The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-04-14
(Continued.l

(Continued.l
 As it was quite apparent to her that both her sister and brother-in-law were uneasy. she began to take on her self the responsibility of action. even if it should have to be followed by the odiun. Whats the use of being old maid if you can't do something!" she said to herself as a sort of rallying cry to her own nerves. Such gather ing of ones courage is not uncommon; it is. in unusual circumstances. to many men and to most women. It does not as a rule apply to profes- sional or accustomed duties. To the soldier, the 1awyer,2 the engineer, the man of commerce. each of such. the faculties which wait on the intelligence are always braced by habit And to the woman in her hours of social self consciousness the same applies. When woman puts on her best frock she is armed and ready aS completely as is the cavalry man with the thunder of the squadron behind him; as the artil- lery man when "Actt0p!' has been sounded. Ordinarily Miss Judith was equal tC all demands made on her; now she was engaging in matter in which she did not thoroughly under stand either the purpose or the end. Now she spoke:
 Have you been staying long in New York MT. Hardy?' At the moment Athlyne was talking with his hostess and did not seem to hear but Joy HedTQ ana said SenCly. 1dFOy. He turned suddenly red, even to his cars.
 T beg your pardon. I didn't . .'' There he stopped, suddenly realizing that he had almost betrayed himself. The fact was that he heard the ques- tion but forgot for an instant the part he was playing. His ears had been tuned to the music of Joys voice, and he did not wake at once to the less welcome sound. Partly it was of course due to the fact that as yet he had heard but little of Aunt Judy'S speech; her intentional silence had a drawback his explanation just in time to save suspicion from the rest of the family, but not from Judy, who having an intention of her own was alert to everything. She made a mental note to be afterwards eXcoginated: T did not'-what?''
 She repeated the question. He an- swered with what nonchalance he could:
 No. Only a few days.''
 Do you remain 1ong?'
 'I am sorry to say that I cannot I had promised myself a few days af- ter grizzlies; but that has to be fore gone for the present. Something has happened which requires my going back at once. But I hope to renew my visit before long," He was pleased with himself for the verbal accuracy of the statement and this treasured him.
 What pity you have to give up your hunting trip,'' said Colonel Ogil- vie, heartily "You would find it really excellent sport. I haven't had any of it for twenty years; but I'd dearly like to have another turn at it if I could"
 What boat do you go by?" ask ed Mrs. Ogilvie.
 By the French boat. The Migno- nette which sails on Saturday. He answered with confidence for he had spent a quarter of an hour looking it haf he had dreSSQd- and had already posted a letter to the office asking to have the best cabin open kept for him.
 What a pity,'' said Joy. "We are going on the Graphic on the Wednes- day after; you might have come with us'' She colored up as she became conscious of the dead silence-lasting for a few seconds-of the rest of the party.
 "H'm'' said the Colonel. "Perhaps dear MT. Hardy has req sons of his own for choosing his own route," said Mrs. Ogilvie. determined that her daughter should not appear to be too ardent in pressing the new acquaintanceship.
 Athlyne hastened to set matters right, as we'll as he could. He knew from his own bringing up that such a request should come rather from the parents than from the girl herself: but he understood and tried to protect her. He addressed himself therefore to Mrs. Ogilvie and not her daughter as he spoke.
 'It would I assure you. be delight to me to go on your ship. But un- happily it would not be possible. Some business matters. not altogether my own. are dependent on my arriving In England. If I had only known that he added with a smile which all three women accepted as "winning" that if had known. to begin with. that such delightful people existed But a no such knowledge. I must not say that happy accident for it was fraught with such danger to one whom you hold dear. But. that apart, 1t was a happy accident to me that has given me the opportunity of making friends whom I already value so highly!' This was for him quite long speech; he breathed more freely when it was over.
 When the ladies had gone. he and his host had long chat over their cigars. He was now more at ease. and as the conversation was all about sports and horses, matters in which he was thoroughly at home, he could speak more freely and more naturally than he had yet done. There was not any personal element which would require him to be on guard and so cause con- straint The result was that Colonel Ogf1vie got quite over his stiffness and began to warm to his genial influence,
 It was quite sign of his existing attitude that he now took on himself to say just what he had reprehended in his daughter:
 T am really sorry you can't come on the Graphic with us- It would make the voyage a new pleasure for us allr' As he spoke he took the young mans arm in a most friendly way; and to Joys secret delight, they came in this wise into the drawing room.
 CHAPTER VII.
 A Discussion.
 On reflection Lord Athlyne was glad that circumstances had not allowed him to travel on the Graphic with his new friends. At first he felt horribly disappointed; as if Fate had in measure checkmated him. Had he known that the Ogilvies were to travel on the White Star boat he could have