The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1920-10-08

A scious. Sheldon Biake had touched my hair almost caressingly.
 Was that for Virginia-or because any woman was flair game for him :?
 CHAPTER LXIX.F
 By the time Sheldon and I returned from our drive twilight had deepened to dusk. And both of us were in subdued, before-dinner mood as we left the gray car at the curb and hur- ried up to my apartment.
 Candle-1it dusk greeted us when we entered-dim lights and hush that was almost startling. It seemed to be that absolute quiet that follows some electric movement.
 Hello, the housei Do Rip Van Twinkle and the Sleeping Beauty abide there?" called Sheldon banteringly. felt grateful to him for breaking the spell But it could be banished .on1y by dispel1ing the shadows and mystery of the room. So I pressed the switch and flooded the place with light. Then Evvy laughed nervously and cried:
 Say, you two barbarians from the outer world, don't you know a glare like that is bad for Rips eyes"
 Then something in my brain went r~click." Evvey, it seemed, was loath ito have the lights go up until she and Jim had little time in which to col feet themselves-to adjust themselves ito our presence. Again she made me
  own home. For a second I was actu- ally heartsick-and then I remember ed Sheldon's hand on my hair If he would play up to me now perhaps Jim --whats sauce for the gander may be ' very saucy for the goose.
 I turned to Sheldon:
 This isn't as inspiring a lighting scheme as that wonderful sunset-or tthe dusky little path in the park. is T caid in II h6Ded vocative.
 Sheldon got his cue.
 Flush! That's our own special fpath-Lady Anne-and we donA want ito share it with the world" he mur- mured.
 "Our path-all ours? You haven't showed it to another soul?"
 As I asked it. whipped off my hat and fluffed my hair with my fingers, Bmiling with little of that world wis., nom that probably was born in - Mother Eve.
 'It's all ours, and if you'll only stand with the candle light on that wonderful hair for a minute more, I'll be tempted to offer you the world not mere path"
 And if I pose in the candle light for an hour" I asked, daringly, Twill you promise to stay and keep me from getting tired and-lonely?" ?"
 You try mel"
 As he replied. Sheldon came to my
  under each elbow. His eyes sparkled. Evidently this was game he liked . playing. Truth to tell it made me most uncomfortable--but to counter balance that there was the hope that .Jim would notice how the man in the case was "p1aying up." Instead he called in great amusement:
 .You look pretty enough to kiss Eiddie-au flushed and wind-tossed! Its pity can't run over and do it. but I refuse to appoint Sheldon a committee of one to attend to it for me. Instead, like a dutiful wife, you come to Friend Husband"
 How disappointing you are, Jim- mie," cried Evvy with a quick flash of her eyes at Sheldon. Any regu- lar husband would be jealous of oul handsome Shelly. Can't you see how dangerous he is?'
 Jim laughed, and Sheldon joined him. But in that laugh of Sheldon's I read full consciousness of the thins that I wasn't thinking of him at all butt was using him to make my bus band aware of the charm might have for other men.
 When I reached the couch, Jin drew me down to his side, gave me { careless kiss and said:
 Anne, want you to persuade Evvy to take the money she won Twice we played double or quits an( both times that clever child defeated ime utterly. Some checker-queen Evvy;, Take your money. lady cham pion."
 over that" Evvy's voice wa sharp. 'I won't walk out of here wit about ten dollars of yours, like a reg ular little card shark-thats all. won'ti"
 Don't be silly, Evvy You wor didn't you? We'll, believe me, if r won I'd be taking the spells. An also believe me. next time we play IT rake in my pile if Pm the winner Otherwise what's the use of playin g How about it. Shelly?"
 Sheldon looked uneasingly at Evv!
 ''Oh, why all the fuss, Jimmie-boy 7broke in the girl before Sheldon coul sreply You don't have to call Anne and Shelly as referees. This Ebetween us. I came to amuse an ir valid, not to fleece him. You weren tplaying your usual game, and all be- are off If hear another word aboI this filthy luLre I'll never play an games at all with you any more!"
 Was this the cause, the only cauS Of that strange silence when I can lin? Still questioning, I began mt chanically to insist that Evvy take ht winnings, but she waved me aside a most angrily.
 Stop pickering over a trif1e!" sf cried with utter indifference to tf smoney.
 Then she slipped into her mot, scoat and dragged Sheldon off with 2 Ampudent little parting shot:
 "If you'd behaved, Jimmie-boy, s1night have suggested sending our tv fresh air fiends out to dine, while V had a cosy little party in the candl flight.''
 Before anyone could reply the do slammed.
 Would you have liked that-'par lsn the candlelight'.' asked breat 1essly.
 "Yes with you," murmured Jim.
 You darling!"
 I flung mys-lf at his side, and thel staring at me insolently, was the D .of bills and coin Evvy had refused take For the second time in my br kmarried life hoard of winnin erinned at me from that refecto liable as if it were my evil genius. rouched the money with expe rJnental forefinger as if I expected ito snap at me.
 Jim, you can't let her fling ba