The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1920-12-13
CHAPTER CxLIII.

&-.-a-- CHAPTER CxLIII
 I've told you before that I won't have Norreys snooping around after you," exclaimed Jim.
 Be careful! Terry's not had time to getthe elevator yet-he might hear you" I cried. .,.,s
 Let him hear! The more people hear the likelier it is to come to Nor reys' ears. I won't have him snooping around after you. That's flat
 I was tired from the days events finding Betty again, going through the horrible theatre party with Evvy claiming all Jim's attentions, emotion and devotion. That may be why I replied as I did. But nothing can excuse the blind stupidity that led me to say what I might have known was sure to accent. if not in crease, Jim's rage.
 Jim, I don't see why you insist on being jealous of Anthony Norreys He isn't capable of even a thought that is disloyal to you or insulting to me-
 "Oh, he's Saint Anthony. suppose. Different from other men, sneered Jim.
 No, just like all fine men. Like Terry, for instance. Decent. Capa- for a woman. Do you mean to tell me man can't like me for my mind-the way he might like you" Do you mean to tell me- mimick- ed Jim, that you expect me to swallow all this baby-doll stuff? I suppose you're so pure-minded that you didn't try to break up my friend ship with Tom Mason by telling me a hard luck story of how the villain still pursued you. I suppose you didn't" S.tI liked him better tonight. But whether I trust Tom or. rot has noth- ing to do with the fact that a wonder full man like Anthony Norreys is cap able of wonderful friendship" Well, he can just take his wonder full self and his wonderful friendship somewhere else. I don't like sancti- -monious goodygoodys and never will. And I won't have one shopping around after my wife"
 "Snooping!" I repeated in exasper- ation. Cant you find another word ?'' My feelings were getting the better of me. I wasn't cold, as I usually am in a quarrel. Instead, I was | shaken by the injustice of Jim's atti- | tude. burning to find the way to | break through his stubbornness and prejudices and to conquer his tyran- | nical attitude toward the man Of whose fineness I was convinced. That word," said Jim with harsh ! dignity. "covers the situation. Nor reyS plays on your sympathy with his | wooden arm and his emaciated face. | Of course I don't object to Terry. First of all, good old Terry's in love with Betty and never thinks of you except as a sister. But Norreys ism l a ladies man-and he hasn't girl of | his own; so he can just keep off the grass where my girls concerned That's flat"
 But. Jim" I protested, tit was | Jennie who called him in to help yes | terday. It's Terry who will get the 1 benefit of his car this morning. And | its all for Betty. So why argue with me like this? Is it to forestalf me, So I won't say anything about the way you devoted yourself to Evvy all eVen- | ing?"
 -"Evvy.'' Jim fairly shouted the name You make me sick with your everlasting suspicion of that poor Ht- tie kid Why, I've known her all my life. She's nothing to me and you | know it if you'll take the trouple te use your brain.' -. ...: - Then why are you always so-de-
 voted to her, whispering and sittins off by yourselves and looking so in | terested 7" -.- - l some catalog." snapped Jim. q suppose I look interested because ] am Evvy's clever. and she knows
 d lot of people I do. I tell you shes
 one of my oldest friends. Naturalls she has some claim on me, . Clever. Interesting" I repeated
 What does she talk about-hersell or vOu? -
 M eouw, Meouw! For pity's sake Anne, don't develop into a cat" criet l Jim impatiently.
 T. cat. Maybe Evvy isn't. Il retorted.
 '"Oh, drop Evvy. Hang it all, yot
 na gged about Betty in the beginning
 And now look how you rave aoou
 her. Don't you see is old friendship
 that stand up under the acid test .fI've proved you wrong about Tom T Well, Evvy's next. Old friends ar
 all to the good. But nix on tht
 mushroom stuff. Norrey, for instance
 How long have you knokn him ?"
 Time isn't what counts, Jim. lti Il loyalty and character. and sympath. and things in-common," I began de
 fensively.
 Well, you'll have nothing m com mon with Norreys if I have anythini to say. He's cray about you, and I won't have it. ,zS t'Why, Jim, he isn't!" I gasped ,gi amazed at the way Jim has brough the conversation around to tho poin Il where he wanted 1t. He s neve