The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-09-20

CHAPTER 6ss. When Ralph Lacy stepped forward
 with serene poise and with a ges-
 ture that was almost Jovian, lifted
 Rosa in his arms I wanted the floor
 of the Dreamwold dining room to
 open and swallow me.
 Rosa had contrived to make me out heartless and discourteous
 wretch I didn't know which charge
 would annoy Virginia more. -Pos-
 sibly she could have forgiven me for.
 indifference to Rosa's plight-but not for failing to force myself to show of courtesy to the stranger under our roof.
 Pat was a bit disgusted with me, too. I could see that. He was sorry for Rosa. And his Irish chivalry was affronted at the thought that I had foisted upon him and Virginia such an undesirable friendship. Rosa had interrupted just Pat was actually planning to let his wife visit at the home of this man from whom Rosa Shrank.
 Like seeks like" If I4ennie Stone was villain. so might his smoothly smiling friend Park be. No one rea- soned much about it. They just felt. And now here was Ralph Lacy taking sides against me. My heart went right down to the tips of my pumps I felt like "nobody's claim" Let me carry her up,'' he said. almost crooning it. And you will then be free to go for the doctor | yourself, Dalton.
 He ignored Park and me. This l obviously delighted Rosa. She sighed and cuddied some more as if | in safe and pleasant haven at last. | Pat and Virginia accepted what I 1 told myself hotly was nothing short of officious. They seemed relieved to
 feel that they hadn't been entertain l ing two potential villains. And 1 Ralph Lacy drow Rosa's head down l on his shoulder in d fashion I consiu- cred positively disgusting. He fairly patted Rosa's head down against his chest.
 l Then he strode toward the deor.-
 There he jerked awlzward1y and let 1 his arms slip, so that Rosa was jolt | ed from her first position. And against his blue serge coat there was revealed a heavy pollen of white pow der. He was actually dusted with it. As if in chagrin, he put up his hand o wipe it off, and the oddly carved ring he wears on his little finger bruised against Rosa's temp1e-just where the red stain was. With an | exclamation of regret he whipped out his handkerchief and wiped her fore head. His handkerchief came away red.
 I'm so awkward. I've hurt her!" he exclaimed. With a quick motion he stepped into the living room As we followed he carried Rosa to chair in the full glare of the west | ering sun.
 She was revealed as healthiIy | tawny-her usual olive colorfng hed come back. Her temple, wiped of
 the red stain, was unbruised, unmar- red of skin. And on Ralph Lacy's handkerchief as he held it up in the sunlight there was a smear of what clearly was some red salve. ''Bravo!" Ralph Lacy exclaimed,
 his wide gray eyes narrowing to a
 twinkle You did it well. I con gratulate you on your brilliant anna teur theatricals. Now if some one will introduce me to the lady whose
 climax I've aided in reaching I'll be glad to shake hands with my actor manager
 Rosa b1inked up at him. She mar rowed in her lips and remained stubbornly silent. Then Pat did r fsomemthing for which I'm sure he's always going to be very happy. He marched across the room to Park, 5grinning at him and pushing out his hand with a sort of boyish inarticu-
 lateness that was peter than words. As he was doing th43 Ralph Lacy bwent on in a tone of friendly amuse-
 ment.
 We certainly were taken in. The whole crowd of fell for about the cleverest piece of acting I've seen in
 long time. I have to confess that
 though I'm a newspaper man and
 accustomed to uncavering fakes. I
 was as gullible as anyone else.''
 There was something in Ralph
 Aacy's method of expressing himself
 that I'd never discovered up to this
 time. For a moment l resented it.
 It seemed unworthy, cheap. Then I realized that there something purposeful in the way he spoke direct ly to Rosa who, as & he had compelled her to response chirped out:
 did fool you alI-ne, Rosa Cor dova- I am good actress vordad ?"
 The best ever!' agreed MT. Lacy still on his alaborately easy, I've un- derstand each other don't we g. note. "It was a great joke In fact I think I'm safe in saying that it IS a great joke'
 He turned his head for a second ana met my eyes. I felt sure that he was asking me if I didn't realize how completely it was still a joke but now on Rosa. She had been de- feated of her purpose. which could only have been to- discredit me and to cut Park off from any possibility of standing well at Dreamwold, but Rosa cooking her head pertly on oAe side cried:
 You forget me. I am neglected. I am treated as if I am nobody So make little joke
 Amateur theatricals," suggested Mir Lacy
 Gro Be Continued)