The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1920-10-13

! pledge to NeaPS mother-and mine Jim cleared his throat and Iimped ahead. But even as I caught Phoe- be's fingers in mine a question far ed across my mind:
 What would Virginia say when she saw that circlet on Phoebe's left hand.
 CHAPTER LXXv Bright and early on the day after Neal started for training camp, Terry came to call for Jim.
 I'm going to drive you to work like Captain of Industry, mate,'' said he. Then to clinch the lie of our friendly conspiracy against my least chap can do, Jim - after the way you stood by and took on this lease a man for the war; When sturdy, upright man like . Terry Winston decides to lie for friend, I suppose he fairly has to make a good job of it. But I won der if one day Jim will discover After Terry and Jim had left I started off on the days usual round Of housework. But one minute I was washing dishes, the next had plunged into dusting and a moment after that was engaged in making beds. Restless! I just couldn't stick to any kne thing. That little apart , , empty barn and twice as cold and dreary.
 I fairly ached with missing Neal He was all that had been left to his going, I felt that a milestone had been passed in my new life.
 Jim is booked for a splendid salary, and there's the monthly life have had so much money. And with the earning of this amount Jim is back on the threshold of his old life, the life that's utterly heart and soul I'll try to follow him there. But shall succeed?
 At noon I woke to the fact that neither Phoebe nor Virginia had phoned me, and with pride in my called ,- first the Rochambeau, then Virginia's apartment. But the girls weren't to be found. My loneliness of crackers and milk - took it in the kitchenette-and standing. That carried me back to my boarding- house days.
 lonely afternoon the doorbell rang. Even the laundryman would have been a welcome break in my day. But when I got to the door thera
 'Hullo, Lady Tenant! At last I get a real chance to visit you,' he announced. "Evvy just dropped me here with message = she's going out to the River road to get Jim. He motored up there with a chap named Norreys. Their car broke down-Norreys took the train, and as Jim couldn't stand the long cross : country walk, he called Evvy, and-there they are - and here are we"
 That's very nice of your cousin,' said color1essly. "A friend in need-is worth nine."
 Tom Mason chuckled.
 ''Misapplied proverbs don't con- vince me that Donna Anna isn't a bit miffed. Most uncomplimentary. Aren't you glad to see me? Wern't you even lonesome for me? By love, little lady, I didn't know 1 could be ready to commit murder and arson and perjury to get a min | ute alone with a woman. And I've brought you back my first gift'--
 Then, out of a box, he drew the blue, robe, and crossing the room, he tossed it into the carven chest and came back to seize my hands in his.
 "Mr Mason, 1T began sternly, and with real distaste, ''this is silly. It rpust stop"
 "Don't be cruel to me, dear" he b,oke in. Ut only makes me
 And hard on those ugly words I dicn't wish to- hear, there came an ins.stent peal of the doorbell. I crossed the room, half in relief and couldn't have this thing out once and for all. I jerked open the door.
 There stood Father Andrew,
 well - well, my little girl! My Bab5sie Anney he cried in his nice, rum2ling, jovial voice, enveloping me in a. great hug that almos' crusShed me between his fine broad chest and his heavy Gladstone bag.
 I elung to him, kissing his bristly mus.ache and his smooth apple cheeks and running my hands over his dsar, familiar Melton coat.
 mite," chuckIed Father Andrew. And for all you've got such a fine flat, it appears to me that my little lass D. glad to see her old father
 "Oh. dear darling Father An drew, you'll never guess how glad!" I whispered over and over. Then I remembered my unbidden guest and turned to present him;
 ''T5l.s is jolly" said Tom Mason. Sntstretched. "Tm delighted to be the first to offer you the keys of the city And whenever Anne is busy around the town"
 Father Andrew examined him with the tolerant amusement good natured St. Bernard might give to a little Pekinese that had wandered into it's kennel, and then he put Tom Mason neatly into his place.
 "Well, now, that's good of you. But I don't calculate my little girls going to be much busier than a man with his days work to do."
 (Which reminds me that there's half a days work waiting for me now" said Tom. And took his de- parture.
 Hes my landlord,' I explained breathlessly.
 Appeared to think he was my official guide" chuckled Father Andrew. Then his face grew stern. t "Where's Nea1?" he demanded.
 CHAPTER LXXVI.
 .'Then you didn't get Meals tele-