The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-05-11
! dicated an, easy-chair.

dicated an easy-chair.
 .I'm only passing through the city, said the Justice. ''I called to see a Corot that I understand you bought from Knoedler.''
 That's it." And Brookfield point ed to the canvas which earlier in the evening Clay had been telling Viola wah his inspiration for the decoration of the room.
 Thank you-you don't object to my Joking at it?"
 ..Not at ail." Brookneld touched a button and turned a button and turn ed on the battery of lights above the picture. The old Justice regarded the canvas affectionately for moment. and then said:
 That's it. I thought at one time that would buy this picture
 You know it.. then?''
 "Yes. Are you particularly attach ed to it, MT. Brookf1eld?"
 "Oh..
 Brookfield, divining that his caller was a possible purchaser took from the table a pad of paper and busted himself with a slight computation interest on the investment, and the like. He had seated himself where the table interposed between his hands and the gaze of his visitor. and he thought himself unobserved. At any rate. the Justice, with his. eyes still upon the canvas, had no chance to see him, yet after a moments in tervd he inquired:
 'Do I understand that is what you paid for it, or what you intend to ask me for it?''
 'sWhat'''
 '.Sdxty-five hundred.''
 Brookfeld's glance involuntarily sought the figures on the paper.
 'T didn't speak the price, did I?''
 Didn't you? Oh"-the Justice paused-'I couldn't pay that amount"
 That's it's price, however" Brook coincidence between the sum named and the one he had written on the pad.
 .'I regret I didn't. buy it from the dealer when I had my chance" The Justice looked about the room. 1 couldn't have given it so beautiful a setting, Mr. Brookfield, nor such kim dred, but 1t would not have been frfendiess.''
 .The speaker crossed to the fireplace. regarding second canvas that was hanging there.
 That's a handsome marine
 "Yes."
 Pretty idea read recently in an essay of pr. Van Dyke's-his pictures were for him windows by which he looked out from his study into the world.''
 There was 10 answer or comment from Brookfteld, and the Justice add, ed, interrogatively:
 .'Quite so.'' Brooiheld reused from his reyerie.
 The Justice left off contemplating the picture above the fireplace. and moved to another hanging over the doorway that led to the dining-room. His back was now fully turned to- ward .Brookfeld. who looked at him with an increasing interest The Jus tice, glancing over his shoulder, said:
 ssMlWashington.
 What ?''
 My home is washington-I thought you asked me"
 'tNo, didn't" answered Brookheld, a trifie petulantly.
 'T beg your pardon.'' And again the Justice fell to looking at the pic ture
 Jack rose from his chair, every nerve alert and every sense taut as
 ssBut I'm damned if I wasn't just going to ask hfm!"
 "And the phases of your world. MT. Broohf1eld. have been very pret- tily multiplied" The visitor was looking about the room with ordinary easel and apparently unaware that he had startled his host.
 ssThank you" Brookfield said, an- swering the statement. May of fer you a cigar?"
 s'Thank you, I won't smoke"
 "Or a glass of wine?" Nothing. I will return to the ho- tel. first asking you again to excuse man. ;retraced his steps across the room to g position in front of the Corot. taking his, hat from the table as he did so. preparatory to going;
 q wish you'd sit down awhile" had desire to know more of the interruption. continued:
 'sBut I didn't know until missed it from Knoedler's how large a part of my world-my dream-world-I had been Joking at through that frame"
 Well, if it's a sentimental matter, MT. Justice. we might talk 1t over. side of it, MT. Brookfteld. and where have so-so intruded."
 s"That's the big side of anything for me-the sentimental
 arm sure of it-and I mustn't take of that knowledge"
 You're sure of it?" BrookfieM ask ed, uneastly.
 ''Yes." : "Is that my reputation"
 .I don't know your reputation.
 s"Then how are you sure of it?"
 "Oh, T see you said the Justice. looking at him steadily, "and-weal. we have met"
 For the second time that night Brookf1e1d was conscious of that pair oe eyes; for the second time in his life. as far as he could remember, that creepy feeling of unreasonable fear tingled over his shoulders and through the roots of his hair. Brook field felt, as the Justice looked at him, that not only his life but his mind and his very soul were open books to that penetrating gaze. There was in 1t nothing of menace. yet 1t re- auired all of BrooAdeld's fortftude to meet it. He would have liked to speak-to say some defensive thing, but he uttered only an impotent and half-audibIe "Oh!"
 The spell, if spell it were, was lift ed by a pleasant bow from the Justice and an equally pleasant Good d-night" The old gentleman had reached the doorway, and was in the hall before Brookfield pulled himself together suf- to say: inquiringly.
 .'You said your address was Wash ington"
 "ves"
 You thought at the time I was about to ask you that question:"
 q thought you had asked It., the Justice answered, quite honestly and easily, at the same time retracing his steps into the room. t"And you thought a moment before l