The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-06-30
CHAPTER "


The artistic little clock on the 1iv-
ing-room mante1-shelf t,ckeo on. I,
was the exasperatingly calm Howard
Manning who paid its insistent tick
ing'S heed.
Ten minutes to ten now he re-
marked, encouragingly. Telegram
says the train is due at ten-twently'
Buck Mccartney raised a haggard
face.
'-Better all in a bunch than
singly," he moaned. "You say I sent
a telegram after my marriage? What
did I say?''
ITO tell the TRUTH" admitted Man
ming, ct don't know what was in the
telegram.
Il wish you'd read it wish"
'I would suggest" broke in Fred
eric Stratford. that you call West
ern Union.'
"Yeh!" Bucks eyes met STRAIT
ford's. THAT was a real suggestion
though. Here goes.''
He called the telegraph office.
A hiatus of some minutes, and
then: "HelloI''
I've got the telegram. Charles
Mccall, Middleva1e, Pennsylvania. In
great trouble. Married last night.
Come at once. Signed-Buck"
''HellI"
o>-A SAoPPCo CIl0 RECEIVER on Jn0
hook and faced the others, his own
expression a study in misery 81
told him I was married"
Howard Manning made for the
door, Stratford In his wake. Buck
intercepted him.
Not on your life, you don't go.
D'you think I let you get me into
this mess only to face the MUSIC
alone. You stay. There's going to be
on those. How. Meanwhile I'd be
obliged If Mrs. MISUNDERSTANDING
would fix up nunky's room and a
place for Virginia. I'm not at all
sure they'll stay any longer than it
takes. Uncle Charley to tell me I'm
d1sinherited and a fit candidate for
brake-beam travelling
"Of course TIL fix things up" said
Thelma readily ct amt much on
this domestic stuff. but I'm wilIin' to
learn"
Alone IN the room which Bucks
ex-fiance was destined to occupy pro-
vided her stay extended over night,
Mrs. Buck faced Mr. Buck
Darling" she cooed softly, ''you
haven't kissed me once this morn
ing: our bridal morning."
You've made up for it. re-
member twice you've kissed rue. That
hp-St1ck hints of wintergreen"
You're not at all ardent"
Listen to me, Thelma," Bucks
voice became very serious and he
leaned forward earnestly Gas they
say in melodrama-you're my wife
in name only. and there'll be no
dem onstrations between us After
Uncle Charley his disinherited me
and Virginia has thrown me over 1
guess you'll be glad enough to take
a divorce and go back to an honest
twenty a week on the right side of
the footlights''
Thelna laid her hand over that of
her husbands and smiled a bit
wanly.
Buck she said softly. YOU'RE a
darned good sport I like you.
CHAPTER V
Prodding Uncle
The apartment buzzer rang Then
Buck heard Perkins, key in the lock.
He turned a haggard race 10 the
other occupants of the room.
Tshelma slipped to the dining room
door.
"A bit of advice, Bucky-boy. I'll
snoop around under cover for a while
and when you want me I'll come in.
The shadow of bulk fell athwart
the doorsin between the hall and
living room Buck raised bloodshot
eyes to his uncle's purplish face.
Good morning." he said calmly.
Good morning? Good morning =?
A damned bad morning, I call it,
you-you-scapego
Eyes. sir, it is a bad morning.
Very bad. Have a seat, won't you.
Here, Virginia. let me take your
wraps
But Virginia appeared not to hear.
Howard Manning stepped forward
and relieved her of her coat
Uncle Charley paced the room with
elephantine strides, punctuating each
step with a snort of disgust
'-My nephew" he ragged. Dis
igracing the family name this way.
Well. you'll suffer for it, young man.
And what are these people doing
here anyway
sort of-er-witnesses," vouch-