The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-01-02

WRNgNE steps that led into the little hallway of SgAS inc hat-house wherein abode the One Woman and vigorously pushed the button above the 4etter-box.
 Ordinarily the eager, welcoming clicking of the L1oorIocle was almost coincdent with the pressure of his thumb But tonight it not; and there ensued long, long pause And when at length the loeI did click it seemed do hesitatngly doubt fully, uncertainty
 But Donelly too happy in his thoughts ana narrow stairs three time, to the third floor And there, as ordinarily she was a"aiting nm III 4he door of the little parlor
 Mir. Malone, as Donnelly entered, looked up from Gis newspaper.
 ~ n avenin', Macchew, me bye,' he greeted cordially. Iris tn divv1es toime they do be havin' at Aubenny, be hvins. Such lot av' lally- ao9in' an shenangin' Oi niver did in all over an' considerirf it careful 1oike. Dive med up me ,rnoind they aint honest rich in tn counthry nor dishonest poor wan, an if tn rich should be- come poor an tn poor grow rch 'tis divvle av bole tb' counthry be in be hivins! What wid Tiddy Roseyvilt ca11in' livery ma-an thot don't agree wld riddv Roseyvilt ca1n' him tn sa-ame an nanny av .h;r, .bure poor workin' ma-an's put it bad to naake hid r tail ont tn whole donm'd bizness, aae is so be hivinsI"
 To the unmusica1 accompaniment of the clatterlng of dishes the shril1 voice of Mrs. Malone was heard from where she was at work in the kitchen.
 ~Pathrick! Pathrick! Oi sa-ayi"
 Ii was enough MT. Malone had been well trained; and so meekly abandoning that which was to have 6een. to him, at least most interesting political discussion and taking his evening in one hand and his shoes in the other, he humbly quilted the room leaving his daughter and Donely alone. For ll'sooth, he was welcome suitor, was Donnely!
 DonneIly proceeded to seat himself spaeiously on the sofa.
 "Come over here, Nellie, girl" he said spreading a broad palm the vast vacancy beside him Eve got it all fixed, ring an all he announced exuber- ant1y "Le me tell yuh all about it.
 The girl, from her seat the piano-stooL looked LTD shyly and shook an indecisive, hesitating live.
 l. Donne11y sat up straight Whats the matter, Nellief" he asked. "Why, what is it. grille? Has anything gone wrong with you?"
 She did not reply. Quickly Donnelly rose and went to her.
 What is it?" he demanded tensely Something's happened-something must "a happened tuh make yuh ac' like this Tell what it is."
 He had placed tender, eager hand upon her 1.-the shoulder and the girl slowly, reluctantly withdrew from its touch.
 For an instant she was silent; and then, the quvering lips firmly set she said slowly very slow ", and chokingly:
 "LEI-can't marry you, Matt
 He started back quickly
 Why wha' d yuh mean, NeIlie?' he demanded, Cant marry me! Why? Why? Don yuh love 1ao more? Don yuh?"
 Her hands, closed one over the other in her lap. clenched uervously; her eyes filled with tears.
 ~It isn't that" she replied hastily. q do love you, Matt dear. Really, really, dol But
 Then why can't yuh marry me?" he asked be- wilderingIy.
 She did reply; her hands clenched tightly
 Tell me why,' he commanded.
 Still she made response.
 'Yuh gotter tell time, Nelle,' he sai6 slowly. "Yuh that much. An yuh might well tell me now as to tell me later"
 The girl lowered dark lashes over tearladen eyes. "I will" she replied very softly; and then quickly, with great effort, as anxious to be done with pain-fraught duty may be, she said hur riedIy, breath1essy, brokcnly:
 Lydia Love says can't"
 Donne1ly started
 Who's she?" he demanded savagey, An what's she buttin' in here for anyhow, I'd like tuh know? The girl gazed up at him in surprise
 "Why, don't you know who Lydia Love is?" she asked in amazed tones. Donelly shook his head effectively. "No." he replied. Never heard of hey. Who is she?'
 Why" explained the girl, 'she's the lady who runs the Balm for the Heartsick and Advice to Young Lovers department in the Evening Gazette. She knows everything"
 "oh, she does. does she?" queried Donnelly in vidiOusly