The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-07-23
By GEORGE BARR M'CUTCHEON
(Condnued.l
Copyright. 1903 by Dodd. Mea a Co.


 and women that his charges were fighting. He met the two lawyers often, but nothing passed between them that could have been regarded as the slightest breach of trust. He lived like raJah in his shady bunga- low, surrounded by the luxuries of one to whom all things are brought indi- visible. If he had any longing for the society of women of his own race and kind, he carefully concealed it. His indifference to the subtle though un- mistakable appeals of the two gentle in the extreme. When he deliberately, ton to tea one afternoon their humilia- ton knew no bounds.
 Lady Deppingham and Mrs. Browne should not be misunderstood by the reader. They loved their husbands am quite sure of that-but they were tired of seeing no one else, tired of talking to no one else. Moreover, in support of this one sided assertion, they experienced from time to time the most melancholy attacks of jeal- ousy. If Mrs. Browne in plain despair went off fo1 days ride with Lord Deppingham, that gentleman's wife was sick with jealousy. If Lady Ag- nes strolled in the moonlit gardens with Mir. Browne, the former Miss Bate of Boston could scarcely control her emotions. They shed many tears of anguish over the faithlessness of husbands, tears of hatred over the viciousness of temptresses. Their quar- rels were fierce, their uporaidings char acteristic, but in the end they cried and kissed and made up."
 They did not know, of course, that the willy Britt, despite his own depres- sion, was all the while accommodating the most astounding lot of evidence to show that a decided streak of insanity existed in the two heirs.
 .tIf they could only be married in some way" was Britt's private lament to Saunders from time to time when despair overcame confidence.
 'I've got ripping idea,'' Saunders said one day.
 Lets have it. You've always got lem. Why not divide with meT'
 Cant do it just yet. I've been look ing up little matter. I'll spring 1t soon.''
 How long have you been working on the idea P 4
 Nearly four months" said saun- ders, yawning.
 "Gad, this climate is enervatingv' was Britt's caustic comment
 Saunders was heels over head in love with Miss Pelham at this time, so it is not surprising that he had some sort of an idea about marriage, no matter whom 1t concerned.
 Night after night the Deppinghams and Brownes gave dinners, balls, mu- sica1es, bridges" masks and theater suppers at the chateau. First one would invite the other to a great bah, then the other would respond by giv- ing a sumptuous dinner.
 One morning during the first week in February the steamer from Alden brought stacks of mail-the customary newspapers, magazines, novels, tele- grams and letters. It was noticed that her ladyship had several hundred let ters, many bearing crests or coats of arms.
 At last she came to letter of many pages covered with a scrawl that look ed preposterous1y fashionable. Lady Agnes gave sudden shriek and, leap ing to her feet, performed dance that set her husband and Bobby Browne to gasping.
 She's comingr' she cried ecstatical- ly, repeating herself dozen times.
 'Who's coming, Aggy?" roared her husband for the sixth time.
 ''The princess! Deppy, I'm going to squeeze you! I must squeeze some body. Isn't it glorious? Now-now- now life will be worth living in this beastly place."
 Her dearest friend, the princess, had written to say that she was coming to spend a month with her.
 '1n her uncle's yacht Deppy-the big one that came to Cowes last year, don't you know? Of course you do Don't look so dazed. He's cruising for a couple of months and is to set her down here until the yacht returns from Borneo and the Philippines She says she hopes 1t will be quiet here. Quieti She hopes it will be quietr'
 "I say, Deppingham, you can take her out walking and pick up a crown full of fresh rubies every day or so," said Browne.
 Hang it all, Browne, I'm afraid to pluck violet these days. Every time stoop over I feel that somebody's going to take shot at me. I wonder why the beggars select me to shoot at. They're not always popping away at you, Browne Why is iti'
 Its all right so long as they don't kill you," was Browne's consoling re- mark.
 By Jove!" said Deppingham, start ing up with look of horror in his eyes, sudden comprehension rushing down upon him. ''I wonder if they think I am you. Browne! Horriblew
 The enemy's office hours were from to in the afternoon. Twice a week Miss Pelham came down from the cha teau in gayiy bedecked jinrikisha to sit opposite to him in his stuffy corner of the banking house. his desk between them, her notebook trembling with l MT. Britt generously | lent the pert lady to the enemy in f<x ho