The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-06-24
CHAPTER CCCIN.

When the boy ushered me into Jim'S office I didn't find him alone. With him was the dear old soul I had first met at Valerie Cosby's a few days before.
 Why, it's Uncle Ned!'' I called out. as 1nstinctive1y as if MT PettingiI were my kinsman or a lifelong friend Pm glad to see you. flows Aunt Mollie ?''
 While I was speaking I planted a kiss on the top of JiIn's head in an embarrassed fashion m not in the habit of feeling or showing when strangers are about. And Uncle Ned s shrewd, keen, intensely blue eyes en- veloped me in the same warm, ap- proving fashion the big hand showed when it swallowed mine in greeting.
 My brides right smart" he said; She's traipsing about with our Val today. And she tells me you had wonderful time yesterday in that little car you drive like a regular expert guess you three gals calculate to have some pretty good times together while we camp cn this trail"
 We do," I replied we do, in deed! Aunt Mollie didn't have one bit better tune yeSterday than ulG, and tomorrow we're going to do It again.
 .eNo, you aren't: not just precisely the same," said Uncle Ned, strokInS going to desert the boys for the gals, and you'll find an extra passenger for your party and your car. So long, children, I'll be running along to see if my bride got little Val into any mischief at lunch"
 And with a courtly bow for each of us he seized his wide gray soft hat and made for the door. Jim flung Himself to his feet at once and took his guest out.
 When he returned he made me little bow in friendly imitation of Uncle Ned's, straightening up abruptly with wry smile for his own awkwardneSS-
 ''No use, don't belong to the splendid old school and I can't cope with Uncle Ned. Isn't he won der ?" he demanded, adding with little tweak of my ear And now, Mrs. Harrison, will you tell me to what I am indebted for the pleasure and honor of your company? Have YOU the little car outside? It's a bit early, but I may be able to start be- fore long"
 ''No,'' I replied careless of the car which once gave me so much joy I found vest erday that it still hurts my ankle to drive. So after I've kept tomorrow's engagement with those two old dears I can't disappoint I'm not going to use the car again for week or so. I had lunch with your little field-daisy and I came here to find out about your visit from her
 Jim looked at me searchingly, his eyes seeming to pry into my inner
 If she told you about it, why bring it up again?'' he said
 Just because she told mel be- gan.
 But Jim interrupted, leaning for ward in his chair and putting slow emphasis on each word
 Surely, Anne, you've seen that the child doesn't interest me Shes colorless little nOnentity with whom you insist on pairing me off when your arrange y1our-eNcursions with your old friend, Booth. l have to put up with it. But I'm the one to be hurt-nOt you I've done nothing to justify the little goose in thinking didn't want her breaking in here, and I think she saw that in short order.'
 As the light of Jim's words dawn ed on me I gave a mental gasp, ana did some arithmetic of the sort course when Daisy spoke of trying to retaIiate and Easped out that she couldn't take what was mlne, thought of my ring-not of my nus, been to Jim's office. thought it was to restore the ring-not to try to steal Jim! But his words made 1t clear
 where Daisy and Jim discovered in playing for stakes their first taste in common, she had met him as an equal. For the first time Jim had been cordial to her - respectfui even as he measured her truly expert same against my laundering one. And that had given the girl her idea Her ''reta liz tion'' had been an etfort to ..vamp'' Jim from me, as she in sisted on thinking I was taking Carl from her.
 To Be Continued.)