Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-08-03


 Spectacles. unrecognizabl threat ening, was within few inches of his own. He felt his hot breath upon his cheek. For a moment there stole through his numbed senses fear of more terrible things. And then the grip which held him relaxed. Andrew stood away gasping. The crisis was over.
 You lied to me, George. Why"
 Duncombe did not answer. He could not It was as though his body had been emptied of all breath.
 You meant to keep the contents of < that telegram a secret from me. Why :? Was right, after all? Read me that telegram. George. Read 1t to me truth : fully"
 The telegram is from Spencer" 1" Duncombe said. "He is coming here"
 Here? Is he giving up the search? ? Has he failed, theny'
 "He does not say" Duncombe an- swered. "He says simply that he is coming here. He has wired for mo- tor to meet him at Lynn. He may be here tonight"
 A discordant laugh broke from Pel- hams lips.
 'sWhat about your Miss Fielding nowT he exclaimed. "Why do you suppose that he is leaving Paris and coming here? I was right. I knew that was right"
 Duncombe stood up. His expanse of shirt front was crumpled and battered. His white tie was hanging down in ribbons.
 Listen. Andreww he exclaimed. q am speaking of the girl by whose side I sat tonight at dinner, who calls her self. Miss Fielding. who has in plain words denied that she knows anything of Phyllis Poynton. want you to un- derstand this. Whatever she may choose to call herself that shall be her name. I will not have her questioned or bullied or watched. If Spencer comes here to do either, have finished with hira. I elect myself her protector Twill stand between her and all sus- picion of evil things"
 "She has found champion indeedr Pelham exclaimed fiercely. with Miss Fielding have nothing to do. Yet you had better understand this. If she be Phyllis Poynton she belongs to me and not to you. She was mine before you heard her name. I have watched her grow up from a child. I taught her to ride and to shoot and to swim. I have watched her listening to the wind. bending over the flowers in her garden. I have walked with her over the moor when the twilight fell and the mists rose. We have seen the kindling of the stars, and we have seen the moon grow pale and the east. ern sky ablaze. I have taught her where to look for the beautiful things of life. She has belonged to me in all ways save one. am poor. helpless creature now, George. but by the gods, l will let no one rob me of my one holy compensation. She Is the girl < love, the better part of myself"
 Phyllis Poynton may be all these things to you" Duncombe answered. sT do not know her. I do not recog nize her Find her if you can. Make of her what you will. All that 1 ask of you Is that you divest your mind of these senseless suspicious. Seek Phyllis Poynton where you will, but leave alone the woman whom I love. I will not have her troubled or an noyed by needless importunities. She says she is Miss Fielding. Then she Is Miss Fielding. It Is enough for me. It must be enough for your
 And what about SpencerT Pelham asked grfmly.
 Spencer in this matter Is my serv- ant" Duncombe answered. If hls search for Phyllis Poynton entails his annoying Miss Fielding, then be Is dis missed. will have no more to do with the business"
 T have heard of this man Spencer" Andrew answered. If you think that be is the sort of creature whom you can order about Ike that. fancy that you are mistaken. You may try to call him on. If you like. but you won't succeed. He Is searching for Phyllis Poynton, and he is coming here. be- lieve that he will find her"
 The windows were wide open, and i. both men suddenly turned round. There was no mistaking the sound which came to them from the road Foutside-the regular throb and beat of q perfectly balanced engine. Then they beard a mans voice, cool and precise
 Here you are. then, and a sovereign for yourself. A capital little car this. Good nightr'
 The little iron gate opened and clos ed. A tall man in a loose travelling coat and carrying a small bag entered. He saw Duncombe standing at the open window and waved his hand As l he approached his boyish face lit up Unto a smile.
 ~what luck to find you upr- he ex- Eialmed. You got my teIegramT
 ~An hour ago. Duncombe answered. /<Ths is my friend. Mfr. Andrew Pel- an. what win you haveT
 whisky and soda and q biscuit.
 .sse.- wss tbe prompt reply. Have
 upset you. | hope. coming down .bm the clouds in this fashionT ~Sot fn the least.- Duncombe ar- 'swered ~To1rve made us very curi pus though"
 Dear me- Spencer exclaimed ~what a pitTi I cane here to ash ouesfiouS. not to answer them Toa'ye