The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-10-05

York for nearly week.
 Now, the gun that made this trou- ble was forged at your works, and therefore, whether you wish it or not, you have a direct interest in the case. Perhaps I'm going to ask you some thing unusual, but it will be a great fa- vor If you will allow Mir. Sommers and myself to sail with you on the IT. vessa."
 Pinckney and Sommers both stared at the secret service man in amaze ment. The cool audacity of the pro- posal took them both off their feet Sommers was the first to recover
 Bradley! No!,. he exclaimed impet- uously.
 Pinckney bowed coldly.
 ''I'm sorry, sir," he said, s'but you are asking too much. ,T'hat'lls be. inn possible
 He turned away just as Frances, tired of the waiting, re-entered the courtyard.
 'Ah, Frances, you are ready ?" he asked. F
 Without replying the girl came straight to Sornmers. I)
 ''What are you going to do now P she asked directly.
 'I have been ordered to report at Washington at once to face the court of inquiry" returned the officer.
 The girl smiled. There were. both sadness and joy in it-sadness for his unfortunate situation, joy that they had chance still to be together.
 e'We are just starting," she suggest ed. Come with us on the yacht"
 Sommers shook his h d.
 "I'm sorry; I can't do that"
 The girl stood looking at him, hurt and uncertain. She had not expected that rebuff.. She could not understand it. Again Bradley seized the situation.
 Miss sDurant, MT. Sommers goes to Washington to endeavor to show why he should not be court martialed for neglect of duty the night his gun was forged It's most important that he get there as soon as possible, and no ship sails from this port for week. " Pinckney stepped forward angrfly.
 "Mr. Bradley, your explanation is most uncalled for" he exclaimed.
 Then Frances began to see. Her head came up, and her eyes lighted.
 "On the contrary, MT. Bradley, I'm very much obliged to you for your ex- pIanatien.'' she declared haughtily. Would it not be possible for you and Lieutenant Sommers to return with us?'
 Ut would be the greatest favor, Miss Durant,' be said earnestly. T had al ready requested it, but MT. Pinckney objects The girl turned on Pinckney haugh- tily.
 When Mr. Pinckney realizes that the Irvessa is my fathers yacht and that this gun was forged in my fathers works and that it is my desire that lieutenant Sommers and Mir. Bradley sail with us at once I am sure he will have no objections to offer" Rebuked, Pinckney bowed with i'll grace. !
 "Since Miss Durant wishes it am only too happy to have you come with us, of course,'' he said to Bradley. The secret service man bowed in turn.
 : sThen we'll go, of course, with thanks" he said simply. "If you will excuse me I'll get ready. Lieutenant Sommers and I will be at the dock within an hour"
 When Bradley and Pinckney both had gone Frances came over to where her lover was standing. ''That was wrong" she said, gently reproving. You should have trusted me more We must have no more misunderstanding! From now on what affects you affects me. You and are one, but don't you see"-she paused moment, looking up at him, hel heart in her eyes-"but don't you see I love you?"