The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1920-12-28

important enough to have any to handle Surely, surely, I must go into this matter with him. As a matter of fact it was many days before I found my opportunity to discuss an allowance with Jim. 1 In the meantime a number of other | matters surged up to the surface of l life and demanded immediate atten- ton. There was no denying them. so
 my own problems had to be side- | tracked for the time being. i Just before closing time Tom Ma
 son strolled into the canteen and be- l gan looking around in evident search for some one. Carlotta SturgeS came | to his rescue at once. Tray in hand, she smilingly piloted him to the cash
 iers cage. I found myself bristling a
 little with resentment that any one | should take for granted that Tom Ma
 son mus be looking for me, so I
 greeted him with a rather sharpi Good evening. Were you looking
 for some one"
 "I was'' ne replied Approximately.
 putting it up to me again.
 "Wel1?" I asked. no more cordial
 ly than I had at first spoken. All is well' said Tom, and chuck
 ling bit at my discontinue. Take
 your time; I'll wait.''
 Why wait?' I asked in exaspera- l for a young marine with an empty sleeve and brave, cheery eyes .
 Tom, and disappeared outside to re- l ton.
 l Obviously that meant that he was | waiting also for Carlotta, and my blood boiled at the effrontery that ar l ranged a party of four, in which [
 must be paired off with man other l than my own husband, and see anoth-
 CT girl as the partner of the man I
 still regarded as Virginia's husband.
 And the maddening part of It was | that unless I made an absurd scene
 there was no way out.
 Finally the last boy was served, my
 change counted and locked into the
 cash box, and then Tom approached
 me with his handsome gray head
 flung high, but look of shy
 pleading in place of the usual devil
 may-care expression in his dark blue eyes. } T want to see you. Mrs. Jimmie. I
 was hanging around outside waiting and says Jim has commissioned him to fetch you home. So we joined forces l must see you. You won't run away, will you?'' No, won't run away" I replied, wondering if his plea had anything to , do with our encounter that afternoon. I'll be ready in 3 minute" we've got to feed these Canteen- 7 CTS, Pat. Shall it be the Clinsarge? That's nearest" said Tom with the chummiest possible air when CarIotfa ] and I joined them.
 !, Pat agreed and Tom seized my el- bow and began pi1oting me down the street. } "Di7 Jim send you for me ?'' I ask ed breathlessly.
 "Yes, but don't don't let that offend you," replied Tim enigmatically. Then he went on to explain, "I dropped into
 the office, and found West on his way to keep a date with some girls, and Jim booked to take a big new cus- t toner out for an equally big even- ing. I asked where you came in. Jim } said you were playing patriot again
 asked
 and explain that he and this mining man of his might end up in Turkish
 bath, and you needn't be surprised
 if he didn't show up all night.
 'I see," returned ill a voice that I tried to keep from letting Tom know how felt about his being made sage.
 l Exemplary wife!" exclaimed Tom. ) 'She doesn't even ask who hubby s , new customer is-but I'll tell. It's that new western mining man, Lane
 Ccsby-big, outstanding chap about ffty-the fellow who startled the coast 7 seven or eight years ago by marrying 7 little Valerie Demmerals, the old fruit ,. kings daughter No one saw why a l pretty kid with money and position 7 wanted to marry a man almost as old as her father. But they've got along l fine so far" s spite of myself in this very human bit of gossip that seemed impinging t on the edges of my life. 0 "so far! repeated Tom. They've 2 been living in a little town out there a and now they're booked for the Big
 City, The Cosby woman is beautiful, , rich and young-the kind the city :. to watch out for snags, replied ln-
 l."
 i Well, don't see where I come in . tc watch out for snags,1 I replied in . differently.
 : Bv now we had arrived at the Clin- Q | sarge and were following the Captain ' to the corner table, which seemed to . be Pats special possession. As Fat IL picked up the menu and consulted Us = about the order Tom leaned over and answered my last remark as studious- p ly as if it had been a question Il Il "Oh, you're to be Valerie Cosby s guide and mentor when she gets here I in week or so. Jim promised her , husband.
 'l 50; Pm booked as her guide" T stammered, groping for words to hide
 indeed Jim was taking me at my word r and Urea ting me pal" a But all through the , s.eaing ,s s,,ft that ia l.: name Valerie Cosby" kept flashing d back into my mind.
 l. CHAPTER CLNI. e "Im not getting much chance fol u a quiet word alone with you" nuf' n roured Pat toward the end of tho l, dinner. You wouldn't let me walk IS home with you, would you?' " Why not?" I replied. wondering as O I spoke just where this very subduet l, Pat came from.
 Evidently Carlotta also wondered l. for suddenly he broke out on thu e boisterous note that was to me tht J. most grating thing in her whole vivle g. personality:
 Patsy, why the saintly air? Are l. you having a dress-rehearsal of the e bone-dry situation you'll soon have ts o meet %
 Pats face crimsoned and his blue o eyes darkeaed to sombre black. "a could see that Carlotta had at N tackled a vulnerable spot, and
 wondered if his reply would be sea soned with wrath. But when i o came it had the lit of his Irisf re cheer for all it's undercurrent .
 bitterness.
 "Oh. the flash of your eyes vii
 always stimulate me past sobriety IS Alanna. And who knows but tn IT 'r11p that cheers will be bette T. friend to our Pat than ever tn !