 der the same circumstances he would act in a similar manner, and faile: to convince himself that he would Then he flushed and grew hot again at the humiliation of his position where Perry could do all the favor. and he. none. He suddenly forgo the subject entirely, for the door hat opened, and Edith Twining stood be, fore him, daintily regal in her sof grey evening gown, and her father was uttering words of welcome.
 And this, too is Perry's doing,' was Chester's last reflection before he turned to greet his host.
 They seated themselves in the soft. ly lit parlor which seemed to Chester to have gained even more of the girls individuality in the few days she had been there. The lights were shaded in a way never dreamed of by the American firm of decorators who had left them glaring and undraped, and the chairs in the corner to whicf, they naturally betook themselves were placed together in cozy intimate fashion which they had never known before. There were ash-trays on the Chippendale table, where the stream furnished holder, but they looked as if they had been placed there by a woman for a man whose comfort she had at heart. Even the masculine attributes of the ensemble betrayed a woman's touch and thoughtfulness.
 Chester found himself next to Edith, and Perry had plunged into conversation with MT. Twining. "I trust,'' said Chester to his los tess, that you were not irretrievably shocked by the bald account of my silly doings that I indulged in the other night. The whole succession of events was so unusual, and you were so kind that I had it very much at heart not to sail under false colors' P
 "It is good of you to say that ! was kind.'' said Edith graciously.
 tI fear that it is merely charity on your part. I didn't know precisely what to say.''
 ''Then my charity has nearly cost me my life," replied Chester. '1 jubilated over the fact that you un- derstood to such an extent that Mir Langham threatened to throw me out of the window. You really don'' know how much good it did me te have you say that
 "I didn't know that MT. Langhan was so ferocious," laughed the girl ''is he given to such violent methods of quieting his friends?''
 'It was merely a relic of college barbarism. But you must not r1is. understand that either,'' added Ches men in the whole world. It sounds mawkish and like a Bowery melo. drama to apply the word noble te chap nowadays, but if it ever could be fittingly applied it would certainly be to him.
 "You seem to be very ardent ad. Inirer of MT. Langham."
 "I am,'' declared Chester resoiute. ly.
 Edith looked inquiringly over al Ferry's erect and graceful figure as he sat talking to her father.
 'I sometimes think" she answerei pensively, that men make bette, friends than women. But I never heard one man talk of another in just the way you speak of MT. Lang. ham,
 s'There are few men in the world like him. said Chester, ''but never betray me. He would be quick to re- sent the imputation that he is any thing but an extremely ordinary be- ing''
 s'I like MT. Langham immensely, . said Edith, '.and I wish that he kncv it, but I have always felt the same sort of hesitation that you express al ever saying anything of the kind.''
 seI think" said Chester with a gulp 9sthat he would accept it from you Don't think me rude,'' he imploreJ hastily. ''But you are so different from anyone else"
 "Am I?" asked Edith. 'I wasn'l aware of it. But how serious we are becoming. Now you struck me a: the most original man I have ever met. Of course I am not out yet; she added with charming ingenious. ness.
 ''Let us hope" said Chester light ly, flor the good of the community that there are not many more just like me-"
 He arose to replace his coffee cur before she had replied, and, by tacit