The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-05-03
0ontinued.l

Schuyler can never find you home SO comfortable and attractive in ev- cry way
 'I don't care. I want to go far s=ay from Mapleton to live. We're rerng to travel for year, any way, Dur when we do settle down, it will be abroad, hope"
 s"You surprise me, Schuyler didn't tell ne this. We've been chums so long, that usually know of his plans. But, of course. getting married changes all that"
 You're a very intimate friend of MT Carleton's, aren't you?" said Madeleine, with strange note of wistfulness in her words.
 .sYes, I am. Why?"
 "Oh, nothing; I only thought mean, do you think Bob Fessenden was thrilled by the plaintive expression on the beautiful face, and suddenly felt great de- sire to help this girl, who was seem ingly so far above and beyond all need of help, and yet was surely about to ask his aid, or at least his sympathy.
 Don't hesitate,' he said gently; sswhat is it, Miss Van Norman2 l want to be as firm a friend Of yours rs I am of Schuyler's. so please say V hat you wish to-"
 q can't-I can't" Meadeleine whis- re-ed, and her voice was almost moan
 Please" again urged Fessenden.
 DO you know Dorothy Burt?" Madeleine then broke out, as if the words were fairly forced from her.
 ssNo,' said Fessenden, amazed; T never heard the name before. Who is she?"
 Hush! She's nohody-less than nobody Don't mention her to me ever again--nor to any one else. An, here comes Miss Morton"
 As Fessenden watched Madeleine. she changed swiftly from a pe-turb- ed kouble girl, to courteous, pol kSed hostess.
 My dear Miss Norton" she said. advancing to meet her newest guest. How kind of you to come to me at this time"
 -.I didn't come exactly out of kind ness,- said Miss Morton, "but because desired to come. hope you are quite we'll. Will you give me some tea?"
 Miss Morton was tall angular lady with gray hair and sharp, black eyes. She seemed to bite off her words at the ends of her short sent ences, and had a brisk, alert manner that was, in a way aggressive.
 '.An eccentric" Rob Fessenden thought, as he looked at her, and wondered why she was there at all
 "An old sweetheart of MT. Richard Van Norman, I believe" said Kitty French. when he questioned her 'They were once engaged and then quarrelled and broke it off, and neither of them lived happily ever after"
 -As the Carletons will," said Fes- senden smiling.
 "Yes," said Kitty slowly, "as the Carletons will hope. You know Mir. Carleton awfully we'll, don't you Are yon sure he will make our Mad dy happy. MT. Fessenden?"
 'T think so''; and Fessenden tried to speak casually. 'rHe is not ar emotional man, or one greatly giver to sentiment. but I judge she is not that sort either''
 .-Oh, yes, she is, Maddy is appar- emily cold and cynical, but she ism really 90 a bit. But she perfectly adores him, and if they're not happy it won't be her fault
 Nor will it be his," said Fessender warmly defending his absent friend s-Carleton's an old trump. There's nc finer man in the world, and any woman ought to be happy with him
 I'm glad to hear you say that said Kitty, with little sigh of re. lief Do look at that funny Mis-. Mortoni She seems to be scoldins Madeleine. I'm sorry she came. She doesn't seem very attractive. Blu perhaps it's because she was crossed in love and it made her queer"
 -'Or she was queered in love ant it made her cross" laughed Fessen den- Well, I must go, now, ant look up Carleton. Poor old boy, h, was little niffed when he wen away
 After tea all the callers departed and those who were house guest weat to their rooms to dress for din ner
 Tom Willard with great show O buriesquA regret and fearful fare welis' west to the hotel, that Mis- Morton migHt have the room he hac been occupying. He promised 70 return for dime, and gaily blew kisses to Madeleine as with <her traps he was driven dowl the avenue
 At dinner. Schuyler Carieton's plac, vas vacant It had been arrange, next fo Madeleine's oba -,~ ee.