The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-07-31

week in which few things hap HN pened openly, but in which
 5 the entire situation underwent subtle but complete change The mall steamer brought disconcerting news from London. Chase was obliged to tell the islanders that notice of a contest had been filed, The lineal heirs had pooled their issues and were now fighting side by side The mat ter would be in chancery for months, gust of rage and disappointment that swept over the island. although not a word came from the lips of the sul- len population. The very silence was foreboding.
 that perplexing week. It was hard, but he resolutely kept to the path of duty, disdaining the pleasures that beckoned to him. Every day he saw and talked with Britt and Saunders. They, as well as the brisk Miss Pel- ham. gave him the family news" from the chateau. It did not require extraordinary keenness on Chase's part to gather that her ladyship and Browne had suddenly decided to en- gage in what he would call a mild irritation, but what Saunders looked upon as a real attack of love.
 eff had the nerve I'd call Browne good and hard" said Britt over his julep. "It isn't right It isn't decent The disappear for hours at a time, and they've always got their heads to- gether. Poor little Drusillai She's from Boston, Chase, and can't retail ate. Besides, Deppingham wouldn't take notice if she tried. The worst of it is Deppingham has got an idea that they may try to put him out of the way-htm and Drusilla- Awful, isn't 1t? And, say. by the way, Saunders is getting to dislike you intensely
 q can't help it if he loves the only stenographer on the isIand," said Chase easily. "You seem to be the only one who isn't in hot water all the time, Britt.''
 ''Me and the princess" said Britt la conically. Chase looked up quickly, but the others face was as straight as could be. "If you were a real gentle man you would come around once in awhile and give her something to talk to instead of about"
 Does she talk about me?" quite steadily.
 ''They all do. I've even heard the white handmaidens discussing you in glowing terms. You're a regular matt- nee hero up there, my''-
 "Selimr' broke in Chase. The Arab came to the table immediately. Don't put so much liquor in MT. Britt's drinks after this-mostly water" Britt grinned amiably.
 'I say, Britt, you're not responsible for this affair between Browne and Lady Deppingham, are you" demand ed Chase abruptly.
 '1? What do you meanY
 q was just wondering if you could have put Browne up to the game in the hope that divorce or two might solve a very difficult problem"
 "Now that you mention it, I'm going to look up the church and colonial divorce Iaws," said Britt noncommit- tally after a moment.
 'I advise you to hurry," said Chase coolly. 'If you can divorce and marry 'em inside of four weeks, with no court qualified to try the case nearer than India, you are a wonder"
 Chase was in the hnbit of visiting the mines two or three times a week during work hours. The next morn ing after his conversation with Britt he rode out to the mines. When he reached the brow of the last hill, over- looking the wide expanse in which the men toiled, he drew rein sharply and stared aghast at what1ay before him. Five hundred half naked brown men were congregated in the shade of the trees far to the right. By the aid of his glasses he could see that one of their number was addressing them in ain earnest, violent harangue. 1t was Won B1itz. From time to tizae faint sounds of shouts came across the val ley.
 Chase shuddered. He knew what it meant.
 How about Allah now, Selimr' he asked sententiously.
 "Allah is great, Allah is good," num- bled the Moslem youth, but without heart.
 Do you think he can save me from those dogs?" asked the master, with kindly smile.
 .'Sahib, do not go among them to- day.. implored Selfm impulsively-
 .xE1ey are expectinG me. 6elim- .xf