The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-12-29

"But I caiit help it."
 "You help telling me. How-how do you e1pecr to believe ill you-now!
 "Oh thunder Marjorie! Why, that was ages ago; DO you think youth is an excuse?"
 'well, then, how about you and-and old Stan nard?
 ssOh but that was different You see. was girl" She was; there could be doubt about that. held my tongue. And" continued Marjorie, "you wanted this woman to marry you"
 II didn't know what wanted"
 And she?'
 NO more did she. The proof that she didn't know what she wanted is the fact that she rather thought she wanted Dullpuddle."
 But how can ever be suref'
 Because I tell you If anyone ought to know it should be I. Be reasonable, Marjorie say I didn't love her, and was eyewitness and ought Now, you would suppose that would convince any body But not Marjorie On no t She lust 5ust trneS f woong. Presently she looked up, her blue eyes full of reproach:
 "Oh Tom why did you insist on telling me this:" What do you think of it: Wasn't it enough to jolt the halo off the patron saint of patience? Even ] her sex which forever believes what it wants to be- lieye and never wants to believe itself wrong Anu so answered:
 "why did I insist on telling you. Marjorie? Be cause don't want to have any secrets however inno- cent. from you"
 me before?'
 'Oh come ;" said T. .You packed off too quickly to Stannards and before that we weren't really cf- gagged. you know. Are engaged now?'
 "Oh, Of course, there are few formalites, but az ':As matter of fact" said Marjorie. drawing her self up to tho full top Of dignity. there has bce another formaIity which you have forgotten to men. tior I sDeak of my consent r .
 But, Marjorie began-aEd ten stolrcd. What in the world there to doE When a woman si3 offended wifi your actions ycu will oliy make her angry by attelnDt.g expianation. and if yo1 don't explain she'll think satisfactc-y explanation ;; impossible.
 If you have anyhi:.s to say eo.aaa.ea l. Mag Mar and leave by the first train ia iie morli:ig.
 You're not going away
 "I am. under tho impression that Lad ex- plicitIy told you So before you began yon---ycur shameful confession Oh she tremendously digniGed. had no iiei she could seem tail inasterei 1T ;,y resources for great effort Marjorie. TO dnu,t sceing tho battle geam in my retreatcd to tlc doorway but relentlessy followed.
 "A1arjorie,' said l. as calmly as co;,iJ you satd you wanted me to Dc your knight----
 T said I wanted somebody to be-
 You said you wanted wear you colors next my heart; you said you wanted to go forth what's name, and ride away. and--and-and all that sort of thing. And did it. By love. did it without protest! set forth went to stannard's. "In other words said Marjorie. "you ran yo1r auto for twenty minutes
 q did all that you had asked me 10 do."
 Marjorie sniTed. Sine sniffs adorably. Few woiEen 1T did all this" pursued, snapping my fingers at the sniff, "and when back not only eveii thanked but am hauled the coals for filtration which, if it ever occurred at all, occurred five years ago."
 You said three at frst' corrected Marjorie.
 ''To all intents and purposes l protested. "ii might have been ten' . "AIl right; accept the amendment At all events I confessed like man, and now you throw Ire down"
 "That implies that you were once up Tommie"
 looked at her hard. Deep, deep down in the violet eyes I caught the faintest flicker of haIfdoubns smile Then her mouth twitched But at that loot
  not used to 1t is being made game of by n womah I gripped her straight shoulders shook her.
 "Marioriew I cried, you've driven me too fnr! You got started going back--I didn't want to go and it's nobody's fault but your own, lou got me 6a sa e sop Nd dn@ % m I a wen men took what they wanted--and wdnt yo1"
 stopped for breath. TO tell the truth wns MaSe p{ Mas ny Ma ] but there could be doubt about it--io shadow of uncertainty; she was tickled to death. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes sione and for the first time since tore cats paw from her childish pinafore, the light of real admiration for me in her face She flung her arms about my neck. You dear old boy. she cried. Do you really nedn It.? T
 It must have been louder than it sounded to me- for just as my arms went about her it brought merry old Father Dividends pufhng into the hallway
 "Why, why whyw he clustered and then, as he doing the Young Love in the living picture stunt tine step Good heavens daughter, what art you taking about?'
 But Marjorie looked up smiling. "rm not tnkine on at all, papa" she answered. "Its Tom who has taken me on, haven't you, Tommie:'
 It had all come rather quick at the end but man. aged hold it. once it was in init. That's right said l. turning to the Check Book, but keeping < iehod the girl
 "Mr. Rardolph?" asked Father. souinting, now I Heavens name do ycn expect to live?"
 Well we haven't thought if all out yet" answered cheerfuly. "but calculate to begin by selling you little block of my stock in the Arizona and Montan Lend Investment and Bonanza Farm Corporation" coovrtgh 1s1o by uetronolitcm Ncesp"ner EvsascStA