The Bridgeport times and evening farmer. (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1918-1924, 1922-06-13
CHAPTER 5S4
Copyright, 1920, King Features
Syndicate II


Daisy's gentleness told me beyond
question or bubble that she really
cares for Tom Mason. It isn't the an
tique necklaces or handsome silver
bag-tops that counts with her. It's
Tom himself.
Yet in the note I'd Just torn to
bits before her unresentful eyes there
was clear evidence of Toms deep
feeling for Lrma Warren. Only a few
days ago Irma made 1t fairly plain
that Tom interests her deeply.
Here I stood with all the threads
of intrigue and romance and even
tragedy right in my hands. At last
Toms fckleness seems about to
create the ugly mix-up I've always ex-
pected it must cause some day. But
I don't want to say. '1 told you So I
want to avert the happening
which may hurt some else even
more than it does Tom. I'd
rather see him get off scot
the heart than have one bit of disillu-
sionment come to Irma Warren-one
flash of stark ugliness come to Kate
Condon's sister.
So f1inging all the weight of en-
phasis where thought there was also
a useful weight of evidence I cried
with elaborate brightness:
Toms friendship for me does more
than put you in his class, my dear.
think It puts US In the same class. He's
as much your friend as he is mine.
His note to you was very brief, but 1t
rang with goodwill and good faith.
He trusts you with his affairs. He
| counts on you as a. loyad friend''-
Haven't I told you I don't want
Tom Mason's friendship ?" interrupted
Daisy, in a tone OF abrupt demand
Yes, now that you remind me, I
guess you did. But I knew you don't
mean that in the least. A good bus
iness woman such as you've proved
yourself to be has a sense of values -
Talk English!" Daisy flung at me,
In a tone SO taut and eager that it was
relieved of rudeness
Yes'm." I replied meekfy. sniI-
Ing with what I fancied was d;sarm-
Ing and engaging candor. ct mean
that you've seen enough of Tom to
know what splendid investment he
is from the point Of view of friend
ship-and what a poor risk he'd be as
a lover. Tom has the. rowing eve,
Daisy. He can't help making pretty
speeches and doing nice things for
every woman who crosses his path.
But it's for every woman WAC hasn't
a squint or a hareIip. And I think
he might find the sweetness of per-
sonaltty which often turks behind dis
| figurement"
Whats the meaning of this SER
| m on ?" scoffed Daisy.
You know as well as do Won
little rogue!" I cried, on the verge of
fmpatience- TT means that YOU can't
count on Toms attentions to have a
personal tang. But you can count on
his friendship and his loyalty If YOU
aren't making the mistake of figuring
on love. When you're a woman to
Tom, there's danger that you're one
| or many women, each amusing in her
place and degree. When you're a
friend you have an established posi-
| ton in his heart"
You don't say sol" cried Daisy,
pertly
Yes. I do, my dear" replied firm
| ly holding on to my poise and pur-
| pose Don't underva1ue what Won
| nave. Toms note to you was brief
ana ousiness-ltke; neverth eIess it was
| the sort of letter a man writes to a
girl for whom he has the highest re-
| gard-in whom he has the utmost
Ialth That little phrase, considering
1t excess baggage to tell you to take
good care of the studio, shows how
much reliance Toms come to place in
you, You wouldn't be foolish enough
TO spoil that would you?"
| What do you mean by spoil it ?''
demanded Daisy. succinctly. "Pm not
| planning to steal anything?"
| Her face crimsoned at her own
words and her eyes of themselves
travelled questioningly to my hand,
where was fearing the ring,