The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-03-10
CHATTER CCXxH.

SA&AAAs
 We were booked to start for Ma son Towers early Saturday morning, so had only time for a wee tele- phone chat with Phoebe. suppose this was just as we'll, for in my first bitterness at JiIn's lack of faith in me I might have b1urted out the facts which were unpleasant and would have yorded themselves about like this:
 Phoebe, Jim can't-or won't understand the Dick West situation | There's no record of your transac- 1 tions on the books of the company, so he won't believe they ever took place. And he thinks his partner is a very eligible man whom you would do well to marry. This is all the help we can count on from Jim."
 Naturally over the phone I didn't commit myself like that. I just list ened to Phoebe's happy assurance that my check was already indorced over the West, and offered her my as surance in turn that as soon as we got back I'd see her and we'd de- next was to be hadn't the least Iidea-
 My own personal '<nexf was to hurry down stairs and join Jim, who had gone ahead to take our bags down to the waiting Cosby automobile When I got down to the street there sat Tom Mason in the Cosby car on livery chummy terms with Valerie and Lane. I hadn't expected to enjoy the party, and Toms presence didn't change the prospects for the better.
 "The nice people picked me up. ' he explained. ''Evvy's gone out ahead in her roadster. Who was with Efvvy in that road ster no one said. Perhaps no one knew. But when he arrived at Ma son Towers, a great rambling coun- try place, Neal sat on the veranda with Evvy, waiting for us. He call ed a greeting to Jim in the most matter-of-fact way imaginable This ing for, and yet I got no pleasure from their reconciliation since took place under Evelyn Ma sons auspices. Seeing Neal there on the steps with his red curls un- flung in the old boyish way made mt remember Phoebe too vividly-Phoe
 be, with her head bowed over a glas: | of fruit lemonade she couldn't drinl because it reminded her of Neal ant the happiness they'd once known.
 Hello. everyone!'' greeted Evvy
 Here we are a nice little famal,
 party, and if you don't all act as i
 place I'll hate you. Oh. yes-intro
 auctions are in order. Neal tells m
 he doesn't know Anne's new neigh
 bora Very unneighbor1y I call i
 for Anne to keep her niee brother
 secret from you, Mrs. Cosby.
 Back of the purr in Evvy's vofc,
 I felt the scratch. And I caught he
 looking significantly at Valerie Cos
 by as she presented Neal.
 Hands off!'' Evvy added tin an ex
 poaehing! Neai's my partner.
 ought to have one for you, MT. Coso. for, of course, cousin Tommie wfl
 claim his Donna Anna. Still t1fnl
 you and I have-a lot to talk over
 It was all said very lightly witt
 the air of wide-eyed innocence Evv,
 reserves for her most daring re
 marks Everyone laughed, but ]
 for one, knew Evvy meant what sh
 said-and more Lane Cosby look
 ed from Val to Evvy. There was question in his quick glance.
 l For luncheon and the early after y noon we all stayed together. Bu presently Evvy disappeared to return r in a sprightly sweater and tam. Meal and I are going canoeing, a she announced. "There are plent , of boats for everyone. And tennis
 That path to the left of the gat l leads to the pine woods and-Lover' r I1ane Go to it, children. Max l yourselves at home Dinners seven 8 thirty. And tea for the ravenin S will be here on the terrace at five A s ten the nelgfrbors are coming in fo s dancing. Au 'voir."
 g She's an ideal hostess. Sh
 leaves US alone" said Val 1azil! a Then her voice took on a provocativ e note. "But unless some one prove e very amusing I shall feel piqued an e say she took the incest of our men, $ '@What do you want to do?" beg 0 ged Jim defensive1y, but Lane Cosb
 rumbled in on the conversation as. T Jim hadn't spoken. He spok