The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-11-13
CHAPTER ".

1t.
 The F1oding Tide
 He wrestled VainIy with her thought But he lit his pipe and began like an awkward boy to talk of his home.
 1T haven't much worth telling, Edith. The folks are just ordinary American people. Dad has store, rather big one. you know.
 He is the cloth.er of our town, bank director and all. You know the sort he is. big efficient, kindly and a good fellow. I like him immense ly. He is never tight with me. Of course 1'lE become partner and we'll add, and Son to the store stationery" As he paused she nodded soberly He wondered at her earnestness.
 Then there's mother. don't just know how to tell you about her. She's the sort of a fellow goes to when he feels the need of a lap to cry in. Of course she has social obli- gations, clubs and all that. She's just mother. Tells dad, Jerry must have a chance at things, you know, when dad objects to my camping trips as he did to this one.
 ou've seen women like her. She's d1fferent' too. I don't just know how to make you understand. She is still; mama when I talk to her.
 Edith's smile was genuinely sym pathetic. It still fingered about her lips when she spoke, giving Terry d startled sense of contradictions.
 NOW for the last disillus.onme ent expect you to be eloquent now.''
 But l can't talk about that, Edith. A fellow feels those things"
 There was a moments silence, then she shrugged her shoulders
 I'd rather you didn't anyway
 Her whole voice timbre changed. Jerry stared at her uncomprehend- lnsly. She had curled up on the big dark skin and was looking at him out or half closed coening eyes.
 Tell me Jerry, what do you think of me?"
 It was as if that question had swent the entire world back and brought them, close together Suddenly Jerry 1eit his lips grow dry. He leaned forward. held by that inscrutable light in her eyes
 II don't know. Edith
 An intense silence fell. The crack ling fire sounded cosmic to them Through the intimate darkness froro beyond the light came the rushing music Of the falls. Above them stars set the blue sky appoint with myriad lights, bright answers to thetr fire.
 Out Of the fathom1ess reaches of tnelr souls came a swift tide of emo ton floo ding their eyes with mellow slories- Edith caught her breath. then remained motionless, tense, her steady gaze burning strangely out toward h1nn He moved restIessly as thoueb lmpelled almost beyond control.
 T never knew a woman like vo,, never thought there were any.''
 Still she did not move. Only bar IDS parted slightly and a turnbIed heap of black hair fell over one red cheek.
 You-you upset all my ideas. I, I "Jerry." She rose to her knees tossing back her hair with unwonted v1gor in her gesture
 Jerry. why did you do it?" He voice was keyed high It was as though he had wounded her. he thought At her exclamation his eyes opened wide. He guIped hard star ing at her.
 What--what did I do?''
 Slowly her lips wreathed into smiles but her eyes narrowed 1un1i- nously.
 You really are responsible. you know" She spoke with exaggerated smoothness.
 Like a blunderings perp1exed animal he struggled to his feet. His blood beat confusedly in his ears He brushed his forehead
 T didn't do anything, Edith" His words came quickly.
 You're making it worse