The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-05-01
Copyright. 1920, King Features Syn dicate, Inc.
 CHAPTER 549

CEiALIEH o4S
 What tremendous fact of vital irn- port do you gather from my perfectly natural joy in not being deprived of my insurance ?'' I asked of Carlot- ta with a defiant feeling that there was something I had to brazen out. I didn't know what it was l needed to conceal from Carlotta, but I was sure, nevertheless. that there was something with a capital ''S.''
 ''You don't think your big words hide the truth ?" replied Carlotta in a tone of efficiency such as I hadn't heard from her for a long time.
 My dear child, what are you talk ing about?'' I cried.
 About your joy in not losing your insurance" she replied drily.
 What could be more natural?" demanded. Dick West is our ene- my You know that He cleverly stages a fire in my apartment and hopes to make this one more of the losses through which he is seeking to destroy Jim. Mabel Storrs, who is a clever business woman like you, Carlotta, feels that Dick Is trying to make things black enough here so that if Jim gets news of it he will have to come back without accom- pIishing the job which took him away. Don't you see?'
 ''I see that Miss Storrs is in your confidence?" returned Carlotta with an unfath omabIe expression which I set down as normal human-and very feminine pique-at discovering that some one else shared confidence not given to her. Acting on impulse I went over to CarIotta's side, sat down on the arm of her chair and patted her shoulder with the awkwardness which mast men and some women feel in being demonstrative with a good "pal."
 E'M1ss Storrs represents my hus- band here." I said quietly. And she knows all about his affairs. A fine, loyal and very efficient girl she is. I want you to meet her before long,"
 Have her in for dinner sometime D said Carlotta absently. "But just now we have something to discuss which most men and some women about which she hasn't your conf1- dence or at least I hope she hasn't" she concluded almost with a | note of pleading in her voice. 'tWhatever are you getting at. you | funny old dear?" I asked. actually | at sea.
 "At your affairs" replied Carlotta | quietly. You've been laying all | stress on your nuSDanQS concerns. | Jim Harrison's a fine fellow I've no | doubt-may'be even as fine as his wife thinks him'-
 l 'EHe isl" burst from me. "Jim's | the most wonderful and adorable 1 man In the world. And I'm the | 1uckiest girl-even if I have to pay | for my happiness by putting up with this separation which would be un- | endurable if it weren't for you-and your home"
 What I'm doing for you and your temporary loneliness doesn't bear | comparison with what you're doing to make a happy island in the midst of my big sea of-eternal lone1f- ness" murmured Car1otta in a voice which fairly throbbed But in a moment she hauled herself up and in a strident tone she's never sur- passed in the most flamboyant days of old, she flung at me:
 Let's return to your fire-which is our muttons just now. After we get that out of the way, we can proceed to the next consid eration. At pres ent we're rambling.''
 "All aboard for the muttons," I replied.
 "Of course, as you were saying, you'll get your insurance. That's the | Gsart which counts.'' said Carlotta | drily. What struck the wise old