The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-02-17

SDe ITleu lO IDdke lllc uuSeIS IlldI closed over the letter move casually. She conld feel them tremble. What would she say if Tom asked to see it?
 It was addressed to her in her hus- bands care. Hardin had found it at the office in his mail. And she going each day to the postofflce to prevent 1t from falling into his hands! She gave it a quick offhand glance.
 About the drive, of course, Sup per's getting cold. Look at that ome- lette. Don't whit to wash up. It will be like leather"
 When she had finished her meal, ske read her letter with a fine show of in difference. "He Sets a date for the drive" She put tho letter carelessly Into her pocket before her husband could stretch out his hand. It would never do for jealous Tom to read that: "Your letter was received two weeks ago. Pardon me for appearing to have forgotten your kindness"
 ''The nerve" growled Tom again, his mouth full of Gerty's omelette. "To takesyou up on an invitation like khst. I call that pretty raw.'
 "You must remember we are such old friends" urged his wife. "He knew meant It seriously"
 "Just the same, it's nerve," grUn1- bled Hardin, helping himself to more of the omelette, now a fiat ruin in the center Of the Canton platter. His re- sentiment had taken on an edge of hatred since the episode of the dredge machinery. gro write to anyone in my house! He knows what I think of him; an intellectual ass, that's what he Is. Blundering around with his little levees, and his fool work on the wa ter tower"
 "The water tower?" demanded his dster. "What's he doing with thatf" "Oh. don't know" rejoined Tom largely, his lips protruding. He had been itching to ask some one what Rickard was up to. Twice, he had seen him go up, with MacLean and Estrada Once, there q large flare of light. But he wouldn't ask! Some of his fool tinkeringi
 His sisters gaze rested o1 him with concern. He had too little to do. She guessed that his title, consulting en- gineer. was a mocking one, that his chief, at least, did not consult him. Was it true, what she had heard, that be had made fluke about the ma- cbincry? He was looking seedy. He had been letting his clothes go. He looked like a man who has lost grip; who has been shelved.
 She knew he was sleeping badly Every morning now she found the couch rumpled. Not much pretense Of marital congeniality. Things were go- Ing badly, there
 Everybody has accepted" Gerty was saying. "They have been waiting for me to set the date"
 And you cater to him, let him dangle you all. I wonder why you do 1t, unless it's to hurt me-"
 Hurt you, Tom," cried his wife, her deep blue eyes wide with dismay. "How can you say such thing? But If 1t is given for him, how can I do anything else than let him arrange funny for the guest of honor not to be present, wouldn't it?'
 q don't sec why you want to make him Il guest of honor," he retreated, covering his position.
 Gently, Gerty expressed her belief that she was doing the best thing for her husband in getting up a public af- fair for his successor. She did think that Tom would see that it showed they had no feeling.
 ''I think it a fine idea" agreed In- nes heartily. 'Im sure Tom will, too, when he thinks about it." But she did not give him any chance to express himself. "How are you going to man. age it, Gerty? You said it was going to be progressive?'
 "We shall draw for partners" said Mrs. Hardin. And change every half q mile. The first lap will be two miles that will give some excitement in cutting for partners" Easy, being the hostess, to withhold any slip she pleased, easy to make it seem acci- dental!
 "When is this circus coming off?' inquired her husband.
 'sMr. Rickard says he will be back on the first; that he'll be free on the second"
 "For half an hour, I'll listen to Mrs. Youngberg tell me how hard it is to have to do without servants, as she's never done it in her life before. For another half-mile, Mrs. Hatfield vii. dirt with me, and Mrs. Middleton will tell me all about her dear little kid dies.' Sounds cheerful. Why didn't you choose cards? No one has to talk then"
 There was an interval when his wife appeared to be balancing his sugges- ton. "No, think it will have to be a drive; for I've told every one about it."
 '"weu," remarked her husband. q only hope something will happen to prevent it."
 'sTom!" exclaimed Gerty Hardin. "whnt a dreadful thing to say. That sounds like Q curse. You make my blood run ccld
 "Shul" said Hardin, picking up his hat. That was no curse. 1ou