The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-08-28

their table. They watched Kittie dance away with him,
 CHAPTER V.
 Like a Perfect Lady.
 Other dancers. observing their grace, gave them room. Several couples stopped entirely to watch them. The pair swung into the cen ter of the floor, and the professional essayed a rapid whirling figure. diff ffcult and dangerous, for d slip would have sent them both sprawling. Kit tie followed him as lightly aDd as b1ithely as though she were a part of him, every one of their movements synchronizing perfectly.
 ''Wil1 you watch that girl -dance!"
 It burst from him, an exclamation of pure admiration. Maud Smith, however, had given Kitt1e no more than a feeting glance. She was study ing the face of the man, trying to fathom him.
 "Someh ow. I've got to have a dance with her before the evenings over; E she's wonderful!"
 A womanly feeling that he was purely and rapidly succumbing to the wiles of Miss Swasher. whatever his belief about her, smote Miss Smith.
 Then why didn't you dance with her in the first place. instead of tell ing the sorrowful tale about the crushed foot ?" It was a question aimed to penetrate his armor. Sprogget was not confused. "Oh, that was a He." he remarked shame lessly and easily.
 Then you are not always truth fu1?"
 'tNot always. Especially when the truth is unimportant and a lie serves a useful purpose"
 But as her chaperon, I think shall demand the truth For full minute he returned her direct gaze NNeither wavered. ''I think I shall tell you the truth" he said finally. After all. you are l entitled to it as her chaperom. | Frankly. I had a wild hope that | might dig her up a dancing partner so I could talk to you alone.' 'To me alone-why Because I wanted to-" he smiled Maud Smith blushed visibly. "I wanted to talk to you as her | want your advice" '1>m afraid my advice would be of l little value" she said with dignity The course of true love seems to run independently of all chaperons" Do you think, then, that 1t is | true 1ove?" the question was put ! with smile.
 So. he was beginning to see the | light! The weighty heart of Maud Smith began to feel lighter. 'Why, MT. Sprogget, do you feel 1 that you have made a mistaken" she | asked in mock surprise. that sounded like a reproach.
 Sprogett drew a cigarette from r l case. ''May L?" "Certainly''
 He lit it and blew a cloud of smoke.
 "I wasn't thinking about myself. It is she. T. would be rather an injus- tice, don't you think. if I held her to | her promise. even if she didn't want | to keep it?"
 l 'I have every reason to believe she is deeply attached to you," she | said. Even before she met you she | was wild to marry you. Since then, her attachment is self evident" If she expected him to vince, she was disappointed. He knocked the ashes from his cigarette and smiled. Curfously, she was irritated beyond measure at that smile.
 ' "Weil-that's a load af my nlind,''
 he said. 'fI just wanted to be sure that you approved"
 At that moment. squat, red
 faced man touched the Ok1ahoman
 on the arm.
 Say, cun," he demanded, "is your
 name Sproggett :"
 Sprogget lifted his eyes curiousIy.
 Suppose it is?"
 "No offense." the man explained |, I'm connected with the place.
 Keep order, see? If you're Sprogget
 just want to tell you that there's a
 little chicken out on the dance floor
 named Smith. and she sent me for r you She had a run-in with an other f lady- wish you'd take her off the f hoof, before there's trouble"
 MMes was on his feet in an fpsta mt f ana even as he rose he caught sigh 3 Of a weaving. twisting knot of mer and women. It swarned to the edge e of the dancing space. crashed into z pable, and overturned 1t.
 The bouncer no longer tarried
 Charging between the tables. with hi. e bull head lowered, he plowed like $
 dfeadnaught into the fray.
 Somewhere in the heaving mass O e battlers was Kittie.
 Excuse me. please" Sprogge I hestiated just a second to bid a hast5 adieu before the battle. y But, Miles, is it necessary" ?" g It IS. | I'll be back in n1Inute." 0 She saw him go into 1t. tearins
 away toward the center One hant q Tell on mans shoulder and quick s powerful haul sent him reeling ou
 or It. Like a strong swimmer, Sprog g get worked his arms in spreadina p !. breast stroke that opened a way an fr1,- %T>Ar- ne 0d