The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-09-08
CHAPTER " (Continued)
 Secure, and ROIder

CHAPTER " (Continued)
 Secure and Bolder
 As Mrs. Lake studied the features of the clergyman, the thought flashed across her mind that here was man -in whom she could confide. But the rugged honesty stamped on that face checked her.
 q paesume you are all upset over the prospective marriage?" he sud- denly asked.
 '"rhe house seems unusually placid for such a great event." she replied. 'I have seen very little of Ethel in the last few days. have been too ill to go out"
 Nothing serious, hope?"
 'tNo, only a slight indisposition,"
 ''I notice the marriage is beginning to attract newspaper attention. Your husband is in the limelight now, and the reflection of his prominence nat ura1ly falls on all those about him."
 Again that sinister shadow fitted across her mind. Again she felt the impulse to seize it, to drag it out of it's grave, and exhibit it before the clergyman. But she let it slip past her and returned to the subject of the marriage.
 q think Ethel will be very happy" she remarked.
 q am sure of it," Dr. Phillips re- sponded heartily.
 Do you know" he said, "I often wish I could get you to join-to take a personal interest in some of our church charities? Whenever I ac- ,cept your check. I do so with dif1- dence. I want ever so much to have you see the use to which we put your money.'
 After the marriage she sighed, "I hope to take a very active interest in the work. I am so anxious to do mething-something worthy"
 There will be many things for you to do," the clergyman persisted. Many things! We are in need of work ers-we need them more than money just now. We are going in for prison-reform work more than ever."
 Doctor" she asked sharply. what becomes of the women criminals-I mean those released from prison?"
 We find employment for as many as we can," he drawled thoughtfully. ''They are a very difficult problem. A great many of them enter some useful employment-many of them marry"
 And do their husbands know of their past-of their criminal past, I mean?"
 "I have never inquired as to that" &he answered smilingly. "It is not an inquiry one would care to under take.''
 their parole"
 "Oh, yes. A fair percentage do But they invariably are hunted down When a probationer falls to report word is at once sent to the police to arrest her on sight, | She moved her head into the snad- ow of the wall. The blood had left her cheeks, but the pa1eness was hid den by the shade. 1 "I'I go out with you," she told the | clergyman as he rose to leave. 1 They parted at the foot of the steps She walked south on Fifth avenue.
 As she passed a jewellers shop she noted it was o'clock. The hour al which Ethel and Frank usually had tea! She went to the. tea room where she found them at one of the round wicker tables. They looked ur in amazement at her unexpected in strusion.
 Why, I thought you were so very ill!" Frank cried.
 .fFll not interrupt the cooing lovers | long," she retorted
 | I'm awfully glad you came" Ethe declared T have so much shopping to do and you can help me-" After tea. they went down Fiftf avenue to Twenty-thir1 street where Frank left the women.
 Mrs. Lake visited with Ethel sew eral stores, making purchases. In the car she became absorbed iI talk with the girl Her mind was free Of its haunting fear. She though only or the wedding. a1id discussed al its details At Fifty-niath stree they entered the park and sat on 2 bench.
 Mrs Atwood passed. leaning baci comfortably, in an open carriage, She bowed cordially to her prospective daugter-1n-1aw, and waved her hand as she drove by, in token that sht was about to stop at the Lake home
 At the house they found Mrs. At wood awaiting them T have such good news to tel you, she said gaily. I've are al going to the Van Schuyler ball to- morrow night! You know, Frank ant Ethel and I had been invited, an6 today Mrs. Van Schuyler rang me LII ana asked me to bring MT. and Mrs Lake She beamed on the wife e the railroad president. ihere are persons who would giv' home Of Mrs. Van Schuyler. Yol are very lucky"
 Tne honor evoked no responsive .hflll In Mrs. Lake. But she prom lseo 10 go-and to bring Harvey. sI CHAPTER V
 nrs' Lake had. ore of those mobile