davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer. (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1918-1924, 1920-08-30

She treated him as she did all other
men. She was pleasantly agreeable,
nothing more. Only her hostess at the
dinner table knew that she was not
real widow. merely the often abused
divorced woman" who had taken her
maiden name.
When dinner was over and the men
lingering for while over their liquors
and cigars had finally gone in search
Of the women, Ned blanchard looked
vainly around the drawing room for
Lenore Wallace. A French window
opened on the terrace and through It
he caught sight Of white gown flut-
tering outside.
Before him stretched a flower gar
den where delicately tinted cosmos,
dahlias and late roses still courage
ously Haunted their blossoms, although
there was a hint of early frost in the
air. He followed Lenore down a
winding gravel path to stone bench
before a. fountain where the falling
water dropped like sparkling jewels
in the moonlight.
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer. (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1918-1924, 1920-08-30
By Phil Moore

pered to her that he would proba bly,
be in town a week, land drew for him
self an invitation to dine the following
evening. Once outside, Forrest shook
his head deiectedly.
ITS durn shame!" he complained.
"She'd be great card. Well 1 guess
we'll go back tonight without her.
There, there" soothed Pete, don't
give up. Look here, I'm going to stay
here while longer. Maybe can land
her"
A week later Forrest received the
following telegram:
Thompson is coming with me to-
morrow. Bill her with Fossett, Dugan
and Bates. PETE"
Forests brow wrinkled. 1t would
be great fizz1e to bill her9up in the
papers and then have her desert him.
So he shot back another wire to Fos-
sett: "Are you sure she'll stick? ?"
The answer was brief, but convinc-
ing: "she ought to. She promised me-
before a preacher"
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer. (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1918-1924, 1920-08-30

perfunctorily and to keep right on
tipping, as if her salary depended on
getting that sheet through the ma
chine with all speed. She had known
that she was playing with fire when
she accepted an invitation to his home,
but when girl is just twenty-five,
pretty, in love, and the year is at the
spring-what can one expect even if
she is clever enough to always use her
head.
isn't it lovely here" she asked
quite composedly, veering the CONVEX
sation away from the unpleasant cpl
sode, 1.-The sunshine on the apple trees,
the birds darting in and out-we are
very far from the office today, aren't
We?'
81 wanted to kick Mayfeld for put
ting his arm around you while ago,
but if you don't turn here and let me
tell you how much I love you"
A bird seemed to be singing in her
heart Naneen's breath came fast, un-
evenly-then memory stabbed her
fleeing happiness with recollection OF
her employers statement at breakfast
about Betty Galloway.
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer. (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1918-1924, 1920-08-30

She turned to him, her face wan in
the moonlight. >"For three years I
have smiled at the world, new world
into which I forced myself, far from
the scenes of my one time happiness.
But through it all my heart has been
manned and crushed, like a bird with
broken wings that struggles valiantly
yet vainly, to fly again. To forget is
impossible Someone has wisely said
that man disappointed in love locks
that room in his heart dear to the old
love and throws away the key, but a
woman brushes the cobwebs from the
door and returns again and again, to
dream the old dreams"
II love you, Lenore," he said. lifting
her hand to his lips. 81 love you.
swear that I will live to make you
happy"
"You!" she cried accusingly. you,
who took my happiness away! Oh,
the irony of life, that you should come
to me, after all these years and say, I
love you Why Ned, you don't know
what love means.
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer. (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1918-1924, 1920-08-30
MU
By Elsie Endicott

wise and utterly lonely, was there in
his place. Motherhood, long denied.
stirred in her heart, the heart that she
had schooled herself to believe could
hold only the dust of her youthful
dreams.
"Of course" he said in tone that
brought a lump to her throat and q
mist of tears blur her eyes 81 can't
expect you to come back to mel have
made what the world calls success, but
it is gall and NORWOOD without you.
"And if I come back to you?" she
whispered breathlessly.
The sweet humility in the eyes he
lifted, the gentleness in his touch as
he held her in his arms again, told
more eloquently than words how much
he really loved her Your little world
will claim you. Tony Mcclure says
that half the men here are in love with
YOU" he began jealousy. Can make
you happy?"
ga bird whose wings have been
broken never tries to fly high nor far,
Ned, dear" she said softly.
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer. (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1918-1924, 1920-08-30
How He Helped Matters Along

