The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-07-26
CHAPTER X.
What A Husband and Wife Said.

famous cabaret or jazz band. But good food was served at Bellamy's, and the patrons were select. At exactly twenty minutes of sev- en Jacques, the head-waiter greeted an old customer accompanied by two | women. one young and attractive, the other elderly and dignified. "Ah, M. Wal-lice,'' he said, "every- theeng is ready. The table you or der is over there, right in the cor ner you wished. And ees this Mime. Wa1-lice?"
 "No, this isn't Mrs. Wallace" Billy replied, somewhat embarrassed. But I expect her later, Jacques" | '.So, so; m'sieu'.' And Jacques.' | t'M'sieu' 2"
 Should & lady come and inquire for me, send her over to the table | It will be Mrs. Wallace" '1 shall be watching, m'sieu'." "we shall have to be careful" | Billy whispered, after they were seat | ed. My wife is rather impulsive, | screaming at times. It would create a scene if she should-' | There, there, chi1d,'' Mrs. Lane | laughed. Don't worry. Once we | get her over to the table everything will be all right Of the three Ruth was the most nervous.
 I'm worrying about Roland" she l said. "You don't think. Mrs. Lane. that he will bring a detective with him?
 "We are taking all kinds of chances, my child,'' the old lady an swered. ''We decided that it was the only way to accomplish our pur- pose. But I'm sure we can't fail" | A taxi drew up in front of the res- | taurant and a woman stepped out. | And she hurried toward the en- | trance.
 | Behind came a man in high hat and evening clothes. The woman glanced at him. Then she gave a little cry.
 | "Rolandi"
 1 The man stopped and fell back a pace.
 "Helen," he said. Good Heavens, of all people in the world, Helen | Wheeler! What brings you here?"
 I'm going to meet some friends | inside"
 'T too,'' he said. "But-'' | But what?" she asked. He knit his brows.
 Pm a little early" he said, land
 "Early!" Helen tried very hard to
 
 | He was getting an idea l My engagement was conditionaa,' ,'' he replied. 'I said that perhaps I'd | drop i.
 | Mine was about the same, Roland. | She attempted to laugh again. 1 Then such being the case with both of us," he said. "why can't we go upstairs to 6 private dining room and have dinner. We can avoid l thRSa friends of and ra1lx | old times.'
 Helen breathed a sigh of relief. She | thought it was a great idea. l ''That'n be splendid, Roland" she said. Suppose you go in and ar l range for the dining room, and I'll follow. It wouldn't do for these | friends of ours to see us together" | "Oh, Heavens, mo-" Roland replied "I should say not. I was almost about to suggest the same thing. I'll | go in and reserve the room, and you follow. say-in three minutes. Don't stop at the second floor. It leads into the main dining room.
 Helen nodded.
 ''No, I'll not enter the main dining l room,'' she said significantly. Have you ever been here before, Roland?" Once" he answered. But I re- member how the place is laid out l When you open the first door turn to the right and walk until you reach | a wide hall, a sort of a foyer You'E find some one there who'll direct you | upstairs
 And then what?" | '1 shall be waiting in one of the dining rooms.''
 Why not meet me in this foyer ?''
 Roland tapped his cane against his | shoe- He had been arranging
 everything so that no one should see him with Helen.
 Every well,' he said. "In three minutes I shall be waiting in that hall. Remember, you enter the first door and turn to the right | He raised his hat and hurried away, and Helen withdrew swiftly behind a | large tree.
 Though he had given Helen strict orders not to open the second door, MT. Steegan decided to peek in him. self. He drew back after that one glance and leaned weekly against the wall. The mysterious friend" had | been right His wife was sitting at a table with another man. Had he looked a little closer he | might have seen an old, gray-haired l woman bending over in her chair" to pick up a napkin from the floor. It was with supreme effort that MT. Steegan controlled himself, and started down the narrow hallway. 1 After waiting for three minutes | which seemed like three years to her | Helen entered the rst door and paused. Like MT. Steegan, she could not resist the impulse to peek, and what she saw in that one glance was | her husband and two women. But it was only in one that she was in- terested, the younger one, and as she drew back she recognized the woman she had seen her husband with in the automobile | Helen turned quickly to the right and dashed madly down the hall Before stepping into the foyer she paused to collect herself. Then forcing a smile, she entered | Roland offered her his arm
 i've reserved the room," he said | She tried to smile, but it was 2
 sorry effort, and in silence they started up the stairs.
 | After thev seated he