The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-02-11
(Continued)

 to be a lady for three more weeks" The remark was thoughtless. A bright flush spread over Gertys face. She caught an allusion to her origin.
 Innes saw the blush and remem- bered the boarding house. She could think of nothing to say. The three relatives sat down to that most uncom- fortable travesty, a social meal where sociability is lacking. Innes said 1t had been a pleasant morning. Gerty thought 1t had been hot. And then there was silence again.
 Innes began to tell them of her Tue son visit, when Gerty laid down her fork. Eve meant to ask you a hun dred times. Did you attend to my commission in Los Angeles?"
 q forgot to tell you. raked the town, really did, Gerty." For there was a cloud on Gertys pretty brow. T could have got you the other kind, but you said you did not want it."
 T should think not" The childish chin was lifted. Those complicated things are always getting out of order. Besides, if 1 had an adjustable form, everybody'd be borrowing it."
 What are you talking abOut?" de- manded Tom, waking up. "Who'd bor- row your what, Gert?"
 "Please don't call me Cert Tom" besought his wife plaintively. "A fig ure. I wanted Innes to try to get one for me in Los Angeles"
 q did try" began Innes.
 Yours is good enough for anyone. Why should you ger another" He was openly admiring the ample bust swelling under the pink gingham.
 Don't, Tom"
 Innes tried to explain the sincerity of her search. She had visited every store (which might be suspected of having a figure" She could not bring q smile to her sisters face. There was none your size. They offered to order one from Chicago. They have to be made to order, if they are special sizes. You are not stock size, did you know thatl"
 T should think not" cried Gerty, bridling. My waist is absurdly small for the size of my hips and shoulders" Innes wondered if 1t would be safe to agree with her.
 "When will 1t be here?7 7, 'Youh be disappointed" Innes found herself stammering. "But not for six weeks. I did not know whether to order it or not"
 '"And in Los Angeles with my sum- mer sewing all donel What good will 1t do me then?" The pretty eyes looked ready for childish tears.
 q know. That is, I didn't know what to do," apologized Innes Hardin. q decided to order it as I'd found the place, and was right there, but made sure that I could countermand the or der by telegram. So I can this very afternoon. I knew you would be dis appointed. I was sorry"
 'Tll need it next winter" admitted Gerty, helping herself to some of the chilled tomatoes, I'm sure I'm much obliged to you. I hope 1t did not put you to much trouble"
 $The words raised the wall of for mality again. Innes bent over her plate.
 "What made you change your plans?'' suddenly demanded his wife of Hardin. ''When Sam came in with your bag, he surprised me so.'
 'My boss kept me" Hardin's face Is passion. 'Rickard, your old friend. / He served a subpoena on me at the station"
 "oh," cried Gerty. "surely, he did not do that, Tomg'
 Sure he did" Hardin's face was black with his evil mood. "Tm only an underling, disgraced underling. He's my boss. He's going to make me re- member it."
 ''You mustn't say such things" pout. ed his wife. of it does. not hurt you if you do not care, think how I must feel-'
 "Oh, rott' exclaimed Hardin. The veneer was rubbed down to the rough wood. Innes saw the coarseness hel mother had complained of, the Gings fiber.
 q suppose you think like to take orders, to jump at the snap of the whipT He was deliberately beating up his anger into froth. "Oh, sure, do. That's a Hardin, through ana through"
 Again the angry blood flooded hi! wife's cheeks. He, too, was throwing the boarding house at her.
 "You did it yourseIf'' Gerty witt difficulty was withholding the angr! tears. T told you how it would be You would do it." his plate.
 His sister looked drearily out th, wire-screened door. Her view was dusty street. Hardin got up, scrapin; his chair over the board floor.
 And to keep it from me-" persistet the wife. gro let me ask him to din ner@"
 Does that dismal farce have to g onf' demanded Hardin, turning bacl to the table, You'll have to have j without me, then. Pll not stay aD' make a fool of myself. Ask him t dinner. Me! I'll see myself"
 Innes wished she was in the neigh boring tent. Tom was flashing himsel into a coarse fury.
 To her dismay, Gerty burst int tears. It was killing her, the disgract