The Bridgeport times and evening farmer. (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1918-1924, 1920-08-31

cousin Evelyn. It would have seemed
f11-bred and childish to discuss the
situation, or even to call it a situation.
I'm not going to bother you with
the menu card, Fair-tenant-to-be.
I've 1unched at this place for FIVE
years, and 1 know it's specialties. Say
we start with hors d 'ouvre and then
have q casserole chicken with fresh
vegetables, hearts of lettuce with Rus
sian dressing, pastry and a demi-
tasse. Does that sound tempting. Do
you think it's the sort of lunch with
which landlord may dnveig1e a ten
anti" asked Mr.. Mason.
It sounds like a wonderful lunch.
But didn't think landlords struggled
to get tenants nowadays. I had an
idea homeless folks fairly bribed land.
lords to let them come and occupy
the premises I replied. after the lit
tie interval it took Mr.. Mason to con-
vey his order to the waiter.
His manner to servants was crisp
a1d tmpersonal. Even In dealing
with a cross eyed old newspaper
woman or a little darkey elevator
boy, Jims voice and air were warm
and bantering. That was part OF his
charm. wondered where my boy
was 1unching in Washington and with
whom.
I brought myself back with a start.
There was all Of a long, lonely after
noon and evening ahead; they would
be dedicated to missing Jim. A tonic
bit of enjoyment and forgetting would
equip me to face them more coura-
geously. So gave myself completely
to the sway Of that hour. with its de-
licious food. golden atmosphere and
stimulating companionship. Mrs. Ma
son talked of "shoes and ships and
sealing-wax" delightfully."- and with a
hattering air of being delighted. Over
the coffee cups Mr.. Mason made
suggestion:
Nov that you're right in the
neighborhood wouldn't it be wise to
look at the apartment again? I'd
really like you to have the little place
| If it appeals to you. And if I don't
have to risk its standing empty all
| tempting terms
| That's a very wise SUGGESTION I
| replied.
| But-was it?
In the hallway of Mr.. Masons
building We passed a "we1l-preserved"
| looking woman of at least SIS. She
| gave the impression of expecting one
| "Oh, Mrs. Warden, are you really
| serious about an apartment? I've
another that would suit you much
better, if you're coming to town this
| to think her nearer 40 than sos She
put up her 1orgnette and studied US
| with serene rudeness. Then she spoke
| rather superci1iously:
| 1--WE been looking at the apartment.
Tommy. I decided I'll have it from
the first of October. A hundred you
| said-wasn't it,
Mr.. Mason smiled with unruffled
arniability. ....
| winter"
But I want this, Don't show it to
| another tenant ordered the woman,
turning crimson under her rouge
'Sorry, dear lady. This one is
taken from the first of July. My old
friend Jimmy Harrison has the re-
fusa1 of it,
/ "oh, the chap your cousin Evelyn
i threw over when he went tun1bling
into the European war a few years
ago. What is he going to do with an
establishment" asked the woman
in a. tone which made me feel as if !
had been struck by the fat of her
pudgy white hand.
Mrs. Harrison is going with me
Enow to look at the apartment re-
turned Mr.. Mason. in a cold tone,
which Mrs. Warden evidently took as
an introduction.
"Oh-Mrs. Harrison! And so you re
the girl who snatched up Evvys beau.
T heard something about an up-to-
date courtship and a modern wife.
Quite modern. should say. my
DEAR
Her glance was poisonous-though
she hid it beneath smile. 1t asked
how the husband I had 'snatched up
was amusing himself-it cast ugly as
PERSONS on love and marriage and all
fine feelings. It sneered at truth and
loya1ty-that glance.
| (To Be Continued.)
White miners at Coutervi1le, Ills,
refused TO work with a negro and