The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-06-24

| evening?" she asked with a certain | breathlessness.
 | realized that this was as near | as she'd come to asking me if I'd | actually been facing the business diff faculties she feared and if Tony had been of help to me. In a moment I determined that I'd ] tell her all that loyalty to Tony per mitted.
 l NO, that isn't how we spent the ] evening"" I confessed. We discuss ed my business I've given pretty ex- tensive credit and so I've strained my | resources. I'm trying to carry the | newspaper advertising of a wholesale l shoe firm that went pretty near the I rocks. To continue my poetic mode | of speech-I got caught in the back washI"
 Very poetic," said Carlotta ~ sol emnly. The twinkle behind this exagger- ated agreement with my words told me that Carlotta's sense of humor was lurking just around the corner and that if I could coax it a bit further we could get back to our usual easy-going frankness. Now. for some prose-" I said, con- | tinuing in the strain I hoped would keep Carlotta from over-stressing
 
 point where it was money or my offices life. I didn't know where to go''-
 'You couldn't come to me. I sup pose"
 Carlotta made the statement with | a touch of bitterness; every unlike her usual generous understanding. 'Carlotta, here goes for a large dose of unalloyed truth. Facts are lofr gems of truth all over the table How do you feel about Iistening?" I questioned. refusing to depart from my light tone.
 What are you going to tell me nothing youhl ever regret having me -share?" gasped Car1otta
 Bless your heart-no, Not un- less you suddenly turn tattle-tale," I replied. You think I didn't come to you for help because Pm a petty souled person who can't bear to be under too heavy a weight of obliga- ton even to those for whom I care most. Well-you're right. I'm not big and fine, and open-handed and open-hearted, like you. I do feel con- scious of how beho1den am to you. And I'd love it to be able to show you how much it seems to me to have this home with you--''
 I've told yOu," began Carlotta. But I waved her aside with up-fiung hand and on-marching voice:
 E'Pd have come to you in spite of my scruples. I'd have counted on you as I've always relied on Betty's endless loyalty. But any deal we put through on normal business basis would need your partners signature. And your partner happens to be Vir- ginia's husband Now-have shown my faith in you by revealing all this?" ---
 Anne! I'm a beast. forced you to break down your reserve and your feeling-of family dignity-to salve my hurt I'm 50 ashamedI" Carlotta cried.
 I'm telling you nothing more than I confessed to Tony-when I agreed to let him arrange with his bank for the loan need" I replied quietly.
 Carlotta's eyes met mine for a mo- ment and seemed to be probing for some assurance. After a moment she said quietly:
 I'm glad Anthony Norreys was to stand by. You must be very happy to know that you can always turn to him-without fearing com plications. I've simply got to tear along now. Good-by, dear.''
 She whirled out of the room. filing ing back her farewell from the hall. For the first time since I've known her. the real Carlotta eluded me.