The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-11-09
CHAPTER 73S,

Dad Lee. she roSe, indicating that the luncheon was over. Burning with re- sentiment, I followed her lead. I couldn't make any protest or do any thing to call Manuelo's attantion to what she had said.
 It is possible that Manuelo Ortiz is sufficiently in Rosa's confidence to know about Dad Lee. The chances of my being the first to prepare Jim for the pecu1iarities of this little prod igal father of mine seem to be get ting les and less every moment. But this consideration fades into nothing ness compared with the problem of locating Dad Lee and that of finding out just where Dick is and what he's doing.
 The situation that Senor Mateixa staged for Manuelo Oortiz seems 10 me nothing more than a trick. can't seriously entertain the idea that Dick West has gone South. Its a long, difficult journey and I've idea that his vitality and resources are both at low ebb. Moreover if he has any shrewdness remaining, he must know that he'd be running his head into a moose if he touched Jim. He wants to live and enjoy the fruits or his business chicanery. He may have had a hand in arranging tke meeting
 
 he thought would pass muster as himself. but the motive certainly can't have been the one Rosa and Manue1o Ortiz think.
 These were the thoughts I mulled over after I'd bade Rosa and her cavalier farewell and was swinging along afoot toward my own office. Suddenly, almost without premedita- ton, I found myself in a telephone Jnh mentI heard his voice in greeting, I felt better assured hom chow that things weren't going to be hopelessly involved and tangled.
 ''Mr. Lacy" I said without prelimf- nary "I have a number of difficult ties that can't seem to look at with any perspective -'
 "Perspectives furnished while you wait" laughed Ralph Lacy" easily, and yet with the note of sturdiness that always sounds through what he does or says:
 ''I can't wait" replied seriously.
 Then know whom the matter concerns" came back as seriously. sI wish I could see you without momene delay, but I'm on my way to a conference with the owner of the paper. It's likely to be matter of several hours. Where can I find you this afternoon?'
 "At my office" I reeurned.
 But it may be very late. Won't you want to go home to Mrs Win ston?'
 "No.' I confessed. "I wouldn't be of much use to her now. An old friend, who's a nurse by profession. is with her. If she needs any one else I think I can count on Miss May to go up and-mother her. I'm behind on ooU T be happy anywhere but at my omce today, so you can count on finding me there whenever you are able to drop. in''
 'Fll make it as near six as possible. I've an appointment to take dinner with Park. If you can manage 1t, will you dine with us?"
 We needs make a hard and fast appointment about that. need we?' I
 'tNo-and if there's any reason to shut old Park off. that will be all right, so just count on me for as much of tie evening as suits your needs, replied MT. Lacy in a tone that en- abled me to say goodbye with emo- tions of comfort and assurance.
 I hurried back to the office then, with the further assurance that I could count On Miss May 10 weave smoothly into the pattern. She was hard at work, with Max Hoad1ey es- tablished at another desk boring over the proofs spread out in front of him. He numbered to his feet the moment he heard me approaching.
 Hello! Mind, giving me desk room ?' he asked anxiously.
 1 ought to obJ Ject seriously,'' laughed, holding out my hand in greeting. Particularly should I fuss in view of the fact that you're evil dently taking one of our burdens off our shoulders
 Hike to help the little lady herc If she's willing parked Max Hoad- ley in 8 way that sounded to me as if he were hoarse with anxiety 10 please.
 "He is very helpful, too" excIaim- ed Miss May with an adorable note of protection in her voice She seem ed like q dear litt1ec ountry school ma'am removing the dunce cap from the bad boy of the school and proud ly marking him 100 for one lesson ne managed to learn.
 "Of course" :" agreed. and then lapsed into the needs of Jim, which will. suppose. always seem more to me than any other re- quirement life or my job make or me. Miss May-I wonder if you could manage to do me a great favor to- nisnt?'' I asked.
 Certainly" she said with quiet precision.
 I'm not bit certain of where I'll have to be from six to ten or so. There's something important that needs to be seen to at once" I stated datly and without ths least intention of explaining further. And l hate to leave Betty Winston -
 .tDo you want me to spend the evening with herr" asked Miss May. Tn Re Cnntin1and