The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-09-01
4 WOMAN'S ENCHANTMENT
BY wILLIAM LE oUEUx ,opyright. 1909. by William Le Queux

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 6Continued from Page s.) ; an adventurer. but that he is an lssassin!'
 'Have you yet spoken to him con eernine his allegations7"
 Mot yet But when I do I shall speak out very straight" I said. Granny is one of my best friends, and he'll have to answer to me for these ralumnies''
 "But you won't make a scene here. MT. Ralston. will you?" she asked bending forward anxiously. Dad would never frogive me for repeating to you what MT. Garshore has told As." S
 '~shen he has spoken to your fath- rg"
 T think so-that's the worst of it.'
 3Why do you believe he has?"
 Because only this morning when I danced to mention MT. Cough casual " while he and I were in the library alone. He snapped out something about hoping that man would never dare to show his face again at Stapleton."
 I bit my lip. for saw that Garshore had been mischief making. and that the seeds of suspicion he had sown would take a good deal of uprooting. For a moment said nothing. was trying to see some solution of the great difficulty now presenting itself.
 ''So he has been endeavoring to poison your fathers mind-eh? For what reason. wonder?" I asked. Perhaps. Myra. he has aspirations to your hand. and is trying to take Gran nyss place in your heart"
 Take Granny's placer she cried re- sentfully, He will not do that-never lear. love Granny far too much. He Is. I confess to you-his best friend the only man I have ever loved," she added in a low. earnest tone. gazing at me with those wonderful blue-gray eyes that always held even myself. prosaic beachelor that was. In kind of fascination.
 "But I thought you said you liked Garshore ?'' remarked.
 sI did. when we first met. But can now see that in telling dad these extraordinary stories concerning my lover he has some distinct ulterior motive"
 Which is certain to be in favor of himself.' assured her. T happen to know something of this man. Myra. and I warn you against him. I can not tell you all until Granny permits me, but can assure you that Ralph Garshore Is his most bitter enemy. The dear old chap bears no malice to- ward anybody--or''
 "Or what?n she asked quickly. What could he dor"
 "He could make an exposure which would place Garshore in a very differ eht light in your fathers eyes. In- deed. I very much doubt whether. if your dad knew the truth. he would keep him as guest under his roof an- other hour.''
 You speak in enigmas. MT. Ral- ston.' she said. puzzled. Cannot you be more explicit?'
 "No. would only appeal to you for Granny's sake to disregard all these extraordinary f1ctions which this fellow is evidently spreading. He loves you. Myra. and is true to you!''
 GAnd I will be true to him. MT. Ral- ston, I promise you" the sweet-faced girl assured me. What Garshore has told me shall make no difference An! If be would only reply to my letters" 6"He's travelling. don't expect he has received your last letters. When [ saw him he told me that his destina- ton was very uncertain"
 That would coincide with Gar shore's statement that he is flying from justfce." she remarked. quietly, watching my face the while
 How I controlled myself I scarcely know. But managed to reassure her. telling her how deeply my friend was in love with her. and how. though he miehtl travel and not write. yet ev- Bry hour his toughts were of her.
 Poor Granny! He was under cloud: sadly under cloud at that mo- ment. was. I think. his only friend besides herself.
 Make a point of seeing MT. Gar shore alone. and learn from him his motive in uttering all these untruths,'' she urged. But do be circumspect. I beg of you. Do not let him know that you are already aware that he is Granny's enemy
 Leave him to me. Myra." I said. Place your trust in the man who loves you. and close your ears to all these foul calumnies. When the time comes for me to speak openly. shall speak. And when I do so, I assure you that the hard truth will be as unpalatable to this man as it will prove astounding to your father and yourself
 TT can only thank you. MT. Ral- ston. for your great kindness to us both,'' the girl said in deep. earnest tone, leaning her dimpled chin upon her small white hand Your words assure me that Garshere has told lies. Granny Cough is a gentleman. and will never believe that he is a mere adventurer!''
 T have said he is an adventurer, Miss Stapletonv' exclaimed a mans voice from among the bushes on the bank, causing us both to start and turn quickly. And I here repeat it! will prove it to you. This man-the man you love-is not only an adven- turer. but an assassin!''