The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-04-13
CHAPTER CG1.


 "I didn't fly to you for protection from Tom" laughed Val. appraising me narrowly between her crinkled eyes. T came out of curiosity. l saintly looking man and the very un- saintiy looking girl with you"
 And now l think that, appear ances to the contrary notwithstand- That girl looks like the sort one wouldn't trust with ones husband. yet I daresay he's harmless. And I've seen that hawk-featured Norreys man flash blue fire at you out of his eyes He's a power-a very success isn't he, Anne?''
 "I suppose so," I replied truth fully. You see I think always of him as a friend - as the spirit of friendShip-not as a man
 "Indeed,' Val put volume into that word. Then she rushed on, ''I don't get you at all, Anne. You aren't like me. You don't do what you de- whats expected You shilly-shally. That's weak Now I take what I want
 What are you trying to suggest to my mind, Val?" I asked quietly, but with my heart behaving unaccounta- bly.
 Nothing - nothing at all Why should I try to put ideas into your head?" asked Val. turning her lacquer black hair in slow negation of my idea. ''I merely meant that with man like Anthony Norreys- a power-at your beck and call, don't see why you take Jim so seri- ously. Now why, for instance did you object to his interest in me - when you had this altogether superior man to make up for it 9"
 "Valerie-you'r jokins!" I pro- tested.
 She laughed. but there was a queer catch in her throat as she replied:
 ttNever more serious And I don't often take the trouble to explain my self to people. You're married to nice boy. Natural that the attention of a man, and such q mana power in the World-shou1d mean a great deal to you. I'm married to a man a power-why begrudge me my fling ways pretend to be mated to a man old enough to be my father
 There was revelation in every word. . sincerity I had never seen her show So no matter how much her ideas revo}ted me I had to give her serious reply.
 'lThe very first day we met you told me you never could have mar power,"I said slowly. i've never forgotten that. l thought your deep respect and admiration for Lane Cos by part of your life, Val Surely you WOufdnI cneapeh d Hldl !4he ChdI or risk losing him for a bit of silly 1arking about?'
 Vars face twisted strangely.
 "Oh, Lanes mine fast enough! And he's the only kind of man I'd have for husband. But that's no reason for refusing a bit of harm less fun :. Jimmie or Tommie or some nice playmate. l always take comes to the reckoning I don't pay the way serious-minded preachers do. You ought to make a note of that"
 Then she flung herself to her feet that I felt represented the other half of her purpose in thrusting herself on me:
 'tBv the way. gentle Annie, I won to a question I was asking Tommie only tonight-Nhy is that little cousin of his so cool to me all of sudden? It can't be because she minded my bringing you in to O. K. her love scene with your brother. She asked me to pour her tea after that But she's very up-stage these days. You don't think she means anything by it, do you?'
 There was a note of anxiety, in vaIs voice. decided to give her honesty for honesty, and to tell her of the rumors Mrs; stoughton and Evvy had unearthed about her and Lane. It would be bad going-it would be awkward and embarrassing to find my way through the morass of innuendo. But telling Val what was said of her would give her a fighting chance to meet it. I knew I had known for some time-that Val ard Lane dreaded something, and now in loyalty to the man who was making Jim financially I felt I had to talk with painful frankness to his wife.
 'eva1, I don't think Evvy Mason would be good enemy" I began, 1,,fn tod
 "Right-o, Baby Face. I guessed that, and now I'll relieve you from guessing about something. My sud- den friendship with cousin Tommie started as a. laying in of shields and buckles against the fair Evelyn. Not