The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-12-16

10 H.a1ph Lacy as we stood for a moment hl3ne in the morning room at Park Afa-aO-.
 He ss-art-s'i ard stal ed .pt me oddly. %h-u !4e aShaG:
 Why not ?''
 Before I could answer or face the query had hrougat 70 his lips. Park came back from seeing Jim and Dad Lee or.
 Then we three went cut 70 break fast My heart was off following Jim, but I managed to go through the motions of brealfasting, of hold ing up my share of conversation then and later on our drive to town. All l did was mechanical up to the moment when I stepped from Parks car in front of my office ana real 1zed how little thought I had given to these two loyal gentlemen: I blurted out my apologies, but Park stopped me half way.
 Were friends, Mrs. Anne liar cison. We three will always stand by each other Is it a go? All right.
 So because these friends to whom | owed so much made it easy for me. l managed to leave them without breaking down.
 all day long thoughts of Jim stabbed through my brain. destroying all possibility of accomplishing the inn portant things I had to do. I couldn't concentrate. I could only start vigorously and find myself suddenly sitting tense and eager pe- cause the telephone had rung again might be Jim.
 T stayed in the office when Betty and Miss May went away together I pretended it was work that kept me. But I was afraid to go home to Betty's apartment and-again find no Jim
 Suddenly I realized that Jim might go to BettysT and depart because there was no one to let him in. So l teIephoned for a taxi and in a wild furry made my preparations to rush home Then came a new terror suppose Jim went to Betty's. didn't find me there and started for my office only to miss me again. I was so miserable over this new poSsI- biHty of misundersta ndins that my knees shook beneath me.
 Then, the business woman grin ming almost maIiciousIy a the iran tic woman-inlOve. I teIeph oned to the reliable dOOrman at Betty's, and on being told ''Mr. Harrison has nov on my way home With a new ser entity, taXied to d restaurant near the apartment, ordered chicken waffle dinner for two sent to the was almost pain. and h&-r:ed home
 Quickly I laid the table with the | best of Betty's damask and silver and | china Then I made myself fine in a | favorite shade. I dressed my hair | softly so I should, indeed. be Jim's | Lilac Princess. Then. uneasily. I went around the dinner table, strengthening a bit of silver nere, polishing a. glass there.
 After a while the boy arrived with | a, big tray covered and wrapped Tn a. thick linen cloth, but giving out the savory aroma of Southern cook ing@' got him to carry the tray to the kitchen. Then, tucIing my finery under a big apron, I set the dishes in the oven to keep hot.
 At g o'clock I sat down alone, forced myself to eat a few morsels of the food I had selected so care fully. It was dry and tasteless
 To cover my own disappointment and to hide from myself that was still hoping against hope, went back f @ my my PgdFoom p6Fs and 5raSeiet Sr9%K SRpsa Thea marking time. I raised my arms Io take my amber fan-cornb from my hair.
 And then the door bell rang. Once with two perky little rings to fol- low. Jim. l. was Jim!
 I ran to the door on feet which seemed to crawl. I flung it wide. Then I stepped back timidly, afraid of the hopes that welled up in my heart. On the threshold stood Jim. You came'--I cred.
 Jim stepped in and closed the door behind him. His quietness was so we'll ordered and self-coutrolled, his politeness so punctilious that it frightened me It set up a wall be-
 Naturally I have come.
 Shall we go into the Hving-room and make ourselves comforbable?" ?" he asked.
 l nodded and led the way. When I sank down in enc corner of the couch, Jim took she opposite corner.
 There are a great many things Tor to talk over,' he began AsIK vx,-x- gN- g,fT rrov- The firsE thing on our books is this Dad Lee matter. The mans name Is Louis Lee. He's no kin of your But he knew h1m-weu. T We won't go into that. nor into the matter of the railroad accident in which your father was killed You're free to go back to thinking of that splendid man. Andrew Hyland, as your Father Andrew.
 Jim smiled but l was afraid-acr- uaGly afraid-of Dresuming too much on that smile.
 You didn't frighten the poor dittle mani Y You let him go?" I half de clared, half questioned.
 You might have known I would. You asked me to-"
 Jim said 1t flaJlys out his look was 8 challenge.
 T asked you to-and you did" said slowly, holding to the words ana ionged to hSve Sben say.
 More over. I gave this Louis Lee a stake of $500 and saw him off on his tl1sn for the Northwest The only condition 1 made was that we should never hear from him agaIn.-
 The cod praCtiCaity of Jim's voice now held TO warm note - nothing beyond snug righteousness.
 Gan ne live on that?" I faltered ]
 Ji1n's face grew So coId 1t terrified me Then l saw shat the muscles scEoss his lean ;sN were qulvering. Aud krew I'd hurt him.
 I l I leaned forward ana laid my hand | on his wrist. T was sple ndid Of you to conquer all your prejudices-tcr 1 me. T.; was for me. wasn't 1t, Jim ?"
 Tt was for you." said Jim.
 He lifted ms arms to fold them | a cross his chest