arm and turned toward a little knoll
beyond which an orchard offered a
paradise of drifting loom.
Naneen breathed deeply and threw
out her arms in a gesture Of happy
abandon. To her establishment, Bob
Mayf1eld put an arm around her care
lessly. Come on, you pretty thing, -
he draw1ed quietly, I'm going to kiss
you. You've got me going"
Naneen was quick as fash. A
business girl knows we'll enough how
to protect herself without making a
scene. When she had told young May
field, who was a millionaire's son and
therefore considered himself a privi-
legged character, just what she thought
of him and his kind, she whirled blind
ly into the orchard. There she found
an old seat built around a gnarled ap-
pie tree and she dropped down on it,
her knees trembling SO that she was
glad to rest for minute.
you ran away from me, dfdn' t
your" Don Munsen sat down beside
her. Then soberly. "I heard every
word you said to Mayhe1d. I wanted
to thrash him within an inch of his
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer. (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1918-1924, 1920-08-30
He Made 1t Binding Contract

further explained, to Fossett's glee,
that she was the rival of any "per-fes-
sional singer on the stage" He re-
tired reluctantly, and Miss Fannie
Thompson appeared. Fossett, expect
antly awaiting "Silver Threads Among
the Gold" by lin1pid soprano of
doubtful age, sat up with a start.
Great guns!" he whispered, hoarse-
ly, to Forrest, "but she's winner"
Forrest, however, made no answer,
for as the orchestra swung into the
opening strains of a late popular hit,
and the girl started to sing, he sat as
If dazed Where in the name of
Heaven did that girl come from? such
personality, and such winsome vivaci-
ty! At the conclusion of her act, For
rest, silently and dreamily, grasped
Fossett's arm and led him to the street.
Once outside, Forrest turned to Fos-
sett with look of wonder.
"Man alive!" he cried, that girls
a knockout. Why, she'll fill the Olym-
pia to standin' room. She's a find.
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer. (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1918-1924, 1920-08-30

be carried upstairs by servants and al
most every man was too utterly fool
ish to carry on any sort Of CONVEX
sation. This was the life, then, that
she had read about and envied:- con-
sidered Naneen thoughtfully, as she
looked around the room at the girls,
lounging indolently on chairs and di-
vans, putting at cigarettes.
1t was quite early the next morning
when, in a chic serge suit and stout
brown walking-boots, Naneen awaited
herself of her hostess suggestion to
get up and look over the farm bit If
she did not like to sleep late. She
found her pleasant employer and his
good-looking son at breakfast. Both
men rose quickly, greeting her cor
daily, and she experienced her first
real pleasure at the much anticipated
house party while she sat at the table
with them. She announced her inten-
ton of taking a brisk walk, whereup-
on the younger Munsen asked to &C
company her. While he was gone
upstairs to get into a pair of high
boots, her old employer aimed broad
side at her.
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer. (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1918-1924, 1920-08-30


posed Mabel Needham, 1.-THE woman is
always to blame. You are narrow
minded, Tony"
well, a woman can do whatever she
pleases with a man, and you know it"
said Tony, warmly.
There is one thing that do know.
If every woman knew man like you
there would be more old maids like
am in the world and fewer unhappy
married women"
You're not an old maid" argued
Tony. You're just the right age. old
enough to have some sense"
eff you two are not careful. we will
be buying your wedding presents with
in a year." said the pretty, generous
young widow. who had made her home
among them for three years.
Tony ,grinned cheerful1y at her. you
can say the incest things, Mrs. Wal
lace. If it were not for Mabel now,
would propose to you" He winked
openly at Ned blanchard, for the
young engineer had evidently fallen in
love with Lenore Wallace on sight.
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer. (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1918-1924, 1920-08-30
Fires That Have Burned Out


WARN enough?" he asked. sitting
down beside her Somewhat clumsily
he pulled the armine stole she wore
closer around her bare shoulders.
She did not answer him. Her eyes
were on the flowers around her, flow
ers whose fragrant petals were drift
ing down at every little. breeze that
ripp1ed over the garden.
IL am in1ove with you. You know
you must have seen"
DON'T" she exclaimed YEARLY.
Then, after a pause, Each of US has
the capacity for one great passion in
life. When that has been dissipated,
there is nothing left but the ashes of
a burned out fire When they were in
nocently discussing divorce at the Ia
BILE tonight, I wanted to cry out, How
can you argue questions Of which you
know nothing. have been through
the mill. There are scars burned in
to my flesh"
TELL me-" whispered Ned Planch-
ard, tell me, did you love as deeply
as that?"
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer. (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1918-1924, 1920-08-30
By Abner Anthony

