The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-11-06
THE ALTENBURG CASE
By GEORGE DYRE ELDRIDGE
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 Suddenly it came to him. as an inde- pendent and wholly unconnected thought. that he was entitled to an ex- planation from Billings. the man to- whom he had intrusted the D loting of calden across the line. of his failure to carry out his agreement. And then. instantly. he knew. how or why he did not ask. that the man whom Fry was following was Billings himself. But this in place of helping him only rendered the riddle the darker It might. Of course. in a degree explain why Fry. who was essentially a man Of Limitations. was keeping Billings in view: but what was Billings doing? A sense of hostility to Fry and his fix seized on Grimbleshaw. so that he longed to warn Billings that some dan ger. unknown though it was as to it's nature. threatened him 1t was an odd thing. this of seeing one man stalk another. There was something. too. in the silent persistence of Fry that made Grfmbieshaw uneasy. and for the moment caused him to forget Chat it was through Billings unfaith- ' fulness. or want of cunning. that Cal den was in the hands of the authori- ties. instead of being already beyond the line While he was considering the matter hoofs sounded behind him and Judith Calden rode into the wood road
 At once he threw precautions to the wind and was at her side.
 T was trying to decide whether I ought to come and see you.- he said. You have taken a long way round. if you were 10 decide that you should come.T she said. smiling sadly.
 'I came this way because I wanted SO tremendously to come directly to you that dared not trust myself. Even as it was was on my way. vou see.'' Why shouldn't you come2'' she ask ed It was in some subtle way that he felt. but could not have explained. as if she asked. had that arrest made the difference.
 .'Because Horace and have guar reled- It didn't seem quite fair to him.
 V Then you were thinking of him and not of mez-
 s.Think1nE9 SFes. But my will. my heart. my hopes were all with you. and these guided my feet In spite of my thoughts-r a q haven't so many friends" she said. with tears in her eyes. that the lew I have should doubt long if they shouId come to me in my trouble"
 He saw his act in a new light. as if he had shaped it by his own wounded pride rather than by her need and the demand, of true friendship.
 fOh. if had hoped that could heir you-I
 Tn such trouble as this even the Snowledge of friendship helps.- she said. softly.
 He had motioned her as he came to her side not to stop her horse. and had walked beside 1t along the wood road In this way they passed the spot where the two men had com' from the underRrowth. and he hal noted an indistinct path that seemed Y to lead off to the right along whicf they must have come. He fixed tn marks so that he could, find the spo again
 ..But.- he said. 'T felt that if Ho-acl doubted me I had no right to come"
 Poor Horace" she siEhed: -it ha been very terrible for himr'
 .-So more than it has been for you not so bad for he is a man" he said resentfu1ly.
 -Ah. but he has been under suspicion also; suspicion of the detectives: sus picion of the public: susp'cion of hi father and" she dropped her voice ~even of myselft'
 Yea he said. -I know bow terribl. all that must be. for have beei through a part of it. and that last that even you should suspect me wcult be the most terrible of all."
 -1t" she exclaimed. T suspect you Never. Why. no one could. least O an IT..
 An" he said. smiling with joy a the strength of her assurance man. have. Horace does even now. but ft' all rirht so long as your faith holds
 sOh. it can't be- she cried. ''whe you have done so much for us.''
 Forgive me for having said so." h pleaded. "and forget that I did H was snartfng under the news of hl fathers arrest and felt. perhaps. ths was in part to blame for it-''
 How could her Why should he? sha demanded -T was hurt. oh. s much. but could never have though of blaming you" and her hand sli into his. with a touch that was a maideniy. ret full Of reassuring faitl He touched his lip to it before h spoke again Then he pleaded for Hor ace. feeling for him in his own new born happiness. and above all remer bering that he was her brother.
 But Horace felt of course. that h father had preiudEced himself and ha done SO for the sole purpose of pro tecting him. That was trouble beyon all other. especially as 1t showed tht his father must have believed hi guilty
 Yes" she said. glad to accept tf excuse on behalf of her brother ar gateful to him for offering it. '-ths was the most terrible thing about after all"
 sTs your horse gentle2' he aske suddenly. in a low tone.
 She leaned forward quick to cate