The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-09-09
CHAPTER XXI.
In Which I Make a Promise.

In Which Make a Promise. To what hidden chapter in her history had she referred? I recollected her words of half an hour before. when she had told me that Granny was the victim of the scoundrel Garshore. 1.-The victim of untoward circumstances like myself.'' she had declared.
 Had the charge that she dared not face-the charge which, if made. would she plainly told me-bring self-de- struction upon her, any connection with the mysterious affair in Redcliffe Gardens?
 It has been alleged that she was the and yet. in face of her statement to me. how could that be?
 That she feared this man Cecil Will loughby. alias Rufford. alias Garshore. and alias a dozen other names. was only too apparent. Yet if she dared not allow me to assist her. why had she faced a. breach of the convenances and come here to my rooms alone?
 Her manner. and the fear possessing her, puzzled me greatly. What secret lay behind those dark. luminous eyes?
 I changed the subject and spoke of Granny. expressing wonder regarding his present whereabouts.
 .Myra told me that he is abroad, she thinks She has not heard from him.
 "Garshore is his enemy remark ed. with a slight sigh.
 ,'I know!" she exclaimed, her eyes flashing quickly. 'I know that MT. Cough has fled in fear"
 'Why?''
 She shrugged her shoulders in pre- tense of ignorance But fixing my eyes upon her. I urged
 "Come, Miss Maynard. swhy not be frank, with me? Why do you fear this man Garshore's vengeance?'
 tHe-he was once my lover," she said in a low voice. scarce above a whisper.
 And what pray, does that matter?" I asked. ''You discovered his real mode of life and abandoned him. as was but natural. He posed to you as .an honest man."
 'Yes. But"
 "But what?"
 'I know too we'll the relentlessness of his revenge if he fell again into the hands of the police."
 'And are you to be sacrificed mere iy because a clever detective officer identifies him?" I cried. '"This is monstrous!"
 'Tf he is arrested no argument will avail to turn him from the belief that it was owing to my information
 "Why?"
 "Because it is so greatly to my per- sonal interest that he should be sent back to prison" was her answer.
 "You mean you would then be free from this thraldoR of criminal. eh?''
 "Exactly,s she answered. That is why you must swear, MT. Ralston, to keep this knowledge to yourself. You will do so. won't you?"
 Well. if you insist. I suppose I must preserve the secret-ony-'
 And you will not tell even your closest friend, MT. Cough. Remember" she added. ''you have given mean unfortunate girl-a promise. And the carrying out of that promise means means to me my life!"
 She had risen stiffly at these words. and was looking into my face with a deep earnestness such as I had never before seen there.
 She held out her hand. and I was compelled to grip it in confirmation of my pledge of secrecy. It's touch again thrilled me. How could I betray the woman I loved--even though upon her rested a mysterious shadow--the shad- ow of a guilt that must be revealed if this man Garshore, were arrested?
 And it was. she had. declared to me, a guilt which she dared not face.