The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-01-17

student sort. rather good looking, fine physiqueF'-
 "That's the man."
 'I know him. but not very well' And Cathewe fumbled among the other newspapers.
 "Dine with me tonight" urged Hew- fit
 "Tn tell you what See that Italian over there with the statues? l am going to buy him out. and if l don'S make a sale in half an hour I'll sign the dinner checks"
 "Doner'
 "I'll take haIr of that bet" said Cathewe. rising. ''It will be cheap"
 Ten minutes later the two older men saw Fitzgerald hang the tray from his shoulders and take his posi- ton on the corner.
 "I love that chap. Hewitt; he is what I always wanted to be. but couldn't be-" Cathewe pulled the dropping ends of his mustache. Heaven on earth. will you look! A policeman is arguing with him."
 But l bought him out.." protested Fitzgerald "There's no law to pre- vent my selling these.''
 "Oh. I'm wise. We want no horse play on this corner; no joyful col leSe stunts" roughly.
 Fitzgerald saw that frankness must be his card. so he played it Look here. Do you see those two gentle men in the window there"
 "The club?"
 "Yes. I made wager that could sell one of these statues in half an houE If you force me off Fll lose dinner"
 Well. I'll make bargain with you. You can stand here for half an hour. but if you open your mouth to wo-- man I'll run you in. No fooling: I'm talking straight. I'm going to see what your game is"
 ''I agree.'
 So the policeman turned to his cross ing and reaSsumed his authority over traffic. all the while never losing sight of the impromptu vender.
 Many pedestrians paused. To see well dressed young man hawking plas- ter Venuses was no ordinary sight They knew that some play was going on. but with that inveterate suspicion of the city pedestrian none of them stopped to speak or buy. Some news boys gathered round and offered a few suggestions. Fitzgerald gave them back in kind
 Once he turned to see if his friends were still watching him. They were, two among many. for the exploit had gone round. and there were other wagers being laid on the result. While his head was turned and his grin was directed at the club window a hand some young woman in blue came along. She paused, touched her lips with her gloved hand mediratingly and then went right about face swift iy. Some one in the window motion ed frantically to the vendor. but he did not understand. Ten minutes left in which to win his bet He hadn't made very good bargain. Hm! The young woman in blue was stopping Her exquisite face was perfectly seri ous as her eyes ran over the collection on the tray. They were all done execrably. something Fitzgerald hadn't noticed before.
 How much are these apieceT
 "Er-25 cents. ma am. he stammer- ed As q matter of fact be hadn't any idea what the current price list was
 "You seem very well dressed. doubtfully. ',and you do not look hun gry."
 '.I am doing this for charity's sake." finding bis wits. The policeman hoy cred near. scowling. He was power less. since the young woman had spo- ken first.
 "1 will take this Canova. believe" she finally decided. opening her purse and producing the necessary silver '-Of course. 1t is quite impossible to send this?"
 "Yes. ma'am. Sending it would eat up all the profits" But with i'll con- cealed eagerness. eff you will leave your address can send as many as you like"
 "I will do that"
 Incredible as it seemed. neither face lost it's repose: he dared not smile. and the young woman, did. not care to There was something familiar to his memory in the oval face. but this was no time for a diliSent search
 Hey. miss" yelled one of the news boys. you're t'rowin' your money away. He's fake: he ain't DO statoo seller. He's doing 1t for joken'
 Fitzgerald lost little color. that was all But his customer-ignored the imputation. She took out a card and laid It on the tray. and without further ado went serenely on her way. The policeman stepped toward her as If to speak. but she turned her delicate head aside. The crowd engulfed her pres ently. and Fitzgerald picked ap the card There was neither name nor definite address on it. It was a mes sage, hastily written, and it sent a thrill of delight and speculation to his heart. Still carryin, the tray before him. he hastened owe. 70 the club. where there was something of an ovation. Instead of dinner foI three it becnme one for a dozen. and Titzgerald pissed the statuettes round as souvenirs of the most unique bet ot the year There were lively times Toward midnight, as Fitzgerald was going out of the coat room, Cathewe spoke to him
 "What was her name, Jack?"
 ssHaU0od if I know n