The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-07-03

I'll help." she said softly.
 Great" he beamed. 'I knew you were that sort. And the first thing we have to do is to prove that the two O'Connor's are really man and wife, then it's a ten-to-one bet that we can find out a dozen more things. And believe you will agree that the man told the true story when he first burst into the room, won't you?"
 'Yes, I think they're married"
 And if they are Buck isn't married to her at all, and he's free to marry er-any one who might care to have him" The girl flushed rosily.
 TT guess so. If any one would have him-after this escapade.''
 So much for that. For some req son, Mrs. Macartney-or Mrs. O'Con- nor-or whatever her name is-avoids me as the plague That despite the fact that she greeted me with open arms this morning. It's up to you to cross-examine her.
 Up to mel"
 Exactly Pretend you're still furi- ous with Buck. Then maybe she'll loosen little info"
 'I see, But"
 You promised"
 Virginia rose.
 Very we'll I'll do what I can But I warn you that I have my own plans
 What do you mean?''
 T won't say. But so long as I'm in the house I'll help you"
 Fair enough Good luck to you'
 Virginia found Thelma in her bed room. The actress sazed at the other woman in frank surprise. ''Hellow! How came you to drift in here?"
 ''I have a headache" sighed vir- sfn1a with a senblance of truth I'm tired out. This morning has been too much for me. And I'm sorry I snapped at you-but I was unstrung.'' 9
 Thelma was across the room in an instant, her arms about virginia's shoulders in sudden motherliness
 There, there deary. Thelrna O'Con- nor ain't the one to hold that against you. I'm sorry-honest I am. Sorry for this whole mixup. And if Strat- ford" She paused abruptly.
 ''If Stratford-what? ?"
 Nothing" briefly, nothing at all"
 Virginia was too keen to again re- fer to Stratford, but she felt that she had discovered something, however unimportant it might be. She loosen ed the collar of her waist and threw herself across the bed
 ''Fm tired.'' she said simply. "Aw. fully tired. And so worn out and So disappointed.'
 Thelma eyed her peculiarly.
 'In Buck ?'
 Yes"
 Listen, deary, don't you worry none about Buck. H~The'u be free of me"
 But I thought yoou said you wouldn't divorce him ?''
 I did say so. But a woman ain't got nothin', if 1t ain't the right to change her mind Amt that a fact ?''
 Yes-that's so. I'm angry at Buck. IT guess you understand"
 Sure. I understand" Thelnna seat ed herself on the bed. loosened her klnor,1o and crossed the left leg over the right. You never can under stand men," she soliloquized. 'They always do what you don't expect 'em to. And there are things m this world that look alfred funny until after they're explained. I'd say inst as matter of advice. that it ain't mo- ways wise to condemn nobody unti1 all the testimony's in. Not that I'm saying that has any particular refer ence to anything what's happened nere thls morning; but it's a good rule to follow"
 T think" Virginia affected a semi Indifference, that you do mean that to apply to this particular case"
 Fhelma shrugged.
 Even bet" she said non-commit tally Beans is good things when they're baked. Spill 'em and--blooev. l"
 Virginia pressed her fingers to her forehead
 Tt hurts" she complained.
 m mighty sorry If there's any thing I can do"
 Nothing, thanks "I'lI be all right pretty soon p i,s- ., at Thelma's left ankle, traveIed mn . very rounded calf and beyond inc Knee where the kimono had fallen frankly away. Isn't that a tear in your stocking?" she asked idly.
 "here?" Thelma made a. thorough exam1nation. No, there ain't no tea there" 'ee'i
 guess 1t must have been the way .I .Ie hsnt was shining" said Virginia II looked like Jacobs ladder" Five minutes later she managed to get away from Thelma's room. She round Jimmy Shannon chatting with howard Manning, much to that lat. ter gentleman's evident disgust She slsnaled him and at length he man aged to break away and follow hey into the hall. Her eyes were sb,nir. With trfumph-and something more Where's Buck? ?" uoh hnoW; I'll hunt him up'
 I'll wait here. Hurry I've some. thing important to tell you.''
 Jimmy found Buck staring moodi1v out Of the window. It was a smilfne Buck who. with Jimmy at his elbo-,~ raced Virginia in the darkness of the hallway. 'ie Listen" Virginia's voice was vi. | orant with tense excitment. "yo, remember that when that O'Connor man came in here first and T,he,ma sald she'd never see him, he described certain things about her which onIv . husoand could-or should-know | Yes-yes'
 we'll, Virginia's tones rang will triumph, I've just been in the bed room with Thelma. She has scs, on her left thigh" Gro Be Contfnued)
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