The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-06-21

-,ome Eval hurry upl Two more cheese sandwiches and two moro heers."
 A tall young woman, a heavy tray held high in her hands rushed by and called over her shoulder, Tn a min | ute, Bert. I'll be right there" It was in the Cafe Roma and every tabie was filled with patrons. In one corner an orchestra of the usual cafe sort, violin, oornet, drums and piano was holding forth but it was hardly noticeable above the din of the dishes. After Eva had deposited her load of |foamlng steins at the table fin the corner she returned and stood beside |cAe young man who had issued tho |peremptory order for her to hurry up.'
 well little one, how is everything going with you. When you come back with our beer want to make a date with you. This Is my friend, Tom Burlington" with a wave of the hand presenting the young man who sat beside him. Cant you get another girl and como out with us for a lark? ?'' Flight of us go off duty in half an hour. I'll get Mary March and be at the corner at quarter of nine" Quarter of nino found the four ready for anything that might turn up. They strollod up the street, Mary and her new found friend, Tom, in front. Bert and Eva saunterlng behind. Bertram Knight was a rather good looking fellow. He had dark hair. dark eyes and an almost olive com plexion. But his was not a pleasant face. His mouth was weak and sell ishness showed in every line. His companion was about his own height. Thought not pretty she had a certain dash and style that would make her attractive to that type of man of which her companion was an example. They had been friends for O year or moro and Bertram knew her history well. She came from an inland town and was the daughter of an old gate tender and his wife, Corcoran by name.
 But Eva had long ago repudiated her parents. She had now adopted a mythical Colonel for her father. who she claimed had been killed in India many years before. AS the laughter of an heroic soldier she claimed to be "lady'' who because of circumstances which she could not control' was obliged to earn her own living. Of course she consider cd herself much better than her CO., workers and to tell the truth was very unpopular with them.
 Heard from the old man Bert, lately?"
 "Yes, I had a letter yesterday. He, thinks I'd better think about settling down get married, he means. He wants me to go back to Bainbridge and live with him. How would that strike you, Eva? How'd you like to be Mrs. Knight?" and he held her arm close fo his side and leaned over to look up into her face.
 Esva's heart was beating rapidly. Al though she had meant to marry Ber- tram Knight if possible she had hardly expected the chance to come so soon. However, she answered with a laugh and toss of her head, "Oh, stop your fooling."
 I'm not fooiing. I never was more serious in my life Uncle Rufus is getting old and he has no, son, you know. He has a daughter but she does not live with him. Her mother died when she was quite young and an aunt has taken care of her ever since. Uncle Rufus never liked that aunt and was opposed to having Betty go there. In fact he was so angry he has only seen her a few times since. So you see we've got a chance at a pretty good thing. If we work our cards right we stand a good chance of getting everything the old fool has got What do you say?''
 "It sounds good to me if you're not ioshing."
 But we must never hint that you ever saw the inside of "Roma's' and for heavens sake keep the Corcoran side of your family in the discard. The Knights are proud as Lucffer but he will be glad to welcome a 'Colonel's daughter into the family As for Miss Betty think, if I'm not much mis- taken, you are smart enough to see that she does not upset our plans"
 Don't worry. I'm a pretty good little schemer myself"
 'T believe you are" Bert laughed as he looked shrewdly into her face. Dashed if don't think you've done a little schemins already"
 Rufus Knight was very much in earnest when he asked his nephew 70 come back and make his home with him. But when he learned that Ber- tram was intending to bring his bride with him he decided that the two should have a home of their own in which to start their married life. He wrote to Bertram and congratulated
 him on having won the daughter of Colonel Lenster" and welcomed Eva into the family saying that he would try dn a slight measure to take the place of the father who had died so e1orfously on the field of battle and that he hoped she would be a daugh- ter to him.
 You've got him going already. Eva. Now it's up to you to be care full, a slip of the tongue might spoil everything. You do the daughter act and I'll guarantee you'll never have to work the rest of your life"
 After a very short trip, for Der tram's finances were at a very low ebb, the couple arrived at Bainbridge and were soon ensconced in their pretty little home. For almost a year everything had been going smoothly and just as had been plan ned by the two plotters. Occasion ally the old man was trifie surprised at some of the expressions used by his nephew's wife. and at some of her