The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-04-07

Hope you come out all right, little lady, said Carl a shade uneasily. ''Rememoer that if you need anyone to tide you over your rightful banker is your friend, c. Booth. You'd come to me, wouldn't you-dear?
 The last word was whispered un- der his breath-it seemed to slip out almost without CarPs knowing. But it reminded me sadly and forcibly of our parting at Haldane's. I couldn't reprove Carl, but I knew as he spoke that I couldn't turn to him for help.
 CHAPTER 529
 Copyright, 1920, King Features Syndt-
 cate, Inc.
 Just as I was wondering what I could say to Carl to tide us over the tense moment he had created, the of flee door opened for a second time and III marched Max Hoadley. He came strutting in with 8 large and ponpous air which arrested itself midway of the office. With his smile wavering from me to Carps big blonde figure, he crooked apologetically: T hope I don't intrude."
 Seizing the conversational bull by the verbal horns, I replied laughing 1y:
 This isn't a pink tea with a linn | ited invitation list, and if it were, you'd both be invited. But we have 1 a regular committee meeting now. A | l.. Harrison, Limited and the direct ors of the company. Maybe if you l folks aren't too busy we could make | this a regular Saturday meeting-Or l fortnightIy if that suits you better. Make it a weekly affair and let | the directors take the president of l the company out to 1uncIh,' cried Max l HoadIey joviallIy- What do you | think of the idea, Bootth?''
 "Tm afraid won't be free every l Saturday after MT. Haldane gets ! home,'' replied Carl stiffly. "Oh, that's all right. that's all 1 right replied MT. HoadIey with in- sstent unp1easantness. '"Two-thirds ! ought to constitute a quorum. We've 1 managed between us to persuade this ! lady to take on a large job and I'm 1 thinking it would be no more than decent to see (her through
 "I have complete faith in Mrs, liar 1 rison's power to see herself through, ' l murmured Carl, with the old-world l dignity which he had assumed at the moment of Max Hoadley's strolline l into my office and to which he clung however strangely it fitted his big 1 blond, boyish personality. But Ma, l Hoadley refused to relax his air of | camaraderie or to be put in his place 1 Indeed he didn't seem to recognize ! l Carl might have any reason for want ing to relegate him to it. With the utmost good humor he now cried: l 'You know we're sort of partners I Booth-aH three of us. This is a nif' ty little office and we both know the
 head of this company has the brain: l to make a go of 1t. But you and have each of us saddled her with ar | untried proposition. Hoadley's hat: can't help paying her well. But the l YeIda account and Derringforth Shoes | may be pretty rocky going until they | begin to make their way and to take
 with their public. So it seems to me that if we've let Mrs. Harrison in for
 anything we ought to SC that she l comes out all right"
 "Those are fine sentiments" replied l Carl with air which just masked it's curtness from MT. Hoadley. 'And | I'm sure each of us will do his best to be on the spot if called upon But from my long business association
 with Mrs Harrison, I should be in- l clined to say that she is likely tc l preferto--infor1n us when we're want
 ed I think we would only annoy her-by hanging around and offering
 unsought advice"
 "Na offense. no oftense!" cried Maj Hoadley placatingly. "Who said hanE around? But a weekly conference? ?
 Isn't necessary, is it, Mrs Harr1' son ?" asked Carl with unrelaxins courtIiness and formality.
 l wanted to cry out upon him fol
 the patent snobbishness of his atti tude in coming between me and thu