The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-04-25
CHAPTER CTXI.

"Hunches'' or prenonitions are out
 of my line, Yet it was a shunch'' that Tom Mason and Dick West.
 When Jim had his final interview with Dick West--the interview that EtGu tion lo seVe6lng Inelr @ pusIness deia5 ao break bread with the man in order to make SUITE of that elusive person. That had been for Phoebe. Surely mustn't hesitate to make similar dis tasteful arrangements for Jim's sake. Of course, didn't trust Tom Mason, teven protesting that he wanted to ways the chance that West might ac- stually persuade him to try to put Ssomething over on Jim. If my lunch Sing with the two fine gentlemen would fnilitate against this, it was distinctly fworth while to be present
 So put my personal reactions to fthe two out of my mind and went to learn Vests plot against Jim and fTom's reasons for warning me of it
 When I got to the appointed meet ling place found Tom waiting alone. I said to myself, and some of my sscorn for his cheap trick showed in 5Iny face no doubt, for Tom replied as If had spoken aloud:
 aI made the appointment fifteen sminutes later with West than with you, Donna Anna. Partly, as I must confess, because wanted to snatch R few moments with you from Fate. But-unlattering as it would seem to most women-more because I want West to come fin and find us together .3n this nice green tapestry lobby"
 My suspicious took flame from that. ;Tut I practiced restraint for a mo- ,mene and Toms next words made me glad had done so.
 ''I don't mind my reputation, where l~onaen are concerned-since with or without it I never had a chance to 'mean-anything to you," he contin- eued. -But, by jininy, I do cherish my business reputation. It's a rep -utation for integrity, and I've done as t1nuch to earn it as I have to merit tsuspected-that of taking my fun '1where find it, as our friend Kipling n1as sung
 ,curtly.
 Tom turned to me with a sincerity | couldn't question. even though I so heartily disliked it's inspiration.
 Why do tell youAthat I'm with a, bitter laugh 'tBecause T. was different in any feeling for you. They were-decent. Of course. you couldn't see that. You have the old woman marries she ceases to be a woman to other men-and becomes merely a wife. All right, respect that, but only because have to. as I'm ready to co1dness- Even so. don't want you to think the feelings I had for you were tawdry or ficile I don't want you to think that if l turn to another woman, she means to me what you might have meant. Now my cards are on the table. Things are clear between us. I've given up hoping you'll ever care for me And Pm not going to permit myself to care for you-that way But I can't stop respecting you and want ing to be your friend-
 From Mason I said with a cer- tain respect for his honesty, even though his attitude toward women and love and marriage was com Dletely repelIant to me. "1 thank you for speaking so clearly - and so plainly It makes me understand -yhy you asked me to meet you to- l day
 ..Yes Dick West has approached xo1I with some business proposition | that might work Jim great harm Vou.ve asked Jim'S wife to be here .s witness to your unwillingness. to s7e part of that scheme. And you've planned to surprise West with her he will see vour friendly loyalty to the Harrisons and your scorn of