The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-03-24
CHAPTER CCxxxvII


 Leaving Phoebe alone to accustom herself to the reality of the bad dream she was not to escape waking or sleeping, I went out to greet the Cosbys.
 Valerie's smooth complacency had never struck me more vivfdly. Her costume of rich henna-colored tri- colette chung to her 1.-the figure like a caress and, every proud glance with which Lane mantled her was a careSs too. She radiated well-being Life seemed going out of it's way to please her. And under her creamy smooth ness of exterior I senseed the ruthless egotism that was making life go out of it's way to please her. We've come to teach you bridge" rumbled the big brown bear. Maybe since JiTns out little sister-in-law would make fourth she's lyd1lg down. Bad head | ache,'' I explained, fierce to protect Phoebe.
 .~Too bad,' yawned Val. "She looks | delicate. Subject to such things?' "Who looks delicate?" demanded Jim's voice from the doorway. 1 "Oh, Jimmie-now nice!" cried Val in a. voice that spread honey over the words. We didn't hear you come | in. What is home without our Jim mie?"
 | Jim went over and shook the hand she held up almost as if she expected | it to be kissed. Then he wrung the | brown bears heavy paw
 This is great, Cosby. You're the | very man I want to see. Suppose we trot back to the den and have a busl- ness chat if the girls don't mind"
 As he spoke Jim laid his hand lightly on my shoulder. It lasted only ! a second, but it was a dear careSs for it bespoke understanding.
 Val flashed a glance and a bout al Jim.
 ssBut we do mind. We want to play v1fI why shouldn't you talk business be fore us, Jimmie? Lane trusts me Of whom are you afraid?''
 Im's fingers frightened on my shoulder before he took them away
 s.B1-fdge in half an hour, Valerie if Anne cares to have a try at it The den now-whi1e the male animal sec whats left of a bone I've beer Anne ?'' he added carelessly. thougl IT knew ed been dying to ask jus that from the minute he came in.
 ssShe's lying down. Headache" she door between the den and oui bedroom is shut You might dis
 .iBetter stay here and discuss you' old business said Val, selecting cigarette carefully from a gold ,.. case please, Mister host. An, thanks! As I was saying, no use waking the child if she's asleep. She's such wisp of a girl, Jimmie. she added puff1ng her cigarette at him and sinking her voice to tone of warm intimacy.
 Jim turned from Val, and his eyes sought mine. They asked a question but they seemed also to be confirm ing something he expected me to un' derStand.
 ."Then it was Phoebe you called deicate?" he asked as if he were thinking aloud.
 "Oh, just growing Like al youngsters at sixteen or so. A bi II weedy,'' laughed Lane kindly. For fraction of second Jim eyes met mine again, but he didn' correct the big brown bear and tel i him Phoebe was nearly eighteen In stead he swung away from the sub ject.
 After all, vaI-you and Anne vii surely get the news from us defense less men-fo1ks later. So might a: we'll out with it now. You girls hat better haul out your solitaire decks il case business pores you. Cosby ligh a cigar and puff on Hhis-The firm O Harrison, West & Go. goes out O