The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-06-24
When 4 Girl Mnrries
By ANN LESLIE

Copyright, 1920, King Features Syn dicate. Inc.) CHATTER 594. If had needed additional proof C. .--r IIneness of Carlotta's feelings, it was furnished the morning after she had sent Tony to me just in the neck of time When I came down af- ter a sleepless night, I found her a1- ready at the breakfast table. She was busy with a canteloupe and her mail and glanced up casually when I came into the room.
 'Me1ons aren't good" she remark ed. T just asked Bertha to get some orange juice for you. Shell be here in a minute. In the meantime, 'scuse If goes on with my mail. You've some of your own to keep you enter tained.''
 Her tact wasn't lost on me. Car lota was leaving me absolutely free to adjust myself to her presence and to decide what attitude I wanted to take toward Tony and his unexpect- ed return Glancing down at my mail I saw that 1t wasn't important, but I slit open my letters and went through the motions of reading them. Then having reached a decision and refreshed myself with the chilled orange juice, I embarked on what had to say.
 Tony called for me at the office and took me to dinner I said mak- ing a tentative beginning.
 "Tes, he telephoned here looking for you and I asked him to dinner, as I knew you'd do if you were home." replied Car1otta. When you didn't come. ] told him where he'd find the busy business woman"
 Leaving him rather dazed, fancy, Hrr ', e. ingness to desert your own exquisite cuisine and come and take hotel pot luck with us.' I replied carelessly. shading the truth as I steered my way between the facts as Tony had given them to me and the facts as he felt Carlotta would like me to view them.
 You're such old friends-'.she be- gan.
 we are such old friends" I cor rected gravely. We've been through some big things together, CarIotta- you and Tony and I. Do you remem- Der the way we three plunged in to solve the mystery the time Betty dis appeared? I've been thinking about that. You withdrew right in the midst Of things-as if you thought you were intruding I think that's one of your biggest faults"
 "I have plenty" replied Carlotta gravely-shading off naively with But my clothes don't bother you as much as they used to, do they?"
 'Y ou're lovely in gray and laven- der" I replied, restraining the smile that would hurt her. But I refuse to be. side-tracked into compliment ing you I'm ready to scold. You underestimate yourself, Cariotta. You don't realize what an important part you take In the lives Of your friends. Tony hasn't known you long. But he thinks of you as a sort of companion piece to Betty. And If you knew what a compliment that is you'd start wearing hats of an enormous headsize."
 Carlotta rested her elbows on the table and cuoped her round chin in her hands. Her large, wholesome mouth dropped wistfulIy
 The beautiful Mrs. Winston" she cried almost scornfully. How can you compare me to herr" I'm not a remote and lovely green-eyed mer- maid with perfectly undulated black hair as smooth and fine as sea-grass. I've a horrid red mop and a f1ashy soul to match"
 Tt wasn't your hair. but your souls that Tony was comparing" said drying. ''I won't spoil the tributes by serving them up cold"
 Carlotta flushed.