The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-05-11
(Continued.l CHAPTER XXI.
The Ratchet Buried.

cContinuedA
 CHAPTER XXI.
 The Hatchet Buried.
 For a few minutes there was silence in the room; silence so profound that every sound of the street was clearly heard. Even the shutting of the Sher- iff's door in the room below was dis tinct.
 The first to speak was Colonel Ogii- vie. Athlyne. who would have liked to break the silence refrained through prudence; he feared that were he to speak before Colonel Ogilvie did, that easily-irate gentleman might take of fence. He knew that this might be disastrous, for it would renew the old strife. in an acute form: as it was, there was distinct indications of com ing peace. Joy, and Joy alone, was to be thought of now. By this time Athlyne was beginning to get the measure of Colonel Ogilvie's foot. He realized that the dictatoria1, vindictive, blood-thirsty old man would perhaps do much if left to himself. but that if hindered or thwarted or opposed in any way his pride or his vanity-and they were united in him-would force him to keep his position at any cost.
 Well sir?' The tone was so per emptory and SO Superior" that any man to whom it had been used might we'll have taken offence: but Athlyne was already schooled to bear. and moreover the statement made by the Sheriff filled his heart with such glad ness that he felt that he could bear anything. As Joy was now his wife he could not quarrel with her father nor receive any quarrel from him. Still, all the same. he felt that he must sup port and maintain his own independent position: such would be the best road to ultimate peace. Moreover. he had his own pride; and as he had already made up his mind to die if need be for Joys sake, he could not go back ny, hof cnaroiy1c be disloyal to her. There would-could be no hiding anything from her as she had already heard the whole of the quarrel and of his acquiescence to ever. would have thought he had any quarrel who heard his reply, spoken in exouisitely modulated accents of re- spect:
 Need I say. Colonel ogilvie. that I am equally proud and happy in finding myself allied with your House by my marriage with your daughter. For. sir. love her with all my soul. as well as with all my heart and mind. She is to me the sweetest. dearest and best thing In all the universe. am proud of her and respect her as much as I love her; and to you. her father, hope bless for so long as I live-the day that could call her mine" As he spoke. Joys hand on his arm. which had trembled at the beginning. now Srlppe1 nlIn naTQ ana uIniy. IuTIlluS his eyes to hers he saw in them look of adoration which made his heart leap and his blood seem on fire. The beau tiful eyes fell for an instant as red tide swept her face and neck: but in an instant more they were raised to his eyes and hung there. beaming with pride and love and happiness This neryed and Softened him at once, to even a gentler feeling toward the old man: those lovely eyes had always looked trustingly and lovingly into her fathers, and he would never disturb so he vowed to himself-if he could avoid it by any sacrifice on his part. such filia1 and parental affection. And so. with gentler voice and softened mien. he went on speaking.
 Now must ask you to believe. sir. that with the exception of that one fault-a grave one admit-of taking Miss Ogilvie out alone in my motor I have not willingly or consciously been guilty of any other disrespect towards you. You now understand. of course, that it was that unhappy assumed name which prevented my having the pleasure of visiting you and your fam- fly on this side of the Atlantic. No one can deplore more than I do that unhappy alias. The other though I regretEand regret deeply-the pain it has caused. cannot be sorry for, since it has heen the means of making Joy my wife,
 Here he beamed down into the beau tiful grey eyes of the said wife who was still holding his arm. AS he fin ished she pinched gently the flesh of his arm. This sent thrill through him: it was a kiss of sorts and had much the same effect as the real thing. Joy noted the change in his voice as he went on:
 'I so respected your wishes. sir, that did not actually ask in words Joy to be my wife until I should have obtained your permission to address myself to her. If you will look at that letter you will see that it was written at Ceann- do-Shail, my place in Roos-shire-days before I posted it.
 Then if you did not ask her to marry you; how is it that you are now married-according to the Sheriff?" He thought this poser. and beamed ac- cordingly. Athlyne answered at once:
 When two people love each other, l sir. as Joy and I do. speech is the least adequate form of expression. We did not want words; we knew!" Again Joy squeezed his arm and they stood close together in a state of rapture. The Colonel. with some manifest hesi- tation. said:
 With regard to what the Sheriff spoke of as real cause of scandal was there. -. ?"
 "That. sir.' said Athlyne interrupt ing with as fierce and truculent an aspect as had been to the Colonel at | any moment of the interview "is sub | ject on which I refuse to speak, even | to you" Then after a pause he added: |
 "This will say to you as her father | who is entitled to hear it: Joys honour is as clear and stainless as the sun | light. Whatever has taken place has | been my doing, and I alone am answer | able for it. Whilst he was speaking | Joy stood close to him, silent and with | 1owncaSt eyes. In the prolonged sil- | ence which ensued she raised them | and letting go Athlyne's arm stepped | forward towards her father with flash | ing eyes:
 
 But there is one other thing which | you should know. and you must know | it from me since he will not speak. He 1 is justified in speaking of my honour, | for it was due-and due alone-to his nobility of character that I am as am. That and your unexpected arriv Il. For my part would have--'
 "Joyi" Athlyne's voice though the tone was low, rang like a trumpet. Half protest it was. half command. In the woman recognized the one and obeyed. as women have obey sd the commands of the men they owed. and were proud to do so. from