Il can't listen She jumped up
and turned quickly from him only to
encounter his father, who had planted
himself squarely in the way.
Whats this?" he demanded.
"She doesn't-care," said Don.
Naneen could not endure the pain IN
his voice SO she looked up at him, her
eyes blurred with tears. "Your father
told me that you were engaged to Bet
ty Galloway"
why, Dad, yo-you"
The senior Munsen took a very
small, cold hand and patted it as he
placed it in his sons hand, eagerly
stretched out clasp it. you see,"
he explained, "I wanted to help Don
along you've never even appeared to
notice him in the office and SO I
thought, perhaps, you would think
better of him if some other girl seem
ed to want him."
Naneen smiled radiantly at him.
"Why, I suppose every girl wants
Don,'' she said with the world old
conceit of the species over the male
who happens to pause when he passes
her way.
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer. (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1918-1924, 1920-08-30

life, but if he has an ounce of gray
matter, he won't need anything but
telegram calling him away from here
today. You're very wonderful gill
to me, Naneen."
If there is one thing that hunts
girl more than anything else in life.
it is to have the man with whom she
Is in love and who is ostensibly not
for her, compliment her. For two
years, every time Don Munsen had
entered his fathers private office, Ma
neen had felt that all of the blood in
her body was beating in her small
ears. Every time she had heard him
call some girl over the telephone to
make engagements, she had wanted to
scream, but instead, because she was
a clever girl who always used her
head, she had never by the Pickering
of an eyelid let him know what he
mattered to her any more than the
old janitor. One day, just week or
two before the house party, he had
brought her a bunch of violets. She
had been so overwhelmed, so utterly
hapy that she was almost speeches.,
but she had been able to thank him
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer. (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1918-1924, 1920-08-30

I'm going to book her up"
Wake up. you're asleep" ridiculed
Fossett. why, there amt chance
CT you coaxing her away from here.
But I've got to hand it to you, she's
wonder. And pretty, weli-I think
I'll stay over a while"
The next morning Forrest got the
address of Miss Thompson from the
cigar clerk, and, accompanied by Fos-
sett, who had been impatiently trying
to get the manager started for up
wards of two hours, they departed for
the Thompson home.
They were gracious1y received, but
their proposition met with decided
chill. Playactin', asserted Mother
Thompson, was all right in its place.
but she didn't want her girl to be an
actress. They coaxed and pleaded, but
to no avail. Fossett, however, by his
power of persuasion, and helped by his
really likable self, that Fannie wasn't
long in finding out, gained in her a
possible ally to their plans. He whis-
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer. (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1918-1924, 1920-08-30

TT ELP! Murder! The police!"
~ exclaimed Fossett, disgust
eddy, as he rejoined Mr.. and
Mrs. Dan Dugan on the hotel porch.
FORESTS goin'' to lay over in this hole
another day. I knew no good would
come in bookin' this tank route. We
ought to be back at the Olympia and
good old Broadway. I'm dyin' of dry
rot in this dump" And he pumped
himself into a willow rocker despon-
IDENTIFY.
Mrs. Dan, Dugan, otherwise known
and publicly billed the night before at
the opera house as Bates, of Fossett,
Dugan and Bates, Those Different
Dancers" grinned and patted Fossett
On the knee.
Hold in there, Bill" she admopish-
ed. It'll do your system a powerful
lot of good to miss the giddy going for
another day. Lets have little game.
mix, never. no." protested Fossett,
positively. I'm going to get the col
nan and go down Main street and kid
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer. (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1918-1924, 1920-08-30

He caught her in his arms and held
her head against his throbbing, heart.
81 have been utterly miserable every
minute since let you go, Lenore. We
were young, foolish, inexperienced--'
me then. Now that you have achieved
success, gratified your ambition,
reached your goal
IoJ eJJ LnoI u! eoeId gu peu noA,
II agonized for a fading CROWN" he
told her sadly "I wanted to work
work for you, of course, and you
thought that I neglected you for a
within, a mere selfish purpose to ad-
vance myself in my profession. Girl,
DEAR" he lapsed into old lover-like en-
dearments, when a man finds the one
woman, he longs to succeed to lay his
1aurels at her feet. We quarrelled
about 1t once. Let's begin all over
again! Success is nothing, life is moth
ing-without you'll"
He released her abruptly and leaned
forward, head in his hands. The ar
rogant, selfshly important boy she
had loved was gone. A man, sadly
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer. (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1918-1924, 1920-08-30

aloud, $50 glad it's the real thing.
had my doubts. I must get to him at
once"
Mrs. Mexican cornered Henry in an
alcove of the reception room just aft
er they had received the guests in due
formality.
Henry, my son." she said softly, a
light of affection in her eyes, "it isn't
SO at all. She is our baby-little Ny
ra. I was Just testing you to find out
how much you really did love her.
Willard had told me your ideas of life.
and I experimental on your love with
the acid test. Will you forgive me"
she asked sweetly
And Henry, taking her soft, smooth
face between his hands, kissed her
reverently.
But wait till I get Willard he
grinned. rushing off in his direction
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer. (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1918-1924, 1920-08-30

