The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-07-28
CHAPTER 633.

Mir. Haddane and Irma brought me home from our impromptu dinner early enough to insure me good nights sleep. But didn't get it. For I'd hardly crept into bed and pulled the covers over my weary head. when there came a gentle tap- tapping at the door. I got up and battered across the room to admit Carlotta.
 Hello. dear,'' she exclaimed. 'I wouldn't have disturbed you, but I knew you hadn't gone sleepy by, for I saw your lights go out just as we drove up. So-nay come in? And am I weIcome?''
 'fBothI" insisted cordially. Come in and curl up on the bed. Or no" I added. noticing that she wore the exquisite green and orchid chiffon which brought her so many compliments the night of our dinner party to Phoebe and Neal and Tony. "In come in with you while you you haar- Then when you're all comfortable you can come in to visit me-
 You blessed lambs- cried Car lotta. 'It's just like you to think of all that Most women won't let me take a chance with my prettiest frock--or my comfort
 Don't maIign our sexi'' cried accompanying her across the hall.
 While she was making herself ready, we chatted of little nothings in the way folks have when there's something big they want to say and cant bring themselves to put it into words until the environment is just right.
 about Carlotta's every move. Sud- denly she turned toward me with her arms raised to her half -loosened hair. Her posture was exouisite- utterly feminine. Her whole body seemed in tune to happy thoughts
 Anne" she cried. 'T'm begin ming to think he cares It was a, glorious evening, I wonder-do vo,1 believe that he could care for n1e?"
 Why not?" I demanded almost indignantly. You're young and very beautiful and all the world knows you have real brains Any man might care for you. Yet yoa talk as if he could only mean one man in all the worId''
 That's all it can mean-to men said Carlotta simply. 'Tony's my man. The only man for me. I'm not afraid to say it. Least of all am I afraid to say it to you. You know how it is. You're that way about Jin1.''
 ies' III that way about Jim" agreed. "Jim is my man. Tbere isn't any other.''
 Such love doesn't cut you off from liking other men-from being friends with them, I mean" persist ed Carlotto. 'I can't imagine any thing coming between me and n1v liking for Pat. We were pals when we needed each other. We are friends now that we don't need each other at
  likes it. She likes me for helping Pat over rough place-just as you like the little Cordova woman. who seems so-trashy to the rest of us.''
 Why do you make that compari- son?" I demanded.
 Because you and I are sort of parallel,'' replied Carlotta, dismissing Rosa with that single word. "Each of us has to-slay a dragon to get her man. I've Tony's pride to conquer. You have Jin1's business problems Dick West, to put it in concrete terms. And I've been thinking that while you're waiting for Jim to come back, you ought to have some one to lean onto count on and talk things over with-the way I do with Pat Tn your business, mean.''
 Say it. Carlotta!" I commanded.
 Say what?''
 Whats on your mind. you gen. erous grill You're still wondering if you may be taking from me any part of Tony's friendship. No dear not. Tony gave me the big help needed He saw me through my money panic. You aren't taking his friendship from me. Indeed noti Tony and you thought of me and meant to take me with you even to- night. All of friendship that I need ---or can take-from Tony, is mine. Perhaps if-he were YOUR Tony, might feel more free to.-calI on him.
 (To Be Continued1