The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-08-13

too. Yes, I'd even asked her to come and see me-" She was really dis tressed.
 'eAnds why not?' he demanded. Hang 1t all, Agatha, it's nothing unusual. She's a jolly good sort and a sight too good for Medcroft. He's a stupid ass. I've said so all along. How the devil she ever married him can't see. But, by love, Agatha, can readily see how she might have loved the father of this child, no matter who he is. Take my advice, my dear, and don't be harsh ln your judgment. Don't say word about what you've heard. If they are reconciled to the-erthe situation, why the devil should we give hang? And, above all, don't let these Rod neys suspect.'' Here he lowered his voice gradually. ffThey're a pack of rotters and they couldn't understand. They'd cut her, even if she is a cousin or whatever it is. I'd give a year or two of my life to know positively whether Rodney intends taking those shares or not.' He said it in contem- pIative delight in what he would do if 1t were definitely settled. E1 can't stand them much longer"
 'fWhat great variety of Americans there arer' she reflected. Mrs Med croft and. her sister are Americans. Compare them with the Rodneys and MT. U1sterve1t. No, Carney, I'll not start a scandal The Rodneys would not understand, as you say. They'd tear her to shreds and gloat over the mutf1ation. No, we'll have her to see us in London. like her.''
 s'And by love, Agatha, like her sis ter!''
 My dear, the baby is a darling"
 'tBut what an ass Medcroft is"
 And thus is it proved that Mrs. Odell-Carney was not only a duEful wife in taking her husband into her confidence, but also that jointly they enjoyed peculiarly rational outlook upon the world as they had come to know it and to feel for the people thereof. It is of small consequence that they ecould not find it in their power to be in tune with the v1rtuous Rodneys-the Rodneys were conditions, not effects.
 However that may be, it was Kath- erine Rodney, pretty, plump and spoil ed, who pulled the first stone from the foundation of Medcroft's house of cards Katherine had convinced her self that she was deeply enamored of GAS NO4AIlC 14OS104Ss 4A6 LaOIS Sn0 thought that she loved him the greater became the conviction that he did not care as much for her as he professed. She began to detect decided falling off in his art1or. It was no use trying to hide the fact! from herself. that Con. stance was the most disturbing symp- tom in evidence. Jealousy succeeded speculation. Katherine decided to be hateful. She could not have helped 1t tf she had tried.
 It was very evident, to her at least, that Freddie was not to blame. He was being led on by the artfu1 Miss Fowler. There could be no doubt of lt-none in the least, declared Miss Rodney in the privacy of her own mis- erable reflections.
 Just as she was on the point of car Rying her woes to her mother an astounding revelation came to her out of a clear sky; an entirely new condi- tion came into the problem. It dawned upon her suddenly, without warning, that Roxbury Medcroft was in love with his sister-in-law.
 When she burst in upon her mother half an hour later that excellent lady started up from her couch, alarmed by the excitement in her daughters face. Mrs. Rodney, good soul, was one of the kind who always think the world is coming to an end, or the house is on fire or the king has been assassinat- ed, if any one approaches with a look of distress in his face.
 My dear, my dear!'' she cried as Katherine stopped tragically in the doorway. What has happened to your father? Speak,"
 Mamma, it's worse than thati I'-
 'sMerciful heavenr' The good lady blindly reached for her smelling salts.
 'I've made a dreadful discovery" went on Katherine in suppressed tones ''It came to me like flash. I couldn't believe my own brain. So. I watched them from my window. There's no doubt about it, mamma. It's as plain as the nose on your, face. He"-
 My darling, what are you talking about? Is my nose-what is the mat ter with my noseT' She vaguely felt of her nose, in horror.
 He's in love with her. There's no mistake. And, will you believe me, mamma, she is encouraging him! Pos ftivelys why-w11y, it's utterly con temptible. Oh, dear, what are we to do7''
 Mrs. Rodney looked blankly at her daughter, who had thrown herself in a chair. She gasped and then gave vent to a tremendous squeak.
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