- LOVE you better than anything
in the world" said Henry Forbes
-. as he pressed kiss upon the lips
of the girl who had just accepted him.
1t was a balmy summer evening,
Myra Mexican was like girl in
fairy story.
once again he crushed her to him.
It seemed as if he were kissing each
one of her silky brown curls. Then
espyfng some one just entering the
italian portola at the other end of the
GARDEN he suddenly released his new
" acquired possession and he and
Myra fastened toward the porto1a.
Myra's father and mother were seated
there. And it was with joyous trt-
umphant ring in Henry's voice he told
of the engagement, adding at the end
with your consent, of course"
There isn't a more ideal young man
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer. (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1918-1924, 1920-08-30

You met Miss Betty Galloway last
night, didn't your he began lazily,
Charming girl! I don't mind telling
you" here he leaned confidently to-
ward her-"I want Don to marry her.
Truth of the matter isl have reason
to believe that they are already en-
gagged"
Indeed" said Naneen looking the
old man steadily In the eye. She felt
the blood flame into her face. Her
employer was taking care to see that
she read the mo poaching" sign on his
handsome son. She made few agree
able remarks. touched On the weather.
the beauty of the meadows sean from
the breakfast room window, and COM
mented with rare good judgment on
his prize stock that she had noticed
the day before when she came down
Then she excused herself and went
swinging off down a gravel path be-
tween rows Of early tulips. To her
surprise. she encountered Bob May
field at the end of the path.
i've been here watching for you
for an hour. You certainly made hit
with me last night" He caught he1
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer. (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1918-1924, 1920-08-30

away.
Five minutes later they were in the
1ostling holiday-bedecked throng in
front OF the church. Neither was
recognized. for Fossett's makeup the
night before had laborately concealed
his features, while Forrest was only
the manager, and therefore not previ-
ously in evidence. They ensconced
themselves comfortably in two seats
well front, and managed to take
snickering interest in the first part of
the program, similar as it was, in ev-
cry respect, to the average of it's kind.
Then the Sunday-chool superinten-
dent, an important little man with i'm
pressive "sideboards" and oflciously
acting as stage manager, call-boy,
stage carpenter, electrician and stage
hand, authoritatively assumed unto
himself the additional splendor of an
nouncing that "the next feature (accen-
tuatng the last eyllable) on our pro-
gram will be Miss Fannie Thompson,
of whom we are all so proud" He
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer. (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1918-1924, 1920-08-30

the rubes BIT" He rose, yawned
loudly and ambled into the lobby.
lacking over to the cigar stand, where
Forrest was critically hunting for a
familiar smoke. he deliberately divert
ed the attention Of the young girl from
Forrest.
Miss, where's any excitement" he
asked. leaning over the case with a
friendly smile.
II beg your pardon" she replied. in
nocently. What do you mean?"
"Just this" he persisted. This
gentleman here has sentenced me to
another days exile from my native
heath, which is, broad concrete thor
oughfare spoken of often as Broadway.
I wish to keep the sunny smile and
amuse myself. So the best little thing
you can do for this tired business
man, which is me, is to tell me where
I can be amused tonight. Me and my
rural friend, Mr.. Forrest, here"
Forrest, having dined luxuriously
over the first chemically pure fried
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer. (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1918-1924, 1920-08-30

