The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-09-16

IL was true, put Granny,S friend. There were certain private reasons why he should not just now put foot in England. he had explained to me when I had first begged him to return; but at last I overcame all his ebjec- t1ons. and one dull. overcast day at 12 o'clock we found ourselves standing
 ln small private sitting room in the big Station Hotel at York. the window of which overlooked a broad green sward and the gray Minister beyond. l had brought him there in order to
 meet Elfrida and Myra-and beside him, at peril of his own personal se- curity. stood the man he had so un- fortunately denounced to the police Granny Cough
 The latter, smart and clean-shaven as usual. wore we'll cut suit of blue serge. and in, his cravat a fine dia- m ond pfn-only yesterday redeemed from pawn. he said. As he stood upon the hearthrug in low conversation with his fellow-crook and whilom enemy, he looked the perfect picture of the pros- porous man. No one, indeed, would ever have taken the easy-going lumor- ous Granny Cough to be an adven- turer; and. indeed in his remarkable personality lay much of his success With Tom Winch it was different. for he had the air Of the cardroom and race-course about him-an air which he could never put off
 I confess that I, like Granny, was also very apprehensiye as to the result of that meeting. I had taken a very
 bold step. as you will presently see one so bold, indeed. that it might be very easy for me to fail ignominiously. The two men I had brought there, to the center of England. were very badly wanted by the English police and for all knew they might both have already fallen under observation Cunliffe had remained in London on the previous day-to have an inter view with Garsf1ore. What the result of that had been now puzzled me- for he had not telegraphed an account of it. as he had promised
 T don't half like this, Phil" de- clared Granny. standing aside with me. twisting cigar nervously between his fingers. T was far safer out in Turkey
 . | plain to her. said. "You will now have an opportunity
 Yes, I know. But will she believe me ?~that's the question. In any case, must show myself to her in my true gcolors-an adventurer. without shiIl- ing"
 It will be the best test of her affec- tion," remarked quietly. at the same time wondering what would be FL frida's explanation of Garshore's thrall- dom upon her.
 As we had spoken the Minister clock had struck noon. and almost immedi- ately afterward waiter appeared, announcing:
 Two ladies to see you. sir."
 gave orders for them to be shown in,. and in few seconds, Myra and Elfrida, in dark tweed dresses and motor hats. were standing before us. Myra had motored her friend over from Nation upon their secret expedi- tion.
 { The lovers grasped hands in silence
 "a silence more eloquent than words. Tears stood in the eyes of both. I. Granny was the first to speak. .Myra,". he faltered. .T-I am here to ask your forgiveness. I'm not what I pretended to be. am only a poor man-so poor that, before we go further, ask you to release me from our engagement"
 She started, staring straight at him.
 'Because-ah! it is because you do not love n1e?" she blurted forth, tears iy, hoy Co
 "No--because I still love you better than my life. Myra," he assured her in low. hoarse voice. holding her hand still in his. Because, loving you as do. refuse to allow you to ally yourself with one so unworthy of you or of your family-a man who well, q may as well tell the truth at ,once-who is ah adventurer! There! T. have told you the truth!" he added. And now I ask you to forgive me to forgive and forget me-
 For moment the girl was silent her gaze fixed upon him.
 ''No.'' she said magnanimously. Until I know the truth. dearest, I refuse to release you from your pledge to me-
 He sighed.
 "The truth! Ah!'' he exclaimed with bewildered air. would that it could really be toldv'
 Elfrida was standing near the win dow facing me. That she was nerv- ous and unstrung was plain from Der drawn, b1anched features and the ter- rifiHd look in her beautiful eyes.
 Her attitude was that of one brought there much against her will and dreading the terrible ordeal she had resolved to face.
 Wher Granny had sufficiently recov- cred himself from the meeting with his well beloved he introduced Winch to the two girls. saying:
 "As it was Mr. Winch who first gave information to the police against me. perhaps he will make explanations of the reasons which prompted him to give me an opportunity to escape. To him owe my present liberty
 .'Certainly'' answered the clever thief. "I discovered that I had been noisinforrne r,isinformed re-