The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-06-20
Copyright, 1920, Kings Features Syndicate, Inc
 CHAPTER 59O


 CHAP PIER 59O During the early part of my dinner with Tony it seemed as if even his society couldn't stimulate me to the point of shaking off my lassitude I was so tired and depressed that it was almost too much trouble to go through l the movements of eating. But grad ually the savor and flavor and strength of the dinner which Toney so carefully selected began to have it's effect. I found myself reacting from tiredness to intense nervous ness
 My brain began to feel as if it were merry-go-roUnd. And like the prancing horses and flying char:ots of the carouseI, the incidents of the last few days whirled through my consciousness. I found myself getting paTched and dry. I put out my hand for my glass of water, thinking the brisk coolness of the ice water would refresh and steady me. But the sight of my own ringless hand brought a rush of feeling to my heart and a rush of tears to my eyes.
 Anne. you're exhaustedl You're working too hard. I can see that at T glance. It must be stopped" said Tony, grinly.
 Tt can't be stopped" I protested.
 ''Oh, yes it can-and Anthony Nor reys is just the man to do it. You need a firm hand on the reins, friend Anne. So just make up your mind that pressure is going to be brought to bear from two sides. Carlotta Sturges aiding and abetting this Nor reys man of whom we've spoken is going to see that you two happy houSemates take a vacation in the peace of the country. How's that ?''
 At the moment I didn't stop to won der how Tony knew he could count on Carlotta to fit in with his plans. didn't go further and question the airy explanation he'd given me in the car a few moments before of how he'd found me. I only realized that Tony was speaking with the voice of au- thority and threatening to come be- tween me and the hard work I must do in order to get my tottering bus mess firmly established on it's feet.
 ''I can't take vacation!'' I cried, 'T have to work harder than ever have in all my life. The business will smash if I don't"
 Any one trying to smash t? Any enemy working against you?'
 Tony's voice held no promise of good for anyone who was my enemy I realied that he might think I was afraid of Max Hoadley in a business way. This explanation was open to Tony Even if he understood the full ugly meaning of the scene he'd broken in upon in my office, he might still incline to the belief that I had made a business enemy of Max Hoad- ley.
 'I haven't a business enemy in the world No one has a thing to gain by wrecking my little rganiZation," I protested forgetting Dick West be- cause distance rendered him tempor- arily impotenr.
 ''Have you a good assistant?" de- nIanded Tony
 Miss Mays a jewell
 "Righto You've sad it, Anne. You've no foes to fear; you've an as sistant you can trust; ergo-you take a vacation smiled Tony, in fine feather at the way he'd made me com init myseIf ''We'u get hold of Pat and Jeanie, and I'll motor you good pals up into the mountains We'll take Miss Sturges, too if you'd like
 It sounded all settled. It flashed through my mind that Carlotta would be transported to the seventh heaven of delight at the thought of such a trip with Tony. And then the ab- surditv of a plan to take Virginia and me on a pleasure trip together goaded me beyond endurance.
 q can't go. Virginia hasn't spoken to me for weeks-not since Phoeoe aIoned with Neal," I cried