- r AMEN cherished no illusions
~ about the smart set after the
formal dinner that had ush-
cred in the gaities for the house party
Of which she was the only Insignificant
member. She had been private sec
rotary to Mr.. Munsen, of Munsen Com
pany and Son, for two years. when the
Munsens began planning an elaborate
week end entertainment at their coun-
try place for a group of their sons
friends, and to her pleasant surprise,
bhe found herself included in their list
pf guests.
On receiving the invitation. Naneen
spent one entire Saturday afternoon
buying the frivolous things for which
she had never before had any need.
The first evening at the Munsens she
had dressed herself carefully, her
young heart beating high with the
thought that she was to associate for
three whole, days with the cultured
sons and daughters of the city's richest
men. ~!
Her establishment came very
swiftly. Two of the girls drank SO
much wine at dinner that they had to
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer. (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1918-1924, 1920-08-30

chicken he'd had for a year, and feel
ing in a good humor. chuckled. The
girl, however, felt little nettled over
Fossett's manner, feeling in some in
stinctively way that he was "joshing'
her. 1T don't know whether it would
interest you or not" she replied with
Icy sweetness, but there's a little en-
tertainment down at the Baptist
Church tonight. Even you might en-
joy it,
Fossett WINGED, while Forrest gave
him sharp dig in the midrib.
"Score one for the little lady
shouted Forrest. "She's called you,
Pete"
Fossett grinned sheepfshly.
"I guess you're right" he admitted
with laugh. BUY yourself that big
box of chocolates and charge it to me
little girl. I'm stung.
Come on, Pete urged Forrest
Lets take in the big show. Let's go
now and get a front seat" And he
grasped Fossett's arm and led him
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer. (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1918-1924, 1920-08-30
r>HERh -I4s few legitimate rea-
sons for divorce. according to

sons for divorce. according to
my way of thinking" said
Natalie Thurston, failing to see her
hostess signal to steer the conserva-
ton into less dangerous channels eff
married people keep their heads, there
Is always possible solution of any
human problem Do you agree, Mr..
Planchard?" she asked the brilliantly
successful civil engineer. who had re-
Gently undertaken a big piece Of con-
struction work near the city.
Divorce is a very debatable sub
5ect," he answered, enigmaticaIly.
I'm a great many cases divorce is
caused by the fckleness of women"
said Tony Mcclure. "They are rest
less. They want new emotions. Why,
even old mother Eve left father Adam
to listen to the wiles of the DEVIL
laughed Tony. ct am a bachelor be-
cause I am afraid that I am not clever
enough to hold the slippery affection
Of any lady fair" =
Judging by your remarks" inter
The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1920-02-09
POLLARD


AnsNsg n9 the aRss uid question, th'
sohrlrN o. witch has dumped phiioso
nhers ald followers of oneulilsm into
4 tined sHsnce. o W CHfnih creator
81 "The nlrth e = Nation. einioler
ancs. and other flln -ehsailnns. Will
present hi iasiesi creation fhr
NroafeV QuesuHn" at The iollaul
Theatre
srliil,h ufeeenlal "a a. biz latest
speeiacl, wiz mark lhe l.ukias ol The
worlds mosi famoa. cinema producer
With ihe First National Exhibitors
Circuit which has contracted for the
distribution - numbef Of eeial at
fractions hy y " afilnth
A. tho basic theme Tor bis triumph
81 offering. Griffin haf selected prob
abs ,ho most powerful iheme the hu
man mind could suggest Ina vvof
QUE mafirf-Of fatf WAY he takes up
ghs question ~ lh' hereafter Whether
ihere IL a divine Providence has ans
Nets mothcff' pasols and whether
GOOD people Esf their rewards and
whp'hef msrI'sd Punishment over
faksa the efil
Adventure ~ Ruth ~ sua reels
Two-reei comcdy. aisphes and Rob.
bsrs"
The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1920-02-09
MONDAY
"rrU ceEATEsr QUESTION:"
fln Seven Reele4
TrE oRCArGSr QUESTION: or
bLL AGES IS piCruRizEO BY
oRIprirH M NEWEST rlIs
Master Director Bases Great orsmaiic
Story On Problem Of the
Hereafter.

Those who expect q picture that
taxes The meEsaiify 20 follow are
scheduled for disappointment IN 'rue
Griffin fashion the story isHes place
o. farm among q wfetshedly aur
bat happy family Of rural Icople The
war deprives the family III n support
afforded ~ IN. only aon The pray.
era % q mother and her auppisasions
tor the safe refarn ~ her hoy ap-
pafeniiy 70 .nheedci The Youth j.
sgept from the coming tower d n
.sabmaFinc when he refers death ~
sell -sacFiiice 10 risklAg Ia. Aus 81
other members of The under safef
efsft'E crew Tbe shock OF iha hd'f
desth shakes Tho failh Of the entire
family Then revelation. bfoaght
about Ia typical crffth style
brings the family 20 o state thai would
even b. . surprise 20 the FOREMOST
espcnrntf y III AT ~ nyaiicisIn
GDnmont News
snub Pollard comsdy. ''IIos ngy
An"
30 advoncc. open ! 80 to G 20