The Bridgeport times and evening farmer. (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1918-1924, 1922-07-01
SYNOPSIS

d"dkenS ncAL
is splitting. As he gradually
comes to, he discovers a young
woman whom, to his recollec-
ton, he had never seen OeIore,
calmly rocking near the window.
His first impression is that he
has the d. It's and she Is
nurse. But she tells him she's
his wife. And to prove it, she
shows him the marriage license,
and certificate, made out for Da-
vid Garrick Mccartney and Thel-
ma OConnor. One of the wit
nesses Is Howard Manning. He
calls him up and his worst fears
are confirmed. Buck then de-
mands that Manning come to his
apartment and bring along the
other witness. Frederic StratfOrd
who is not known to Buck.
Buck tries to figure out how it
all happened, but he can't re-
member anything. All he knows
is that he is in a terrible fix.
His uncle Charley will disinherit
him, and he can't marry Viz
ginia Earle to whom he was en-
gagged. He shows his WIFE
picture of his uncle. Thelma
seems to recognize the original
and begins to laugh and to as
sure him he won't be disin-
herited.
His friends come to his apart
ment and supply the details of
the previous night. He tries to
discourage Thelma, but in vain.
Then Thelma remembers a tele-
gram that came for Buck that
morning. It's from his uncle in
answer to one he had sent after
III,
Virginia will arrive at 1920.
Uncle Charley arrives all set
to scold and disinherit Buck,
when TheIma appears on the
scene and Uncle Charley inmed-
lately becomes a dociIe as a
lamb. Buck does not know what
to make of it. But neither Thel-
ma nor his uncle will give any
light ON the subject. About this
Jimmy Shannon of the News ar
rives. '.Mrs. Mccartney was COR
duality itself. and she personally
conducted Jimmy through the
entrance hall to the little room
directly at its end"
Jimmy waited patiently; he knew
he faced a woman who was anxious
to talk for publication. You want
the whole story?" she asks.
'.Yes'm. All of it,
I'll tell you,'' Mrs. Mccartney
leaned forward earnestly. 'In the
first place I'm an actress
Jimmy concealed a gasp of sur
prise; a midnight marriage, an ac-
tress.
Yes, I've heard of you he replied
Thelma beamed.
We'll, it was the most dramatic
thing. You see. I never set eyes on
Mr.. Mccartney before last night, and
1t was a case of love at first sight,
The door swung open violently and
Manning and Stratford burst into
the room.
Perkins told us there was a re-
Jelly, "and-"'he stopped short as his
eye fell on Jimmy. rs this hep"
"Jimmy Shannon-at your ser
vice. grinned the newspapermar
smilingly I'VE heard at the News
office that Mr.. Mccartney had been
married. and I came up to see
There's nothing to be said for
publication snapped Manning
mot a thing"
But Mrs. Mccartney was"
Mrs. Mccartney was mistaken
flashed Manning. Stratford moved
closer to the now rather pallid TheI-
ma You'd better beat it-quick!
he ordered s1angiIy, but intensely
Thelma went. The two men faced
the reporter and there was more
than a hint of antagonism in their
attitudes.
Get this" said Manning abrupt.
~. There's not a word to be said
for publication about this marriage
Not a word
1T seems to me-" said Jimmy
slowly, that Mrs. Mccartney is the
one TO decide that and she was will
ing to talk"
What did she tell you?''
Jimmy scented a big story, a very
big story. He started full into Man.
ning's eyes
Nothing" he said blandly. ''she
didn't have chance He saw
Stratford heave a sigh of relief
''WeT, there's nothing to tell. I
is merely the elimination of a ro
nance. Mr. and Mrs. Macartne!
have been friends for two or three
years and they married By prear
rangement last night
How does it haDpen?" asked
Jimmy, that the marriage Hcens'
was issued after midnight?''
Manning flushed.
The eXigencies of the OCCASION
Il see. Now let me tell You TIVE
gentlemen something; I don't know
who you are or what you have to d.
With this matter. But I'll be franl
with you in saying that I know
there's something wrong somewhere
Mrs. Mccartney didn't tell me much
but she told me enough to make M
see that either she misled me or VOL
are doing so. The story I have will
make good copy for this afternoon
paper"
Frederic Stratford sailed into &C
ton with all flags flying. You shall
not print a word of this"
Pardon mel SHALL
E'Listen here. young man." SAT-
Howard. you'll not print any stor.
in this afternoons paper. You'll hav
a libel suit on your hands if you dc
II you'll remain while
h=maining a while was Just wha
Jimmy most desired, but he did no
care to let them know it. Feignin;
reluctance he glanced at his watch.
Its 1880 now" he said, land
don't know but what-Teu you wha
I'll do. I'll stay a few minutes
half-hour maybe"
Promise that you will remain il
this room for half an hour" sa:
Manning We will return befor