The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-07-27
CHATTER XII What Husbands and Wives Said.

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 What Husbands and Wives Said.
 When Helen returned to the room' l Roland looked at her critically. She was conscious of his stare, and she tried to control herself.
 seWell," she said, "and why do you | stare at me. Roland? ?''
 i've been wondering. Don't you evef wonder?"
 "Yes," rather nervously. "Bur why-'
 You haven't answered my ques- tion," he interrupted. "I asked II you were happy. too. Don't turn your head away and think up something to say. Men have intuition, too, Helen, and something tells me that you f1bbed."
 She stared quizzica1ly at him for second.
 "I suppose there's no use denying it," she finally said. "You always were clever. Roland" She bowed her head as the tears came into her eyes. He felt sorry for her, but he remained discreetly silent. +fNow I can see," Billy whispered, with his eye to the keyhole of door which opened from the center.
 What do you seer" Ruth asked. She was bending over near to him, and behind her stood Mrs. Lane. jacques was at the Otner QOOr, WHICH opened out into the hall. with his hand on the knob. The room was | dark.
 'I see two hands," Billy whispered. "A mans and woman's. Wait. Don't push" 'I wish this keyhole was to the right or left.' Billy grumbled. Then I could see either one of them. They must be sitting opposite each otner.'-
 q know how you feel,' Roland | finally said. But there, Helen, dry your tears.'' l He reached out impuIsiyely and cIasped her fingers. My God," Billy breathed, they're 1 holding hands!' Billy stole across to Ruth's side. "Tm getting nervous she said. | Let's go.'
 "But that man is holding my wife's hand" Billy panted. 1 CT can't help that" Ruth said. "I \ want to go.'' Not yet" Billy pleaded. Wait" "No. Right now. If we don't go I shall scream" The strain had been too much for | her, and Billy suddenly realized it. | Yet, he was bound on carrying out 1 new plan, now that he had seen an unknown man holding his wife's hand.
 | Billy's eyes glared. He believed now that the unknown man was not a detective, but he hadn't the slight | est idea who he was. If he could | surprise them by an abrupt entrance | he might learn something worth while"
 | Jacques" he said. ] "M'sieu'?'
 "You go down and get the ladies. I | Wait for us below" GAS you say. m'sieu'. You may | open that door as T said. But re- member, msieu'. no trouble, no noise. l would lose my position"
 Leave it to me-" Billy answered. He walked over and touched the l old lady on the arm. | Were ready to leave" he said. | "Now, don't object, Mrs. Lane. Go down with Jacques ana walt for Mrs. | Steegan and me. We'll join you pre- | sently''
 Even the old lady was beginning to feel the strain, and she was glad to go. Her plan had miscarr1e0, ana | she felt that she had done her best. She followed Jacques out of the room.
 Though Ruth was in a hurry to | leave, her woman's curiosity was too strong to keep her eye away from the l she clutched his arm. | ''The man is kissing your wife's l hand" she whispered. | What?' Billy exclaimed. In his | excitement to take look he stumbled and fell against the door.
 There was a deep silence. Then the door suddenly opened ana a flood of light entered the room Before them stood Roland Steegan.
 
 Ruth gave him one glance and sank back into Billy's arms She closed her eyes and when she opened them strange woman was staring quizzically at her.
 Both of. them" Helen cried. "in that dark room.'
 Billy was swaying back and forth unable to collect his senses.
 "Yes." he said. look! What the my wife?"
 He shook his fist under Roland: nose.
 Your wifel'' Roland gasped
 'fYour wife ?" he repeated.
 He leaned on the table for support
 He was dazed.
 "Yes," Ruth suddenly screamed
 what are you doing here with my
 husband?"
 SHe po4Hteo an accusing nnger a | Helen'S.
 Helen's mouth opened.
 'He your husband ?'' she murnbled
 The four of them stood starins : blankly, no one offering an explana,
 tion. Explanations were beyond
 them. They were helplessly gone their minds stupefied. Then into their midst came q sweet faced old lady, who like themselves seemed utterly bewNdered. Sh, stared at Roland. Then he recogniz Mrs. Lanei" he gasped. It wa the last straw: he dropped back int
 a chair.
 The old lady turned to Billy. : t'I was worried" she explained
 "and came back. I was. standing il a dark corner and heard everything. Her face crinkled r11 into that hs