The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-03-22
CHAPTER 515

CHAPTER 51o Copyright, 1920, Kings Features s Syndicate.
 As I turned the street corner and approached Car1otta's house-now my house''~as well-the door opened and Virginia came out
 Within the hour I had bIundered badly where Mabel Storrs was con- cerned. Now l hardly trusted my Judgment in regard to the attfthude e l should take toward Virginia. She and I would simultaneously reach the bottom of the steps, leading to the front door. I didn't want to pass her unseeing. But I couldn't de- eide what to do, left it to the mom ent-to chance
 Virginia might turn abruptly and with the pretence of not seeing me, go in the opposite direction. Eff teen yards away, I first slackened then hastened by pace. Virginia stood with her back to the street, presumably chatting with CarIotta. Then she turned and started down the steps. Had she seen me? Which way would she go?
 Suddenly she looked down and her eyes caught me. Without change of expression she came ~on-turned to- ward me and walked on unfalteringly with her beautifully poised head held high. Five yards gap stood between us-two-then in another moment Virginia flicked cool, level eyes across my face. bowed pust perceptibly and swept past with an impersonal:
 Good afternoon
 The cut direct might have stood Tor a. mere blaze of indignation. This measured slight put me worlds apart from the sister Jim adered It means that Virginia had thought me over, weighed and tabulated me and had put me outside her life and it's interests. was. an acquaintance Not a sister with whom to quarrel and make up. but an outsider to be afforded 8 slight, indifferent recog- milton. And I had no weapons with which to fight against this decision and her weH-bred, calculated manner of carrying it out
 CarIotta was nowhere to be seen when l came up to our floor of the house, so made my preparations for dinner and then flung my door wide open, waiting. for the seven o'clock gong. Carlotta was already in the dining room when I descended in answer. to the summons to dinner.
 Hello, old dear!" she said breez- fly, c1fnging to her flambuoyant man ner, which contrasted so strangely with her panor and the black she was still wearing Have a good day? You look fit as a whistle in that cunning green get-up of yours. Me for the slim, cuddly woman every time.'
 And me for the stately. magnifi- cent one" I began, my mind slip ping back to Jeanie. But even as spoke I realized how stunning Car Iotta. was with her clear palIor and vivid hair crowning the dusky sever ity of her mourning. So I went on to a completely personal note: "You look wonderful yourself, Carletta. You certainly are what Neal would call a gorgeous gir1.''
 t'I look like a. ghost" replied Car lotta, sombrely, and I feel much the same, thank you. Or rather-thanks to you. don't look and feel worse. Anne dear. Ard now to talk of something a bit more interesting than yours truly, c. Sturges-rve just found the office for you Or rather I've found two of 'em. and 1t might be a good idea to start an hour early tomorrow and look 'em both over"
 Tell me about them" said cos fly.
 Car1otta smiled wan1y, and with the effort which is evident nowadays in all that she does. But pulling herself together, she forced herself