The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-07-06

do now is to settle present difficult ties.''
 And now," Jimmy Shannon took up the examination, suppose we find out which one of these gentlemen is Mrs. Thelma's husband"
 'I feel sure that MT. O'Connor Is her husband" flashed Virginia. "rm positive of it.''
 How so?''
 T." Virginia flushed redly. You know.'
 Jimmy chuck1ed.
 Well, I'll say-'' stated Thelma- Frederic Stratford's pomposity fell away from him very suddenly. He was across the room in a bound, his hand on her arm.
 "Please Thelma. Let me talk to you a minute"
 "I don't see what good"
 Just a minute. in the next room. It won't matter to these folks, and -" Stratford's eyes were filled with entreaty. He was like a caged ami mal Thelma nodded and they enter ed the dining-room together. Manning seemed intenseIy i'll at ease. He glanced alternately at the dining room door, behind which Thel- ma and Stratford were in conference; and the hall door which led to the elevator ana 1reeOOn 1TOIIl the COn- fines of the apartment. Buck edged over to Virginia. You will marry me, won't you dear?'
 Mo-
 "But-'
 "I don't know yet that you're not a married man, and a married man | who makes love to another woman is | "Virginia-dearest. This is no time for foolery. It is serious. I've learn | ed my lesson; I swear I have. And Uncle Charley is proof that no man | is immune. Please say you'll marry me"
 The roses in her cheeks were sign- posts to her answer. But woman like she refused to commit herself.
 Suddenly from over the transom oi the door leading to the dining room came the sound of Thelma's voice raised angrily and shril1y | ''I tell you,'' she was saying furi- ously, I've been the goat long | enough. I won't stand it. I won't stand it. I tell you. I'll so in there and tell-'
 But I've done my best" came Stratford's rumbling tones.
 You've done nothing. You'v, been looking out for yourself and nc one else. You lied to me- "I didn't"
 Then why didn't you let me tel the whole thing to the reporter wher he first came in this morning, Ina would have been all that we wanted I'm going to tell Let me go, Le me go, I say!"
 There was the sound of a brie struggle Buck was at the door Il a second. He threw it back ant Stratford slowly released his grip o, Ihelma's arms. She flounced int, the room and Stratford cast a wilt glance back over his shoulder.
 Listen to me, every one of you.
 Thelma's tones were positive. Sh ignored the light of tragedy in Strat ford"s eyes, nor did her gaze mee that of Howard Manning 'In tn first place I'll ask you to unbind m , husbandi"
 Her husband! Buck leaned for
 ward ca gerIy
 Then you do admit ?" 1 Admit what?'
 That O'Connor is your husband.
 of course he's my husband. D
 you actually mean to say fooIe : you?" You fooled all of us." . You see, Stratford," exuIted Thel
 ma, swinging on that harassed indi , Vloual, "1 did my part. Of course OConnor is my husband-" fore'' '0u oe [ He lied; just as I lied when salo "a never seen him. We've bee
 inarrled fifteen years. He change I ms story because when the situatio
 was explained to him he was goo : out" 'o hei
 Who explained it to him ?''
 Who had a chance?' she uuestior 3 ed significantly
 . Bucks mind e7 $ Manning?" he gasped incredu ulou. ly. 1-o o' R1ght-o. Your friend Mannir was the one who explained the dea V, Your friend Manning has done a hea or explaining-and hell do hes n more before I get finished with him f Listen here. Buck" cried Mar e nlns hoarsely. Are you going to h.
 neve anything this adventures tel is think you'd better remain siIe, :. awhile How" returned Buck coldl " I'd like to hear what she has , :. say,''
 d That's a good idea" burted in Ii, eyes 9 MT. Manning all morning. heard f IeW things over that transom whe Il they held me prisoner T m an actress, as I've told you
 sad Thelma simply. And pue s+ I'm soft one. Stratford has wri l. ten play and I wanted the leadir
 role in it. He was after Mir. Ma, d nlng to finance an out-of-town pr a auction in hopes that he'd get son T New York producers to give it u se once over at it's premiere. He sa 10 l couldn't play the leading part b la cause I didn't have any emotion nj qualifications. He said I was t
 stagey.
 as Anyway, he took the proposition
 MT. Manning and then came back ,h me bubbling over with an idea.
 said that Manning had an acouair
 ance-he never told me that tn 7e were supposed to be real friends
 who were very prominent, and tt w f he, Manning, got him pickled i
 be swell press-asent stuff to get id l in here as his wife-to fool him, st o,, ! and then turn the stuff over o