The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1911-04-22
(Continued.l

gain she could, and must accept 1t,
drawbacks and all. But you know,
Miles, if she were anybody that any
of US in the Club had ever heard of,
one might do something for her. 1t
is incredibly easy to get a passport If
she does, as you suppose, belong to
US. If she bore any kind of creden-
tails. doors would open to her, Dams
wife though she be. But nobody
knows who she is, nor where she
comes from. 1t is like a servant who
has no reference. There may be, and
occasionally there is, a servant who
ought to have a reference and has
not-who is the victim of some in
justice. But until this is known, one
doubts. I don't say we are right to
doubt; but we are not altogether as
unreasonable as you seem to think"
Miles still looked obstinate.
What does Miss Frampton Think"
asked his friend.
i cannot be too careful. But you
know that Selma has taken a fancy
10 Mrs Trent She came to lunch,
about a month ago, when her motor
broke down.
Conveniently, at your park gate? ?"
Miles looked really grieved that a
woman whom he respected should be
so uncharitable. ''Oh, it was a long
way from the park gates,' he said
stiffly.
Miles, I always thought that you
We're inclined to be very conservative
TO object to the advance of women in
any way. I am told that Mrs. Trent
is a confirmed smoker. Do you wish
Selma to learn to smoker"
No. I think we might help-I mean,
IL she were not thrown SO much with
these racing, betting men, she-Mrs.
Trent-might learn that it is not the
right sort Of thing She-in fact, I
know that she thinks it far better for
n young girl not to do it. But the
constant jar TO her own nerves-liv-
ing with a man like that
Mrs Btrosley .t,pped short in her
walk, AMI glanced eharply at mini.
al 1t one. she ~n unpleasantly en-
Ugh. ened Miles" said she, in a low
voice. Il think it would do far less
garden party than for you to form
any kind of intimacy with her."
Miles threw back his head and
laughed in a yexed way; but he red
dened. "Intimacy?" he said Il should
have Jem to reckon with if I were
TO chum up in that direction,
shouldn't II"
'.Jem?" echoed Mrs Bardsley.
She was too surprised to say any
thing else. Jem.
"Oh-well, he's always there, as ]
suppose you know" said Miles, try
ing to speak lightly, "or was, till a
few weeks ago. Perhaps he got jeal-
Gus Of me-" he added. in tones meant
10 be airily humorous.
Mrs. Bardsley had had time to col
lect herself. The shock was severe
but her control was great. She
wrenched her thoughts away from
the path upon which the casual words
had sent them running, and braced
herself to her usual good-humored
sensible calm.
Mrs. Trent said she, has evil
IDENTIFY the .indefinabie something
which makes her fascinating to mer
in q way that women find hard tc
understand. You are your own mas
ter, Miles. and / have no right t.
say a word to you. But I beg you
10 think of Selma"
L hope L do But, Mrs. Bardsley
you surely are not of those who think
that no friendship is possible between
men and women, even if they are
married.
II am one of those who object tc
clap-trso, young man." she replied
with q very kind smile Il say ne
more She stopped, turned back
and waved to the girls to join them
will you and Selma stay and lunch
she asked.
Thanks, we can't. Selma has :
violin lesson at two, and 1 gave m,
word to Frampie that L would brins
her back in good time. II say
Mrs. Bardsley, 1 hope you are no
imaginfng-'
Il have very little Imagination,
was her quiet answer, "but perhap
some small faculty of observation
And have observed that it is of n,
use TO warn young people. The,
must buy experience. 1 only hop
yours. will not prove too extravagant
ly dear"
The girls came slowly on, arm il
arm, Selma's hands full of flowers
'Oh Miles," she cried, 1--WE shall
be beaten hollow at the Flower Show
Their begonias are twice the size o
ours. and as for the calceolarias, the
are big enough 20 put an egg insid.
and such colorsi''
"Ah," said her brother. wait i'll
j get. in with my amaryilisl"
The whole party moved slowly or
out into the flower garden, past tn
croquet lawn, and so to the front O