The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-06-12
CHAPTER 5S3

copyright, 1SZU. King edIuTSS SyHOl-
 cate, Inc. "Youre prompt" was Daisy's greet ing when I arrived at Toms uptown studio, which lies about halfway be- tween the Sturges home and my of flee. What hurried you so? Was it curiosity as to what I'd have to reveal to you?"
 There was note of insistence in her voice which set my frazzled nerves to vibrating. Her costuirne did nothing to soothe them. It was one of the high sophisticated black satins she affects, with it's only trimming small collar of real Venise lace. Now, in addition to the necklace of black en- ame1 and gold and pearls which she seems to Haunt, she wore earrings Of gold fringe tipped with pearls. They added the last touch to her appearance | of smart but hard worldliness. The | little grain of dust girl who once was Daisy Condon had given place to | a rather statuesque young person with an avid look of hunger for life. She's annoy me more if she worried me less. While I was reacting to her ap- pearance I managed an unruff1ed re- | ply to her questions:
 'I rushed to you because I must get to my office shortly. And if I were not curious over your highly cryptic | but very incisive demand that I come to call quickly, Daisy, I'd be no true daughter of Eve"
 Then you area true daughter of | Eve?" queried Daisy, with a touch of insolence.
 ''I confess it. So please don't keep me waiting with your information.'' 1 Daisy smiled blandly, opened a bag of silk tapestry with a top of antique | siler and then-her eyes opaque as | they focused on mtne-she held out an envelope. At a glance I could see that it was of cheap, yel1owish- white paper-the kind one buys in a fly specked box at a little country general store miles from anywhere-including the main road. The second glance revealed Tom Mason's unforgetab1e little scriggles in the heavy strokes of | his fountain pen.
 I took the envelope, asking:
 '"The burning question is: How did you come by this? %
 "Tn swap you information for in formation" replied Daisy coolly. 'T'1l tell you how it same to me if you'll tell me what's in it."
 I couldn't restrain my resentment | Do you think that what's in my letter is likely to concern anyone ex- cept-the person to whom it's writ ten D.
 Daisy bridled. But as she flung up
 
 | nation outmatchiing my own passing feeling of annoyance, I noticed that her eyes filmed over and became gentle and pleading
 | -'I think that anything Tom says or does is likely to concern me- she flung out, adding qualifying, I'm right here in the place,you know-in charge I-there might be a message for me-
 ''If this came as enclosure to you. | all in your own lettteers?" I asked bInu- deringly.
 For reply, Daisy held out a sheet Of paper of the same cheap yellow O. k. On 1t was written:
 Dear Lady Manager: Please turn over the enclosed to Mrs. Harrison without delay. And don't let any cu- rious person glean any information by listening over the wire. It might be well to get Mrs. H. down to the office where there aren't any hangers-on Take good care of yourself and the studio I know the last remark is ex- cess baggage. See you soon Yours,
 ''T H"
 He knows you well enough to be non-committa1, doesn't he?" I com mented hoping to sothe Daisy's natural hurt at the cavalier matter-of-fact- ness of this note. "I think it is a sure sign of friendship when a man can ask a favor of a girl without go- ing into long-winded explanations"
 Friendship" snarled Daisy" As if you didn't know me better than that. As if you didn't know Tom Masfn better. We'll, are you going to play fair and give me some idea what he's writing to you about-even if it is none of my business from your point of view and-terribly much my affair from mine"
 'Daisy!" I replied coolly holding } her glance with mine and speaking with all the firmness at my com I mand. Nothing that MT. Mason writes to me in this secret manner can be your concern-or anyone's but l mine. The mere fact that anyone is sending me a mysterious letter ought to he enough to tell you that I'm in volved in affairs of real magnitude @ Those could only concern my hus- band-or my business. And neither 3 of them needs your stamp of ap- l prova1. I'm sorry to speak to you SC brutality, but you invited it - yor I forced me to it."
 2 Daisy's eyes flashed. She looked 2 at me challenging1y, flaming to some thing actually tropical and predatory l Cl1ir bn1 oh d I