The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-03-29
CHAPTER DXXI Copyright, 120, Kings Features


 Syndicate. Inc.
 In the language duly accredited to the hostess of a visiting potentate, found myself whimsically reacting to Lyons declaration that Hedwig was some gal With an inward chuckle, I reflected:
 Queen, you said a mouthful.''
 To Lyons, however. I made a far different retort, saying seriously:
 You've not brought me out here to discuss your wife's Squabble with 1edwig. I know you we'll enough for that. There's something behind be- hind this. What is it?" I'm having trouble with Bertha right and left" replied Lyons. She's jealous of this here Hedwig!"
 That sour-faced thfng?" cried spontaneously.
 Lyons Ventured an apprecfatiye grin before he replied. You sure see things dead-to-rights, ma'am. I was once a jail-bird and a lot of things I don't remember with no pride. And Bertha she suffered a lot for being married to a crook and having to dodge from pillar to post and play hide and seek with the cops. She ain't always known where her next slice of bread was coming from, | neither. And mostly she has known it wouldn't have no butter. But she never once gave me a hard word or l acted like she'd do so different if she had it to do over about marrying me- Can you beat tt?"
 Can beat what, Lyons? The way of a woman-you mean?'' I ask ed not daring to be as amused as felt.
 "Y es'm, that's it. You'd almost think Bertha took a kinda pride in a went fbrO1I oh fOr "In all she went through with you g I corrected.
 Lyons stared at me in puzzled si- lence.
 None of your hardships and-dis- graces were too much for the woman who was making it possible for you to bear them,'' I said gravely. But if you've taken to phi1andering with Hedwig''-
 Mrs. Harrisan!" cried Lyons, in terrupting with an air of astonish- ment, which was all I needed to as sure me that whatever his faults they didn't include toying with Irritation 'T never would of looked at that He'd wig if it hadn't been for you"-
 For me?' I cried, astonished in turn.
 "Yes'm I seen she were double crossing you. And I played it with her Just like I played it with Darrow and West-just like I'll always play it with the enemies of the best friend that ever came across my path Do you think l forget that you trusted a crook and gave him his chance to come back and make honest money?
 Do you think what you done for me was a little thing? No, man. Mrs. Harrison-it were life and death to me. And you stood by. So for the rest of his days George Lyons stands by. And if Bertha, his wife, ain't got no more sense than to think he'd go gaIlivantif1g after any wom- an, sour-faced or Lyons stands by. And if Bertha, has got to tend her own funeral It ain't none of nine.''
 ''k Bertha much upset over He'd tha any more jealous of your sup posed attentions to Hedwig in ingrat- iating herself with Mrs. Dalton ?"
 ''What do you think Bertha and Hedfwig quarreled over? 2" demanded Lyons.
 ''WelI-what ?" I replied wonder ing how his story was going to fit into Bertha's tale of the loyalty to her man. which had forbidden her telling Virginia of the marriage that evidently Hedwdg didn't know existed.
 ''They quarreled over me-" Lyons went on. f'as I meant they should"
 "As you meant they should? ?" struck by the diplomatic in which Lyons seemed to be embroiling folks.