The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-08-30

 out of sight around the cor:fAP. WeHl stop there a few minutes, l want to say something to you"
 Gentrly he guided her away from Sprogget's direction. "He won't mind. There's only a couple of minutes be- tween dances. and hen think we're waiting for the next one>'
 Because she herselfe felt something of the force of her partners sugges- tiens-E<s<tae allowed herself to be led to a small table. When they were seaeed she looked him sQuarely i the eye.
 stMiles Ssroggee is a gentleman." she said, and I'm not goin' to hand him the old double-cross, see Now, what was 1t you wanted to say to me?"
 stI was wondering how you two ever got engaged. I've seen enough of human nature to know that there's a trick In 1t somewhere. Mind telling me2''
 Why should discuss my private affairs with you, I hardly know you at all.''
 '.Neverth eless," said the assured Tomnaie, I'm closer to you in a nm ute than he'd be In 8 lifetime. The same kind of blood runs in our veins. knew it as soon as saw you-and you knew it, too"
 Kittie could not Ind tongue to deny 1t. Masking her feelings with sInne-"wha4 are you trying to be- a big brother, or sonaethin' 2"
 s'Noe that; but think I'll declare
 nyseR ln on this little romance I am q bear for sudden action. You know why botted into that fight to- night7 rla tell you: I'd been watch ing you dance, and thought you were about the niftiese little stopper I'd ever psped of, and I said to my self I was going to meet that girl. and when the Jam 1s>rted I jumped in-jnst on a eh'S-x getting ae- Qnainted-"
 "rll tela you sor ,ething else, too," he went on warmly When I etspped up and offered him that loan at the table-thaS was su stall I was looking for an opportunity to talk TO you- I've had my eye on you all evening. You're the only girl that ever set me off my nut at the first flash and when get a Knockout punch Pm the first to admit 1t. That's the kind of a guy am Now. what do you think of that7"
 Straight from the shoulder he was hanamering away.
 *<Tm an incandescent sheet of fire" Tomnie announced with sudden. vol canic earnestness. I'm a devouring element, and I reduce all opposition to ashes"
 A thought that she owed some sorr of fidelity to Sprogget flashed in her mind, and she checked the flames Bank the furnace, k3ds you know I'm stin engaged: I'm practically a married woman"
 '<Not yet" he contradictsd, s'You're a free woman as long as you stay on this side of the altar You're merely engaged-and you'd like to be out of it right now, wouldn't your" He spoke the truth, and she knew it.
 Suppose it was a rash act-gettin' engaged, what then?" "Tu tell you. I'll get you out Of it"
 -T got brains enough to get myself ssBut what2'' 'sWeM. at wouldn't be pIayin' square with Sprogyie- He thinks I'm goin' to marry him and he's such a good guy that I ain't got the heart to give him the air. When a man like that falls in 1ove-well, it is till i the COWS come home. The first gap made in the wall of her reserve she told all to Tonmie- from Maud Smiths telephone call TOT assista ce-everythin- <'Its & cinch he loves me for my | self, alone" she finished up with con- ddence. If told him the truth. he'd | marry me just the 'same-he's that kind of a sticker- You know, one i hundred per cent" Ton1ie wrinkled his brow for an idea
 Why don't we slip out of here and disappear? He'll never see you again.
 life lookin'! I tell you he's like one of them heroes in the movies-and I don't want Memo chasing me the rest of my days.''
 "You could tell him you don't love him"
 Did you seen his chin? That chin would hang on a hundred years. Nope-it looks like little Kittie is doomed for the weddin' bells" He reached across the table and took her hand. She did not withdraw it.
 ''Not while got the sweet breath of life are you going to marry if don't ! want to. He's a fine chap, but he's not for you. You got tricked into | this and you've got to get tricked
 out of it..
 | ven, Just bring your 1HaSSlVe brain to bear on it then and tell me l how.''
 | Wait a minute" | Tonic fished a. cigarette out of
 his case, lit it and leaned back. Kttie made herself clear. "Oh,
 most things Pm hard boiled forty
 minutes in the water, but when a
 mans square-well, I got nny com | punctions, if you get me-" l oh yI,o T,1a VT way. Now, suppose-suppose he
 turned you down? Thatd let you
 out fine and dandy But he's not go- l ing to do it, unless-' He snapped his fingers. | I got it. Listen to the big idea.
 suppose we blacken your reputation to him-get me? suppose we make | him think you're a crook and a graf
 ter. He's going to run from you