The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-09-01
CHAPTER I. Mrs. Holden Finds a Flat.

snent 32 swung open, Ellis, the su- perintendent, sniffed appreciativefy and his manner became almost oe- ferential as he addressed the trim little woman who had responded to his ring. The kitchen apron she wore, and the traces of dough that still adhered to her shapely forearms. proclaimed her as the originator or that delectable fragrance, and the 1anitor of the Queensda1e Apartments yielded to no man in his appreciation of lady who could bake pie. Sorry to bother you, Mrs. Fre- mont" he apologized. "Got a party here that would like to take look 1 through your apartment, if it ain't | too much trouble"
 My apartment" Janet Fremont protested, drowning at the stout, over dressed woman who stood beside FL lis There must be some mistake | We are not going to move. We have | a lease, and"
 That's all right, Mrs. Fremont" the superintendent cut in. Tt ain't your apartment she's after. It's num- ber thirty-four-across the hall. But | there's nobody at home there, and as your rooms run the same I thought i you wouldn't mind if I showed the lady through here instead" Janet's face lighted up. "Of course don't mind" she said, smiling at the other woman. Wont you please come in? You must excuse the way I look, but was right in the middle of preparing dinner when the bell rang, and"
 NO apologies necessary, my dear, the stout lady treasured her, as she entered. Its a pleasure to meet a young wife who isn't afraid to make the acquaintance of her kitchen stove. What a sweetly furnished liv- ing-room! And how neat and clean you keep it, too! It's easy to see that you are a model housekeeper." The model housekeeper" laughed, and the color deepened under her fair skin at the compliment. Hers was the kind of face to which bushes come easily.
 She proceeded to show her visitor the dining-room. kitchen and bath room, and presently they entered dainty chamber in which child lay asleep in a white enameled crib What dear little chap!" the port1y lady whispered, stopping to make a closer inspection of the wee. dimp1ed face on the pillow. And the l image of you, too. How old is he?" -Four years next October
 -Four years! My goodness! You don't look old enough yourself to have l a CD1lu LI1dL age. o6C1dTe lOOA | you for a young bride just starting in housekeeping"
 Mrs. Fremont smiled. ''I think I'd like to have you for a neighbor,' she said, You do say such pleasant | things. I hope you're going to de- eide to take the apartment across the hall.''
 Going to decide! Te decided al- ready my dear. These really are ex-
  hunting, for week and I haven't seen anything to equal them. Such pokey, miserable places I've been shown! And such rents! Those pro- fiteering landlords ought to be sent to jail. You are sure the other apart ment is exactly like this one?''
 T understand it's the very same thing"
 Then I guess I'll telephone my huband to come right up and take a look at it. Would you mind showing the other flat haven't got back by the time he arrives? I hate to inn pose on you so much, but "Not at all. I shall be only too glad to do it. Better tell him to hurry, though. The way vacant apartments are snapped up these days one cannot afford to delay. You are welcome to use my telephone if you wish."
 Thank you. I can see that we're going to be real good friends as well | as neighbors. I've taken 8 great fan | cy to you already
 The visitor stepped to the tele- phone and picked up the receiver. Connect me with 3100 Spring. | please" she bade the switchboard operator.
 Then presently: Hello! Is this Po- lice Headquarters? I want to speak with Inspector Holden. Who am I? Mrs. Holden, the inspectors wife. That you, John. I've got some good news for you. I've found a lovely l apartment at last, and I want you 1 to come right up and take a look at it. No; I won't take it without your
 seeing it. I want to be sure that
 you're satisfied. I don't care how busy you are-you've got to come. And please hurry. I'll wait here for you.''
 As she left the instrument she
 turned to her hostess with a triumph ant smile.
 Hes coming fmediately. He want | ed me to go ahead and pay a deposit
 on my own responsibility, but I'm
 not that foolish. Once before when I -" She stopped abruptly. Why, 1 "ildt 5 Ihe hldlleI, IIly oedT. Are you
 iu?"
 Janet Fremont was leaning against the wall, her face death1y pale, her 1 slender form trembling
 IT don't think you'd better take | that apartment. Mrs. Holden" she
 faltered.
 +'I feel-I know you wouldn't like
 to live in this house."
 "Wouldn't like it?" the other ex-
 claimed, her eyes widening with sur prise Why not ?'
 ''The-er-the service here is ter
 rible. The superintendent is inperti- | nent, and
 ''Inpertinent, is he! You don't tell
 me! He seemed pleasant enough just
 now. But. anyway, that won't worry
 me, I'm a police inspectors wife, and
 I like to see any janitor try to get
 gay with me. If that's all there is
 against the"
 | 1sTt isn't all" the vo,oSar ,rop,a :,