The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-08-26
CHATTER III
The Br;desroom Cometh.

When Miles Sprogget was admit ted to Suite 1918. the heart of Maud Smith felt as trough, in sudden burst of energy. it was trying to beat its way through her bosom.
 The fears and misgivings which him as an uncouth Westerner; in person and appearance, perhaps. an impossible vu1garian, but this If only she had known! | He stood straight before her like 8 strong and vigorous young tree near six feet of splendid, clean limb ed, stream-lined American manho cd, l without blight or blemish.
 His face was tanned from the sun and wind-and his eyes was clean and clear from perfect health. There was a humorous Quirk to his lips. as though he were on the | point of smiling, but the jaw ard cfln were solid, powerful, Her heart sank, like an aching, 'eaden weight. To Kittte Swasher I-giddy, canny. lucky Kittie whom she had never seen before to this 1 strange other girl she must hand l over a man. Her own lack of deci I sfye courage had sent him straight | into the eager waiting arms .cf an- | other.
 Clad in .he elegance of superbly tailored dinner clothes. Mfles Sprog- get stood with his top coat over his arm and his hat in his hand, waiting for her to speak. From his we'll brushed hat to his glistening patent leather boots he was a perfectly groomed gentleman. MT. Sprogget?' ?'' The qufrk of his lips relaxed into a smile of appreciation, of antictpa- ton.
 i Miss Smith-Maud?' ?'' l She shook her head slightly. II was too late TOW to admit the truth. | No, Miss Smith is dressing Sh. will be in shortly. Won't you sit | down?"
 l She fancied there was a shade of | disappointment on his face, as he | took a chair
 "l thought for a moment that you weac Miss Smith," he said with au apoIogetic laugh.
 'T am Kittie Swasher, her best | friend-her chaperon." Tho lie 1 sickened her; the name of Swasher ir- ritated her as she uttered it
 Sprogget did not seem disposed to doubt it.
 I'm mighty glad she has a friend with her." he said. "It will make her feel easier. She told you. I SUD- pose, all about ?"
 | T Know eVeryCh1ng.
 'It's strange way for two peupfe to set about matrimony, isn't it?
 Still, since the whole things largely luck it isn't so curious after all. l There aren't many people though, l suppose who could understand it.
 "I can-perfect1y."
 And you approve?" It was difficult to answer, when one is holding back tears of self condemnation and regret Sprogget apparently, mistook her silence for suspense of judgment.
 CT intended. of course, to present tproper credentials and references. It's l a duty I owe Miss Smith. For my part, I'm willing to enter ths com pact on faith-and luck, but I realize that a girl ought to have some knowledge of the man she is to mar. lry.''
 So, for fifteen minutes he told hel
 about his life and his work With. out questioning. he had accepted tn. real Maud Smith as true chaperon ] an officia! representative ot the mas querader. like a suitor heeora the
 father of his adored he outlined Iii. past and his prospects.
 | It was a simple story. Mile! Sprogget was a college man and
 geologist. Since graduation he hal
 been in the oil fields of Oklahoma
 He had done hard physical work, hs
 had bought leases and sold them an6 had searched for his own opportunity
 At last it had come. The rew vel
 did not bring great riches, but i. did
 bring thousands, and there wer,
 many more to come.
 He produced several letters, banl
 references, personal 'ero Whom I
 May Concern" from the Mayer O Pawhk kska, a newspaper clippinl
 menta Htng him as one of tho own. ers he new we'll