The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-12-02


 ne spun out hIs farewell calls, dilly .dzilted. held back all he could. but at last the fnexorab1e morning arrived. sDagcancourt was there in an automo- sbiIe Matt's suit case, packed bursting, sstood ready on the porch, together with q large brown paper package of the overflow His pockets bulged with hard boiled eggs and sandwiches, and never was man more apparently des- tined for instant departure when the telephone bell suddenly rang and Brid- get came rushing out to say that MT sBoty wanted MT. Broughton on the wire
 At the moment it seemed an intol- erable indfctlon. MT. Doty was -clergyman, a mild creature of an aax- 1ous cordiality, whose acquaintance with Matt was of the slightest Matt took up the receiver with the inten- fion of making short work of the rev erend gentleman, an intention enpha- sized by the honk of Victor's horn, inn speriously bidding him to hurry:
 '-Hello,'' he said.
 ssOh, MT Broughton,' returned sDoty, this is just to remind you of our church social tomofrow night. tickets 25 cents, including hat check, and to say I simply cannot take a re- fusaI Please tell me that you will come"
 sComer' cried Matt. Why. Pm leav- ing this minuteSfor K entuckEr' .s..-a,.l Put 1t of. then,' protested Doty. ''I have a special reason-a very spe- ciaI reason-for wishing you to come. Indeed. must make my request i'm perative- Oh NIT. Broughton, refuse me if you like, but do not say no to one of the sweetest and most gracious of our young patricians.''
 Can't help it," exclaimed Matt curtly Sorry to disappo1nt you, but reaI1y''-
 s@uayn't I try to persuade you, MT. BroughtonT' said a new voice in his cara girlish voice with the indescrib- able cadence of good breeding. I've been counting so much on meeting you tomorrow nlght-in fact, only agreed to come for that reason"
 Matt's own tone softened-
 Do tell me who yeu are" he asked. '.I orghtn't even to wait for that, but I'm too hattered not to-,
 I'm Miss Marsha11,S' she replied, General MarshaH's daughter, you know-or suppose you don't know, though
 Miss Marshallt' cried Matt, dazzled at the name. 'I had no idea I was talking to angels unawareS. Of course I know you. in a faroff, cat looking a t king sort of way. Who doesn't?"
 "I know you better than that" she returned gayIy. fLet nae count-yes, it's five times I've seen you, and once was so close to you in the music store that might have touched you. l am sorry I didn't now-ho1d out my hand, I mean-but it's world where people are too easily misunderstood, isn't it? And here we are, like ships that pass in the night-with you go- ing to Kentucky. Must you really go to Kentucky, MT. Broughton
 lin afraid I have to-
 Does that mean you've found Mana swan horribly dull? But of course it does People only stay here who have to-Iike barnacles on a rock
 II don't know. I've liked it well enough stammered Matt. though you make me ashamed to admit it. think I'm sorry to leave the old place, specially now
 "That settles it, MT. Broughton. YoF- simply must comer', ezclained the young lady. Please tell me that you EiIlr-
 Matt listened eagerly as she laughed again and then struck his flag The sound of his voice startled him with its earnestnesS.
 .sCertainly, if you wish it. he said Its too charming an invitation from too charming person for me to re fuse''
 Apparently Miss Marshall was lit tie taken aback. There seemed shade less cordiality in her tone as she replied, ..Oh, if you would much rather not. you know-if it's inconvenient or anvthfng-pIease don't let me put you out-''
 ..Oh but I'd love to come. Really and truly I would
 With an even more ambiguous: "Oh, thaukst Then va will expect you. GoodbyI'' the phone was closed.
 Poor DaggancoUrt was terribly cast down at the news and expostulated tremblingIy. with tears in his eyes. He was so humble. so quaveringly re- strained. that his reproaches were harder to bear than if they had been more outspoken- Mrs. Sattane and the others were merely surprised, very much surprised indeed, and listened with the greediest of ears and the most evident IncreduIity to. the tale of