The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-09-04

3Gduy " 11AOfS III. Has MT. Fremont cosee home yet?" she asked the elevator man.
 Sure, ma'am. took him up half an hour ago.
 Her husband met her in the hall as she let herself into the apartment.
 "Oh, here you are!' he said. T was just about to call up Police head quarters
 Police headquarters!" s-1e gasped, starting violently.
 .'Yes-to have an alarm sent out for you and the youngster. I was be- ginning to think that both of you had been kidnapped" He laughed. What else was I to suppose-coming home here and finding my wife and child missing, and the dinner all cooked away to a cinder. That's a nice little shock to hand tired business man.
 He patted her shoulder reassuring- ly.
 "On1y my little joke, gir1ie. Never mind I suppose you couldn't help be- ing late and letting the dinner spoil. Don't feel bad about it. Been out shopping"
 "I-er-took Buddy out TOT walk. didn't notice thaat it was so near dinner time. I'm sorry I kept you waiting, but
 That's all right. No harm done except to that pie you were baking, and the rest of the eats. You muss have forgotten to turn off the gas Tn the kitchen stove when you went out, B1t no matter, I can do without home cooking for once. We'll go out to restaurant.
 His manner was so kind and con siderate that she was almost im- pelled to take him into her confidence. But her courage failed her. Only a few days before she had heard him discussing with a friend sensat1onai blackmailing case to which the news papers were deyoting much space.
 .'The man was a fool to let him self be b1ackmailed, Allan Fremont had remarked. "He should have gone straight to the police.''
 "But think of the risk!'' his friend had argued. Even though he was really innocent, appearances were all against him, and he realized that he would have difficulty in clearing him. self"
 .tHe should have taken his chances on that,'' was the resp onse of Janet's husband. 'rIt would have been better for him to have run the risk of being unjustly convicted than to suffer the mental torture of trying to keep the affair under cover. The 4Sl1OW WdS d WI0lCnSd COWdLub anu I haven't much sympathy for him. Why, if I were placed in his position I wouldn't hesitate for a minute. I'd rather stand trial any time-even though I were guilty-and get the agony over with, than go around in a state of continuous suspence, a1- ways fearing that my secret was about to leak out. That sort of thing doesn't pay in the long run"
 Recalling that conversation, Janet stif1ed the impulse to unburden her. self to him now. She had no inten- ton of standing trial for the attempt ed murder of Inspector John Holden if that painful experience could pos sibly be averted.
 Allan she said. trying to speak casually, as they sat presenatly at dinner in a little nearby restaurant, ''I think I'm going to look for a new apartment
 "A new apartment" Her husband regarded her wonderingly. What's the matter with the one we've got?"
 'T-er-don't like it. I think we could do better for the money"
 ''But we've got a lease for another year and-'
 we can sublet We sh'n't have difficulty in finding somebody to take it off our hands,"
 NO. I suppose not. But what's the burning idea, little lady? Why this sudden desire to move? I thought you were more than satisfied You were shaking hands with yourself the other day because we were lucky enough to have a two-year lease. Whats happened to cause you to change your mind ?''
 Nothing has happened. Only I'm not don't like the neighborho ood."
 Whats wrong with the neighbo or hood ? You've never raised any ob- jection to it before, and I haven't noticed any great change in it re- cently."
 To Allan Fremont's surprise his wife suddenly burst into tears.
 Why do you cross examine me like this?" she cried hysterically. Why do you always oppose my wishes? It isn't fair. It isn't kind. I tell you I hate the place, and IT won't stay in it.''
 Allan looked at her solicitously. "Wfhy, you're all unstrung, deari" he said gently. Try to control yourself. People are looking this way.''
 I'm not opposing you, little wom- an," he went on. I'm hanged if can see why you want to move. I think we've got an exceptionally nice apartment. and very cheap, consider ing the rents other landlords are ask ing. But if you really want to make a change, I've no objection
 Janet frightened "Then we can move at the end of the month"; she cried eagerly.
 Sure we can-if you can find an- other place that's as good value for the money As you say. we sha' have any difficulty in sub-letting the fiat. There'u probably be half a mill lion people after it as soon as they hear it's available. Go ahead and look around for new quarters, grille. But remember I can't afford to pay any more rent thanaIm being soaked at present. I've got enough problem as it is, trying to live within our in- come"
 Greatly relieved by this promised means Of escape, Janet started out early the next morning on her fiat hunting expedition She covered a lot of ground in the course of the