The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-03-09

i which surround the reservoir. The sparkle of the frozen crystals recalled 1 the sparkle of Ediths eyes. The whispering of the sparse brown leaves | suggested the cadence of her whis- pered fear. The clean, crisp crackIe | of the snow beneath his feet sug- gested again the coruscation of her i radiant personality. And all the rich 1 joy of outdoors, the lungilling ozone the strengthening winds to battle, the l snap of the cold his ruddy cheeks l stirred within him the memory of the cool sweetness of her lips. It was cold and tired Chester who arrived at the Stockton at the fall of night. But nothing could du1. the inward glow of that rare f1eeting instant during which his lips Ina d l touched her own. It was the mere inf1initesimaf fraction of a second, but period long as all time and eternity for the permanent sensation which it left. Chester fell asleep that evening, planning two interviews. The first was to be with Perry Langham, and the mystery of the five thousand dol lars was to be entirely cleared 1p The second one, dependent upon the results of the first, was to be with Richard Twining, and was to gain him free access to Edith's presence. Chester slept long that night anc sound7y.
 Chester swung radiant1y into tha office.
 Good morning, Monsieur Riche- pin," he cried joyously. Good morning, Miss Foster. Is MT. Elkins here yet?''
 'tNot yet,' replied Miss Foster.
 Good morning." said Richepin. 'eI hear that you have not been we'll. trust that you are better.
 Fit as a fiddle" declared Chester stoutly. t'I took the hippopotamic cure"
 t'The?"
 'It's 8 sort of horse" e1ucidated Chester.
 'Ah, a horse is a joke, is it not?"
 ''Not in this case,'' answered Ches- ter. "It's an aquatic animal
 
 clared Richepin sadly, ''I aspired to conquer the English language, even including the slang, but now I per- ceive that it was futile ambition
 Has MT. Langham been down 9 asked Chester.
 l ''No," said Miss Foster, "he doesn't come down very often, but here is MT. E1kins''
 Elkins nodded to Chester, a trifle curtly the latter thought, but the memory of his golden week had so eJated him that he followed his em- p1oyer into the inner office without misgivings.
 'Mr. Goldsmith told me-" he began, f'that you would have work for me to do in his absence. I am quite myself again, and eager to begin.''
 <EI shall be glad to give you con- tinued ,empIoyment,'' said Elkins dry ly, eff you can answer a few ques. tions satisfactorily
 What do you?''
 t'I want to know what your quar- rel is with MT. Langham.''
 tHas he told you about it?'
 f'I prefer not to say"
 tfWho did then?'
 E'I prefer not to state the source of my information.''
 'Langham must have told some enc in order to have it get to you"
 Possibly replied Elkins.
 ''I did not think he would do that said Chester. 'tI should regard it as a great favor if you would tell me how it came to your ears.''
 ''L am not here to answer ques tions, but to ask them.''
 It took some effort on Chester's part to control his rising temper
 ''The matter is a private difference between MT. Langham and myself" the said.
 Tt appears to have involved others of our customers
 'fWho .1se?'
 -tMr. Richepin does not seem to hold you in high esteem''
 Surely that requires no exp1ana i tion"
 ''Mr. Twining also appears to lack 
 Chester smothered back an oath.
 'Mr. Elkins.'' he said, ~'I have al- ready told you that this is a priva te matter between MT. Langham and myself
 You must remember,'' said Elk ins, Hthat MT. Langham was your sole sponsor when you came to us''
 ''Ias my work proved unsatisfac- tory?''
 I should describe is as brilliant but cratic. However, this is not a ] question of ability but of relfa bility What have VOL to sav2n