The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-07-24
WHITIAKER'S
 PLACE A M~&1 A 4&
By JOSEPH C. LINCOLN
cesyrssht. ,soa. sv D. Appleton s-eo

you down in his heart-if he has 7o1e7 Doesn't your housekeeper, who sees you every day, respect and like you? And little Em1ly-doesn't she love you more than she does all the rest of us together?' '~Well. I guess Rosam does care for the old man some, that's g; fact. She says she likes you next best, though. Did you know that?" But Miss Dawes was indignant
 Captain .Whittaker,'' she declared, ''one would think you were a hundred years old to hear you. You are always calling yourself an old man. Does MT. Atkins call himself old? And he is older than you.''
 ''We1l, Pm over fifty, Phoebe" In spite Of the habit for which he had just been reproached. the captain found this a difficult statement to make.
 ''I know. But you're younger than most of us at th1rty-fve. You see, Pm confessing, too,'' she added, with a laugh and a little blush.
 Captain Cy made a mental ca1cula- tion-
 Twenty years," he said musingly Twenty years is a long time. No;a Pm old. And, worse than that, Pm an old fool, guess. If hadn't been I'd have stayed in South America in- stead of comin' here to be booted out of the town I was born 1n.''
 The teacher stamped her foot.
 t'Oh, what shall l. do with youp' she exclaimed Ut is wicked for you to say such things. Do you suppose that MT. Atkins, would find it necessary to work as he is doing to beat a fool? And, besides, you're not complimen- tary to me. Should I, do you think, take such an interest in one who was an imbecileY'
 .'Well. 'tis mighty good of you. Your comin' here so to help Bos'n's fight along is''-
 How do you know it is Bos'n alto gether? T'- She stopped suddenly, and the color rushed to her face. She rose from the rocker. '1-really don't see how we came to be dis cussing such nonsense,'' she said tour ages and that sort of thing! Captain Cyrus, wish you would go to Washington. I think you ought to go.s'i l But the captains thoughts were far from yFashing gton at that moment. His own face was aIight, and his eyes 1 shone.
 ''Phoebe,'n he faltered unbelievingly, ''what was you. goin' to say? Do you mean that-that'- The side door of the house opened The next instant Mr. Tidditt, drip ping umbrella in his hand, entered the sitting room. F.
 "Heno. Whitp' he hailed "Just run Tn for minute to say howdy." Then he noticed the schoolnistress, and his expression changed. ."OhI How be you, Miss Dawes?" he said. ''I didn't see you fust Of Don't run away on my account"
 'I was just going" said Phoebe, but toning her jacket. Captain Cy accom- panied her to the door.
 "Goodby,N she said. '"There was something else meant to say, but I think it is best to wait. I hope to have some good news for you soon, something that will send you to Wash ngton with light heart. Perhaps shall hear tomorrow. If so I will call after school and tell you.''
 'fYeS, do,' urged the captain eager Ly. You'll find me here waitin'. Good news or not, do come. I-I ain't said all wanted to myself''
 He returned to the sitting room. The town clerk was standing by the stove. He looked troubled.
 Whats the row, Ase?" asked Cy cheeFily. He was overdowing with good nature
 "Oh, nothfn' special,'' replied MT. Tidditt. ''You look, joyful enough for two of us. Had good company, ain't Eyou?''
 "why, yes; bout as good as there is What makes you look so glum?'
 Asaph hesitated.
 Phoebe was here yesterday, too, want she?' he asked.
 'Yup. What of it?
 'tAnd the day afore that%'
 ''No, not for three days afore that. But what of if, ask you?''
 Well, now Cy. you mustn't get mad. Pm a friend of yours, and friends ought to be nble to say most anything to each other. Tiff was you I wouldn't let Phoebe come so often not here, you know, at your house. Course know she comes with Bos'n and all. but
 ''Out with itr' The captains tone was ominous. What are you drivin' atT"
 1 The caller fdgeted.
 "Well, Whit he stammered, there's considerable tallzin' goin' on, that's all.''
 '-Talkin'? What kind of talkin'?''
 Well, you know the kind This town does a good deal of it, specially after church and prayer meetin'- Seems if they thought twas a sort Of proper place. I don't myself kind of like to keep my charity and brother ly love spread out through the week. but
 "Ase, are the folks in this town say in word against Phoebe Dawes be- cause she comes here to see-Bos'nT
 'Don't-don't get mad, Whit Don't look at me like that. I ain't said noth- in. Why, a spell ago at the boardin' house F.
 S~ He told of the meal at the perfect boarding house. where Miss Dawes ehampfoned his friends cause; also of