The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-05-08
(COntinued.A

Colonel Ogilvie. I regret 1 shall bt
unable to meet your wishes in this re-
spect.'' AS the old man looked aston
ished in his turn. he proceeded:
Il already eve you a life on another
count; and I have but one. But if
mad ten you should have them all
could they in any way assauge the
sorrow which it seems must follow
from my thoughtless act. L have toic
you already that I shall freely give my
life in eXpiation of the wrong nave
all nintentionally-done to YOU
daughter and yourself. And if any
means could be found by which il
could add to Joys happiness or lesser
aer sorrow I should in addition and
as freely give my souli
Colonel Ogilvie's reception of These
words was characteristic of the man
as he took himself to be. He drew
himself up to his full height and stood
at attention. Then he Saluted, and
followed his salute with a grave bow
The soldier in him spoke first, the mar
after. Both Joy and Athlyne noticed
with new hope that he allowed the
speaking of her name to pass unchal-
tenged as a further cause of offence
Presently, and in a new tone, he said
It have taken it for granted from the
illusions in your letter that you are
The writer; and from your mentioning
an alias have not been surprised at
seeing a strange name in the sigma
lure But I have been and am sur
prfsed at the familiarity from man
IF your years to a man of mine OF a
mere Christian name"
1t was now Athlyne'S turn to be sur
prised.
"A Christian namei'' he said with a
puzzled quicker of his brows. I am
afraid I don't understand Then q
light dawning on him he said with a
slight laugh: But that is not my
Christian name
Then your surname?" querled the
Colonel
Nor INV surname either?' His laugh
was now more pronounced, more boy
Ssh.
..Oh, see; still another alias!'' The
words were bitter; the tone of manifest
offence.
Athlyne laughed again; it was not
Intentional but purely spontaneous. He
was recalled to seriousness by the look
Of pain and apprehension on joys face
and by the Coloners angry words, CIV
en- with a look of fury:
''T am not accustomed to be laughed
at-and to my face Mr.-Mr.-Mr. Rich
ard Hardy Athlyne ct cetera-"
His apology for inopportune mirth
was given with contrition-even hum
bly,:
IT ask your pardon, Colonel Ogilvie,
very deeply, very truly. But the fact
s that Athlyne is my proper signature.
though IL is neither Christian name or
surname. I do hope you will attribute
my ruceress rather to national habit
than to any personal wish to wound.
Surely YOU will see that I would at
east be foolish to transgreSS in such
a. direction if it be only that 1 aim
at so much that it is in your power to
grant, There was reason in this which
there was no resisting. Colonel Ogilvie
oowed-he felt that he could do no less
Athlyne wisely said no more; both men
regarded the incident closed.
With Joy lit was different. The in
.ident gave her the information she
lacked for the completion of the circle
nf n ~ knnvy1afPa A . with a flash she
realized the whole secret: that this
man who had saved her life and whom
nows her father wanted to kill was
none other than the man whose name
she had taken-at first in sport and
only lately in order to protect herself
from troubles of inQuiSitiveneSS and
scandal. At the moment she was in
reality the only one of the three-the
Dnly one at all-who had in her hand
al the clues. Neither her father nor
Athlyne' knew that she had given to
the maid at the hotel a name other
than her own.
scious knowledge Of something must
she felt, be done. Things were so
shaping some intuition of some coming
change; something which hinged on her
lime she realized how dangerous it may
be for any one to take the name of
any other person-for any purpose
whatever. or from any cause. She
But though her brain did not classify
the idea her blood did. She blushed so
.uriously that she had serious thoughts
Of escaping from the room. Nothing
bur the danger which might arise from
such a step kept her in her place. But
something must. she felt. be done.
Things were so shaping towards re-
Cancellation that it would be wise to
prevent matters slipping back. For an
instant she was puzzled to what to
DO: then an inspiration came to her
Turning to her father she said:
Daddy. let us ask the old Sheriff
20 come in again. She felt that she
could rely on his discretion, and that
ealmer, waters. Her father acquiesced
willingly, and a courteous message was
sent through servant.
CHAPTER XXI.
Application of Law
Whilst the servant was gone there
was a great clatter of arrival of a
motor at the hotel: but all in Athlyne's
room were too deeply concerned with
heir own affairs to notice it. Present
~ there was light tap on the door
and the Sheriff's May 1 come in 30
was4heard. Colonel OgiIvie went him
self to the door and threw it open. Be
side the Sheriff stood a lady, heavily
clad and with a motor veil.
Joy Joy!" said the yelled figure, and
Aunt Judy stepping forward took the
girl in her sarms. In the meantime
The Sheriff was explaining the situa-
ion:
st was just coming from my room in
obedience to your summons, when this
ady entered the hall. She was asking
for you, Colonel, and for Miss Ogilvie,
as who she had learned at the railway
station, was stopping here. ventured
to offer my services. and as she was
coming up here, undertook to pilot
her,