The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-09-09

and that her Jealousy had led her to become associated in that despicable assassination?
 Surely she was not murderess? ? No. I would never believe that-nev- CT! When one is in love. one will ac- cept nothing detrimental to one's div inity.
 ''I think. Miss Maynardf' said. still holding her tiny hand. that you might speak plainer to me-. Ybu and are now friends. A bond exists be- tween us-the bond of secrecy. My sole desire is to protect my friend Cough and yourself from the evil designs of this naster-criminal"
 That will. alas! be impossible she sighed. ''Mr. Cough is already hunted by the police. Garshore has told them the truth
 Regarding what?''
 Regarding the charge now laid against him. was her answer.
 They say that-that you were wit ness of that dastardly crime at Red cliffe Gardens I said in low voice. ''Is that the truth?''
 "Garshore has made that statement. I cannot deny it."
 'tWhy?"
 "Because-because I dare not!' she exclaimed breathlessly, her hand trembling in mine 'tAh MT. Ralston, you do not know what I have suffer- ed. what I am now suffering! I am fettered-bound hand and foot. dare not speak, dare not tell the truth. because it would mean I should lose my life through doing so."
 'Is there no way out of this?" I asked. looking into those beautiful eyes of hers.
 ''None." she replied. shaking her head sorrowfully "At least. only one"
 "Onei" I cried. And what is that?'
 By clearing Mir. Cough of the ter rible charge against him-the charge of murder" was her answer. But, alas! you can never do that"
 Why" asked. "Is it because he is really guilty?''
 T am not his judge.' was her re- sponse. 'I will say nothing"
 This reply was, to say the least. ex- traordinary. It conveyed to me the fact that Granny was guilty. and that it was true. as alleged. that she was an actual witpass of the tragedy.
 My one and sole desire was to hold Garshore within the hollow of my hand. Yet by py promise to E1frida I was prevented; rendered powerless. Much of the story of Rufford, the master forger. had been related in the newspapers. I recollected having read it. but never had dreamed that Ruff ford was identical with Ralph Gar shore. the concession hunter. who had so cleverly flched a fortune from Tyranny Coughs fingers.
 Again the story of that midnight tragedy in Redcliffe Gardens was be- coming more complicated and more mysterious. Coughs demeanor that evening down at Sydenham was de- cidedly that of guilty man. Yet, he being my friend. refused to hold him in suspicion. Where was he now? -
 If he had really escaped the vigil lance of those two men who had found him hidden at Colsterworth why had he not communicated with me? /
 Even in that very small fact was mystery inexplicable!
 From E1frida could gather nothing further. released that hand. the con- tact of which caused my heart to beat quickly. and stood looking at that beautiful but troubled countenance with the downcast eyes. not knowing what to believe. What could think |? What would you, my reader. to whom I am here making this hearts comics sion. have thought?
 r 4c.o %o visited me there. I questioned her further. but she seemed to have chang ed her mind. She had now resolved not to act as first intended.
 My chief thought was of Granny.
 Was he guilty?
 She extended toward him friendli- ness. it was true. Nevertheless, she did not deny him guilty. She had mere " replied that she was not his judge.
 That hour was. indeed, most mo- mentous one in my career. I loved never loved any woman in all my life. sessed my very soul.
 Yet she stood aloof from me. She had been attracted by-perhaps. in- deed. loved-that man whose disrepu- table past she had succeeded in un- veiling-that man whom she dared not denounce becausa- of this "disgraceful charge that he could make and sus- tain successfully against her.
 took her slim hand again, and, looking into her dear fathomless eyes, asked her to consider me her friend /her firm. devoted friend
 'tI will. MT. Ralston."' she promised in faltering voice, dropping her eyes to the floor.
 ''Then tell me frankly why you have called here to see me?'
 She hesitated. searching for an evasive answer.
 "Because-well. because wished to warn you against Garshore.''
 ''I had already been warned" said, with an incredulous smile. Cough had warned me-
 "He told you about-about that wom- an?" she asked looking at me quickly. The emphasis she placed upon those