The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1916-01-18

FEWW IL StId1SAI TO e40T EOOll, ana sW1eQ
they were inside she closed the
door and sank into chair,
painting from her rapid walk.
What is it, mother?" Cora demand
ed.
s.You ought to understand, heaven
knows!' Mrs. Langllam cried. Haven't
you heard about Howard TinsIey?,'
7 Yes, but what
'sWell, you have ordinary sense, I'm
sure" Mrs. Langham Jared out. This
whole town and a few even down at
home have been connecting your name
with that boys for the last two
months. said nothing because you've
had harmless affairs with all sorts of
young men everywhere we've ever
spent the summer. But this is differ
ent- You've entertained him at our
house. The Atlanta papers, because
he was a sort, of editor, made mention
of his visit to US. We are tied up in
this terrible affair, I tell you. Your
father win be furious enough to dis
own you, and folks in the hotel here
are actually asking me If you and that
young jailbird are not engaged
Stunned beyond utterance lover what
had happened prior to this TRADE, Cora
sank into chair near a window. She
could think OF only one hing now,
and that was the calamity which had
befallen her friend.
why don't you talk? Say some
thing, for Gods sakeI Mrs. Langham
groaned. what are we going to dor"
do? Why, mother, what can we
do? It is not our fault. We can't
help what
we can do something, and we must
do something, and without delay the
older woman broke in. ssWe can pack
as quickly as possible and get away
from this silly town. The papers will
announce our return to Atlanta, and
the public will at least know that we
are not here backing the man up, no
matter what the gossfps may try to
make out of his past attentions to you.
If we stay here they will say you are
heartbroken. And who do you think
would care to marry a girl under a
cloud like that?"
$50 you would have me turn against
him the moment he is in trouble Cora
answered. s'Howard will know why
we left town, and that will add to his
humiliation. He may be innocent, moth
er. They say he denies it outright
'sOf course he would deny it.! What
fool wouldn't under the circumstances?
DON'T argue with me, Cora. I'm your
mother, and right now have a clearer
head than you have. You will live to
see the day you will be glad forced
you to be sensible. We've got to get
away today on the first train
ssDo you mean to say that you actual
" want to stay?'' Mrs. Langham ex-
claimed, rising and striding heavily to
her daughters chair and standing over
her.
muttered despondently. s1 don't-don't
know how I feel toward him. I don't
know my own heart. don't know
that have heart like most girls, but
know am sorry for Howard and do
away like this. His other friends''-
Cora was thinking in dismay of Mary
Trumbley-twill not turn against him -
what IL they don't?'' burst from the
desperate matron's lips. 'What have
they got at stake? Who ever heard of
them outside of this little town? 1t is
different with you. The papers will
want to make as much sensation as
they can out of it. see the line they
viii pursue. They Will say that a pop
ular Atlanta girl is staying here to be
near to him. taking flowers and delica-
cies to his cell every day. You've got
to be sensible"
Out of breath Mrs. Langdon paused.
Cora sat mute, pale and almost culver
ing for several minutes. Then she
arose. She drew herself up to her full
height, and, going to her bureau, she
looked at her face in the mirror. TAX