The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-03-25
SECTION
When 4 Girl Mdrvies
By ANN LESLIE.

Ana ask your permission in advance to come out with the whole thing
 Go on Berthra,'' I said quietly.
 l felt sure that it would be distaste- full to me to listen to the rest of Ber- tha'S story. As far Virginia was concerned, I could hardly bear the thought of getting at her view point and actions in this way. But I had one of those sudden, blinding "hunches that come sometimes in a flash of revelation. And this one told me that for Jims sake I must find out just what had occurred between Jeanie. Bertha and the sly-footed Hedwig.
 Well, ma'am, Mrs. Dalton was crazy. Oh, she didn't rear up and ramp around like some folks that call themselves ladies would have done. She just froze to ice and said, indeed and was in the habit of permitting marauders to come upon the place where I was working and never make any report of it. She doesn't know 1t was Lyons in the garage. That is the one thing that Hedwig wasn't wise to.
 She just thinks it was most likely the man that was sneaking around under the drawing room windows early in the evening and that knew something about him. I could have cleared it up with a word or so. But
 
 have cost you too much and maybe then when MT. Norreys comes back Lyons would of been out of a place.
 You were quite right, Bertha" I asserted in level tones.- You acted with loyalty to your husband and me. and acted with common sense Tvs no complaint or comment. The next thing Is to take care of you-I have it. Wait here a moment" On the words, I dashed up to Car- lotta's room A light under the door told me that she was up and so knocked timidly. She came out at once paler than ever, in long black chiffon negEgee oveN which her loosened hair fell in a cascade of flame.
 'tIs there anything I can do for you, Anne, dear?' she cried characteris- tically, reading some need in my face ''Carlotta, the woman down stairs | is an ex-maid of mine. Her life is | complicated by many things it wouldn't be fair to her to explain. I did something out at Dreamwold | which Virginia considers high-hand- l ed and worse-but it was for Jim, Bertha was involved. She didn't de- fend herself and Jeanie sent her ! packing without a reference. There are reasons why it won't be easy for | Bertha to get another place. I won | dered"- l ''If we could make a place for her 1 here?" Car1otta broke in, with her 1 rare smile. 'tOf course. What is | more natural than that you should open your home to the faithful ser want who has stood by you? Even if Zabe1le were not into1erab1y inn pudent, we could make a place for this Bertha of yours. It's your home, | too, Anne. I wish you had known'- l Car1otta's voice trai1ed off, but I | took up her words.
 l "Of course. you wish I had known I that there is nothing I can ask, of you which you won't gladly do. But this may cost you Virgtnia's regard. eff it does" remarked Carlotta, l terse1y, staring me full in the eye, 1 ''her regard isn't worth having. | But as I went down to tell poor | Bertha that she had come into a l safe haven, I found myself wonder ling how far this feud between Jfm's sister and me would carry it's ugly influence. For it was a ''feud" now I-I knew that Virginia would feel that I'd thrown down the gauntlet"
 Gro Be Continued)