The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-08-29
CHAPTER VI (Continued)
 A Friend in Need.

A Friend in Need. The reck1essness of his speech. his readiness to accept Kittie, somehow piqued and disappointed Maud Smith
 Then I suppose you'll marry her right away"
 He reached in his pocket and pull ed out a. folded paper. When he spread it before her she saw it was marriage license.
 There's her name" he said, point ing to it. 'and here's mne. It was waiting for me at the hotel this morn ing. I'd written lawyer friend of mine and he took his stenographer down-a couple really must appear and got it. I wanted it so I could marry her on moments notice."
 She looked at the names in fasci- nation: Maud Smith, of Ogallala, Nebraska, and Miles Sprogget, of Pawhuska, Oklahoma. For a mo- meth she was dizzy.
 He sat smiling at her, implacably.
 But-but you can't marry her on that. It's a forgery" she said feebly.
 EVen so, the marriage will be legal It doesn't matter how it is ac- complished. Any kind of a marriage contract holds water-pve looked it up. Don't worry. Maybe there was little tr1ckery about the license. bu, the ceremony will be iron-clad.''
 But are you satisfied with her are you sure:'
 Sprogget nodded.
 A great, surging fear rose Tn the heart of Maud Smith: something that made her dizzy and faint
 Then you-then you do love herr"
 Love her? Who can tell what love
  answered with a yes or a no. I sat0 that I was willing to trust my luck and I fell like this is my lucky day."
 A flare of uncomfortable anger was III the eyes of the girl who felt her dream-man slipping away. With the uhreason1ng jealousy of a woman, her voice took on a bitterness of which Sprogget' curiously. seemed unaware.
 Knowing that she isn't the same Kind Of girl you nnagined-knoy,- ing next to nothing about her-afraid even to say that you really love her as a man should love his wife-yo11 are going to marry herr"
 asked her to marry me and she's counting on doing it. She's planned her whole future with me and for me. When man courts a girl and Wins her heart-even if it was by mall-he's just naturally got to go through with it."
 There was a ring of ffnality in his tone that ended the discussion. Maud smith masked her feelings with a smile that looked genuine
 That's splendid of you,'' she said With soft pleasan antness in her voice. The thoroughbred was unm1stakable. 'I congratulate you. wish won both the greatest happiness possible And here she comes now-'
 Refreshed and smiling, the opera tor returned.
 Almost simultaneously the waiter arrived with. the first consignment of food
 Did you enjoy your dance, dear?" Sprogget asked. solic1tous1y as Kittie sat down. It was the first time he had used term of endearment. which was not lost upon Miss Smith.
 Did I enjoy it? Say, Miles. it,11 be sweet mem'ry all my life. Hon est, if they had a jazz band in heaven I'd fill suicides grace"
 II trust it wasn't your partner alone, who aroused all this enthu- siasm. You know I might be jealous,
 "Well-he's thoroughbred iazz hound if that's what you mean, Miles. but oon worry. Whats a dance more Or less between lovers ?''
 -AAN7' NiAAAei dlleIIlDCeu a smile at the persi1age.
 But I mean it,'' he insisted. "Actu ally, you two were such a perfect match on the f1oor-you worked to- gether like reciprocating mechanical device I was just wondering if 2. good looking, 1ight-footed young chan mght' 'n-"
 Kittie did not know whether it was ra1llery or not, but she was conscious of rather f1attered sensation
 "Deary," she said, '.the gentle mans conduct on the floor was nure1v professional He didn't even ask my telephone number
 There's some consolation in that then" Sprogget remarked.
 That's one thing less for me to worry about"
 Why worry-when there's food present? kfttie returned, rogueishly.
 She and Sprogget fell to the meal with real appreciation. for they were both hungry and the opening course whetted their healthy aippetites. Miss Smith picked at her food daintf1v hut little of it passed her lips.
 Sprogget began bantering Kittie about her dancing partner and the girl, playing up to lhdm, was easily holding her own. It was nlajn ta Miss Smith that they were getting a1nne ranid 1v-