The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-06-16
CHAPTER CCcu-

CHAPTER CCCIII
 As Daisy and l were leaving Tom happened which ttreY me off the track and kept me from entering on a oangeIoCs discussion with her.
 l meant to press her on the sub 1ect of her first enthusiasm when Tom ofefred her employment and her subsequent stubborn indifference and She 1efhargy from which none of his amazing insistence that sine think his offer over could stir her. It was just the opening had been looking for. I had only to ask Daisy why she let m e sheer her off in moment or two and she would let slip some tei1-taie word about nay acting as if I didn't want her there, Then I'd ask her how she thought could stand sponsor for her. and we'd drift into a, discussion of honesty. The confession Of fler theft of my pearl ring would follow auto maica{ly and inevitably. 1 felt sure of that.
 Planning all this, I led the way down the dark stairs to the street ed for me how the -f11est laid plans of mice and men gang aft ag1ey.' For there-Wafking down the avenue to- getheF were Virginia and Sheldon Blake.
 was sure Virginia saw me jest as caught my glimpse Of her. But Tn another nent she had made a lit tie gesture of exclamation. and was drawing Sheldon to look at an exhibi- ton of watereo1OFS in a bookshop window. And she held him there un- til we got by. wondered if Sheldon had seen me out Of the tail of his eye and if-eFen while submitting 10 VlrS1n1a-he was wondering what was wrong in our family.
 The incident upset me And so I didn't try to manage Daisy, but let her manage me and the conversation to suit herself. I had @ sudden dis couraged feeling that whatever night Pat and Virginia had been so near--and today. with Virginia sa un- tering down the avenue accompanied by Sheldon Blake, Pat had neved been perfectly well was his hearts desire.
 Daisy and I parted in a stale verg- ing on aniable n1isUnderstanding. I wOnd dered if the incident of Toms shop had been closed for all time by her veneer of indifference. If know Tom Mason as well as 1 thought I did. her manner had merely insured a little urging from him. I wondered what Daisy would do then? Defy me? Refuse him again with a final 1ty even he couldn't doubt? Or find she 1onsed for the opportunity Tom had to offer and yet realized that it came through me and that many fhngs were coming to her through until the situation between us was cleared up
 . had to leave Daisy and Virginia. too, in a manner of speaking, on the lap of the gods And I felt it best to discuss neither them nor the incidents of the day with Jim The ring mys- tery had to see through by myself inside of a week---Or let Jim and Jus I couldn't torment Jim by mentioning daer and her latest performance.
 But it turned out that I needn't have troubled myself to come to any hs3r nd 10 5ects of what Jim and I would or wouldn't discuss at the table. For when got home Jim was there ahead of me, and he met me with the an that we were going to have dinner with Valerie and Lane Cosby much pfqued. I'm to forget the way Val has ignored me ever since that first might she took care of me and my sprained ankle, and I, and trot she hadn't been negIectfuI and rude2 I won't go, Jim I don't approve of letting Val think she can blow hot or cold at will and get away with it" Jim. staring at me aggressively. -'rThen I'll have to go without you, for I've accepted for both of us
 ''Al1 right Go afead!'' I snapped you'll have to learn not to be so high-handed about making engage ments without consulting me I won't stand it.
 s'That's twice you've informed me what you would and wouldn't do,'' re p1ned Jim cuttinEly. "A fine help mate you are to q man who is trying to get somewhere in the world and needs all the influential friends he can make. I just need to have you queer me with the COSbys because Val didn't dance attendance when you sat around nursing your twisted ankle.'
 "A nice sympathetic husband l have" I began with much dignity and a feeling of being misunderstood and abused. but Jim broke in:
 'Ail right, don't go. We'll agree that it's high-handed for me to make arrangements without consulting you But that goes both ways Ffty-fffty- And you needn't expect me to keep that date you made with your won d derfuIIy important friends, the adver- Using solicitor and the stenographer- That's off, too"
 "You srobl' cried. exploding with wrath "You're as bad as Virginia''-
 (To Be Continued-)