The Bridgeport times and evening farmer. (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1918-1924, 1922-05-25
When Il Girl Muryies
By ANN Isle.


simplicity, a more generous breaking
down Of her own reserve
AT the mention of Rosa Cordova
you took fire." she said I'D told
you how she and Ramon adore each
other, and yet at the thought of an
attractive little humming-bird of a
woman working to help your husba nd
you were frightened. If we're going
to defeat Dick and the crowd he's col
1ected to work for him in devoted
harmony we've got to stand firm
without a break in our ranks. So I
wanted to do all I had in my power
to warn you. If you start Worrying
over the thought of Rosa's being down
there helping your husband don't you
think Ramon will get little nervous Z?
Imagine a hot-blooded, impuLsive
young SoutHerner, devoted enough to
James Harrison to come all the way
up mere to help him; imagine that
same impressionable man learning
that James Harrison's wife is worry
ing over the fact that James and Rosa
are alone and together in the roman
tic and dreamy South. It would be
pretty dangerous for Ramon. wouldn't
1t? Loyalty and devotion have gone
under before this for just such
causes
She drew a long breath as she fin
tshed and slunped back in her chair
as if she'd exhausted herself and her
ammunition.
'T see," I stammered. "I see I
wonder if I can help myself. Gould
you have helped yourself when you
let your jealousy of Phoebe carry you
SO near the rocks?"
"I don't know" Mabel concede ed
But you're SO fine and sweet that
think you can manage your feelings
now that you've taken a survey of
what they might cost you. And of
course, maybe, Rosa will form a, triple
alliance with us, which will make ev-
erything easy''~
She looked a bit anxious as she
said this as If wondering whether
she'd struck the wrong note. But
smiled in appreciation before I af-
1rmed almost sternly:
you've done a. splendid thing Ma
bel Storrs. and a clever one, as I hope
events and I will prove. Whichever
Cordova journeys way up here to
stand by US will get the welcome due
to loyalty. We've had enough of sIil-
Iy-sha11y1ng. undec1ared enemies.
Surely you've made me see that it's
up to me to know how to deal with
devoted, declared loyal friends"
"How sp1endidly you've taken my
venturing where angels might have
feared to tread" smiled Mabel with
relief
Now we understand each other
thoroughly" I cried. glowing with the
feeling of true understanding. But
I'm going to be a grasping soul and
remind you that you spoke of a sec
ond motive. I want to KNOW
A knock at the door interrupted
me, and, in response to MabePs voice,
little Oliver limDed in.
THE blue car you were talking
about is gone he said. IT looked
and looked and spoke to the traffic cop
and everything. But it's gone. There's
a gentlentn outside who says he's
named Tom Mason and that his cous-
in, the robber. said it was important
for you to give him an audience. 1t
sounds kind of crazy, Miss Mabel. but
it's just what he said. Do you want
me to get rid of him, or shall I let
him in? '
Mabel turned to me and smiled I'M
derstandingly AT the te11-tale express
sion which had come to my face at
this illustration Iof the little lame lads
fierce and yet no means puny loyalty.
Glow shall we have Oliver handle
this MANI" she asked gravely.
Wed better see him. I replied.
But my gravity was not to please
the little lame boy. 1t had a tinge
of premonition. 1 felt that Toms
mission was serious.
To Be Continued