The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-11-14

s 9N 1iISS MEYRICK strolled away, lMI out upon a little balcony open M Hi ing off the dining room. She
 - stood gazing down at the way ing fronds in the courtyard six stories below. If only that fountain down there were Ponce de Icons! But it wasn't. Tomorrow she must put youth behind. She must go far from the country she loved-dil she care enough for that? Strangely enough, burning tears filed her eyes. Hot revolt surged into her heart. She stood looking down
 Meanwhile the other members of the dinner party were gathering with ten der solicitude about their hostess in. the ballroom beyond. Dick Minot, hopeless. gluM, stallSed moodily among them. Into the crowd drifted Jack Paddock, his sprightly air noticeably lacking, bis eyes worried, dreadful.
 "For the love of heaven" Minot asked, as they stepped together into secluded corner, what ails you?'y
 Be gentle with me. boy" said Pad dock unhappily ~I'm in horrible mess. The graft, Dick-tlle good old graft. It's over and done with now"
 What do you mean?' 1"It happened last night after oar wild chase of Harrowby-I. was fused -excited-I prepared two sets of re- partee for my two customers to use tonight
 "Yesw
 T always make carbon copies to re- fer to myself just before the stuff is to be used. A few minutes ago took out my copies. Dick! sent the same repartee to both of themw In spite of his own troubles, MinOt laughed.
 ..Mirth, eh?' said Paddock grimly. "I can't see it that way. Anyway. this is my last appearance on any stage as librettist Kindly omit flowers And MT. Paddock drifted gloomily | away.
 While the servants were passing cocktails on gleaming trays.A Minot found the door to the balcony and stepped outside A white wrath fitted l from the shadows to his side. l 'tMr. Minot,' said soft, scared little voice 1 Miss Meyrick,''' began Minot hur- riedly, "I'm very glad to have mo- ment alone with you. want to apolo- 1 gize-for last night. was mad did Narrowly very palpable wrong. Pm 1 very ashamed of myself as look back. Can hope that you will-forget-all safd?"
 She did not reply, but stood looking 1 down at the palms far below. t'Can I hope that you will forget and forgiye?"
 l She glanced up at him, and her eyes shone in the dusk.
 q can forgive she said softly, "but I can't forget. Mr.-Mr. Minot''-
 Yes"
 "What-what-is- greatest privilege?" s. Something in the tone of her voice sent cold chill sweeping through Mi not's very soul He clutched the rail for support.
 Tiff you'd answer" said the girl, ''it would make it easier for"- 1 y l in the doorway.
 i "Oh, there you are, Cynthia You l are keeping the duchess dinner wait l ing.'
 Cynthia Meyrick joined her aunt. l Minot stayed behind moment Be ] low him Florida swan in the azure 1 night. What had the girl been about 1 to say?
 Pulling himself together, he went tu. side and learned that ne was to take il to dinner a glorious blond bridesmaid When they were seated he found t.. Il | Miss Meyrick's s face was hidden from him by a profusion of Florida bios soms. He was glad of that. He want ed to think-think.
 A few others were thinking at tha
 table, Mrs Bruce and the duches
 among them. Mrs. Bruce was men tally rehearsing. The duchess glanced
 at her.
 "The wittiest woman in San Marco,
 thought the hostess. "Bah!'
 MT Paddock meanwhile was toyini
 unhappily with his food. He had littl
 CC AS tlCIldNLANC yOuh5 1ddJ U
 haC ,aken in had already classified hin
 as bore. Most unjust of the attrac
 tive young laGV.
 Its lamentable, really" Mrs. Bruc
 was speaking. Even in our best SC
 ciety conversation has given way
 the turkey trot. Our wits are in ou
 feet. Where once people talked art
 music, literature now they tang
 madly. It really seems'-
 Everything you say is true." inter
 rupted the duchess blandly. T some
 times think the race of the future wi
 be-a trotting race"
 Mrs. Bruce started perceptibly. He
 eyes lighted with fire. She had beel
 working up to this line, and the co incidence was passing strange. sh