The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-05-11

with In the introduction of the char aoters. Eds Tarmer.)
 econtinued from Yesterday.)
 .Tm sorry" Jack said.
 ''rd b. glad if you meant that--but you're not sorry"
 T am s~ry-rm sorry not to have puhlio respect, as long as you think
 'I amuse you, don't I.''
 Jack followed her across the room and took the chair at the end of the table opposits to that upon which she ooafed herself. He passed his hand weaf.iy over his eyes. sr. =
 sNot . little bit.' he said; "but you make me as blue as the devil. If that's any satisfaction."
 ssrd be glad to make you as blue as the devil, Jack.' Helen said, reso- lutely. eff it meant discontent with what you are doing-if it could make you do better"
 Tm- . pretty old leopard to get ner- vous about my spots"
 why are you blue2"
 .Tn what way2''
 'T had hoped that twenty years of charitable deeds had made you also charitable in your judgment.
 'sI hope they have" A's
 Don't seem to ease up on my spe-
 "1ou called your conduct wild oats twenty years ago"
 .sIf was: but I found such an excel lent market for my wild oats that I had to stay in that branch of the grnin business. Besides, 1t has been partly your fault. you know"
 1acI nodded. ..Your throwing me wild oats put it up to me to prove that they were a better thing than you thought"
 swell. having demonstrated that-7" Helen waited. perity and the evidences of physical comfort surrounding them was a suf- hcient answer, extended his hands complacently, and with a self-satisfied aid added. laxily:
 Here we are"
 ssYes,' assented Helen, her. tone ahowinG that she had more regard for the sentimental aspect of the case, s'hare we ara"
 sBaek in the old town." Jack added, bringing the consideration to q neu- tral gfound. Then, as he leaned for ward on the table in the playful man ner of the old Jack, the manner that had been so frresistibly potent in their younger days: Don't you think 1t would be a rather pretty finish, Hell en, if. despite all my leopard's spots. ana despite that-thats :. Philadelphia
 You cali twenty years of marriage episodic ?.' Helen broke. in half play fnlly. :..s' s.-; '.~-4 - =.
 There was a quiet authority in Jacks tone that compelled Helen to put the leading question.
 And the main story is ---?
 You and l"
 hol ho1o cs the heavy paper-cutter in see-saw fashion on the edge of the table. The positfveness- of Jacks answer had oc- cupied her sole attention for the mo- mekt, and the paper-cutter fell to the floor with a noticeable thud. Jack picked it up. On one side. near the handle, the cutter was faintly engrav- cd. Jack, from Helen" 1t was one of the few gifts she had made him in her girlhood days. Jack recalled the afternoon that they had leaned above the stationer's showcase in which it had been displayed; his admiration for the implement; Helen's amusement at some playful remark of his about the owner of such a paper-cutter being able not only to gain with it, but also to enforce a literary opinion; he re- membered the somewhat astonishing price the dealer had put upon it-a price geometric in its relation to the cost of smaller paper-cutters-and his delight in It's possession on the. ami vefnary- Helen had chosen to send 1t : to him Of all the articles in this curiously fitted library of his, this was his favorite. There was a natur- al streak of superstition in Brookheld, a superstittion which his business had considerably cultivated; he attributed but few of the things that happened in his day to accident. That Helen should drop this piece of ivory which for 90 many years had been memen- to of her. and in consequence should Rarded as significant. Lifting the ivory knife from the. floor. he GOV cred both her hands, still resting on the edge of the table, with his disen- eaeed hand, and holding the. paper cutter as he would have held sword, he said, i'm a tone of dreamy persua- sion and Of, unmistakable resolution:
 ssWouldn't it be a pretty finish. Hell en, if you took my hand and l could walk right up to the camera and say. T told you so.'
 pause that followed, and with an air of possession Jack added:
 .sYou know I always felt that you were coming back"
 "Oh, did you?"
 'Had candle burning in that win
 "You're sure it wasn't a red light?"
 'sDear Helen, have some poetry in your composition. Literally red iight, of course" Jack accepted the flame was here'-he put his hand on Ifs breast" flickering hope that souneWhere somehow semewhen I ahould be at rest with the proud Hell en Shat loved and rode away"
 Jqlks assumption of piayfulness feeling He had moved behind the AAGySlo. and Waa smiling down upon the