The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-06-15
CHAPTER $50
Copyright, 1920. King Features Syndi-
cate, Inc.

CHAPTER $50
Copyright, 1920. King Features Syndi-
cate. Inc.
AS I started for the Star office
realized that it was well past noon,
and that if were to set off now
I'd arrive at the lunch hour. Since
didn't want to make nuisance of
myself by keeping a busy man from
his noon meal, nor yet waste a trip
by arriving just after he'd gone out
to seek it, decided to have my own
lunch first and then go down to pay
off the Derringforth account.
My own office was completely out
of line with this itinerary, and Jim's
was only a few blocks from the bank.
So 1 determined to drop in there,
phone my plans to Miss May and try
to lure Mabel Storrs out to lunch.
The last part of my plan worked
beautifully. Mabel was delighted at
the idea of another friendly lunch.
But for Is minutes we vainly tried to
get my office.
Finally when the managers office
of the telephone company verified the
operators insistent Busy we de-
cided to entrust oliver with our mes
sage and to go out and feed two
starving souls.
BE sure to get this right, laddie,"
my way downtown on a matter which
clears up our work for the day; so
shed be wise to shut up shop and
go home at the usual hour. since IL
I'm very much delayed I won't go
back to the Office"
Oliver promised to convey my mes
sage word for word. so Mabel and 1
hurried to a quaint little curiosity
shop of a tearoom where we could
r, iAf NI,oA ~ da1i tot
shrimp salad in, the peace of a peb-
bled garden under big, gracious can
opies.
Here's a letter which speaks for
itself" I said, giving Mabel Toms
note.
She read slowly, and then looked
up with the twinkle which softens the
Goddess of Liberty girl into warm
pleasant girEshness.
THAT bit about a black fox pelt
was a good way of covering Dicks
identity without Disgusting it beyond
recognition, wasn't ft?" she asked.
Tom Mason's clever. Good stuff"
Hes clever all right I agreed,
making a gallant effort to keep my
eyebrows down. Somehow the Sc
rene and irnpersonal friendliness with
which Mabel has regarded Tom from
their very moment of meeting ,amuses
me-
For a while we chatted about Tom
and the Dick West situation. Then
Mabel took a tentative step toward
our own immediate concerns asking:
"ENerything serene at the office,
Anne p"
oh. yes" I replied carelessly, glad
that I needn't trouble her with the
worries which only few hours had
threatened to swamp me. Were
OF t1 he 90 -
$50 are we." replied Mabel. "But
I've an idea either of US could do
with a bit more ready cash. If I
get any in the bank again and you
need it. I'm sure you'll not hesitate
to take it,
'I might confessed. srYou1l
see why if you think about it for a
minute. This return of mine to bus
mess has taken place without Jim's
sanction So there's every reason
why I shouldn't let you jeopardize
the success of James H. Harrison &
Co. to aid in the success of A. L. H.
Men are like that aren't they?"
chuckled Mabel.
''They are,'' agreed. "And, speak
ing Of how folks are, satisfy my Gu
riosity. Any news from the Cordo-
van. branch of our family?"
None whatever smiled Mabel.
Anu rlse on lnlS occasion TO re-
mark that I'm mighty glad to hear
you taking that wholesome, semi
facetious tone in regard to the mys-
ferrous. yet romantic, Southern eIe-
ment of our organization q
May be the mystery makes the
romance" I laughed, and so we fin
ished our funchean on a light note.
Perhaps we each had the feeling
that one day promised important de-
velopments, and that it would be well
and polishing. finishing to her satiS-