The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-04-14

EoOdby--1fom an adversary Wn3 V'aS game. anyway. You don't mind ac- cepring it?''
 There was something in the mans voice that CoQuenfl had never heard there. Was it faint touch of senti- ment? He took the ring that the baron handed him. an uncut ruby, ard Icol1- ed at it thoughtfuliy. He handed back the ring.
 The baron's face darkened. ne made an angry gesture. Then he twisted the ring in his fingers.
 ''Ah. that pride of yours! You've been brilliant, you've been brave. but never unkind before. It's only a bau- ble, Coquenil, and''- De Hejdelinann-B-1lck stopped sud- denly ana NJ Paul caught a savage gleam in ais eyes: then, swiftly, the baron put the ring to his mouth and, sucking in h:s brca tn. swallowed hard.
 lhe detective sprang forward, but it was teo late. "A tloctor--quicl" he called to the guard
 "No uaer' unurmared the rich man, sinking forward. Coquenil tried to supacrt hiua. but the body WAS too heavy for bis band aged hand, and the prisoner sank to the floor.
 | Fl won the last trick, anyhow .'' Che baron whispered. Coquenil picked ap the ring that had fallen from a nerveIess hand. He put it to his nose and sntfred 1t.
 '.Prussic acid.'' he muttered. Two minutes later, when Dr. Duprat rushed in, the Baron de Heldelmann- Bruck, upafraid and unrepentant, had gone to his last long sleep. His face was calm, and even In death his lips seemed set in mocking smile of tri- umph.
 When a sweet young girl finds her self in serious debt to a man and at the same time one of the richest heir esses in the world, she naturally wishes to give some substantial form to her gratitude, even to the extent of few odd millions from her limitIess store, which Alice was very glad to do.
 At any rate, Coquenil was hence forth far beyond any need of follow ing his profession. Whatever use he might in the future make of his bril- liant talents would be for the sheer joy of conquest and strictly in the spirit of art for its own sake.
 On the other hand, if at any time he wished to undertake case it was certain that the city of Paris or the government of France would tender him their commissions on silver sal yer, for now, of course, his justifica- tion was complete, and by special ar- engagement he was given sort of row ing commission from headquarters, with indefinite leave of absence. Best of all, he was made c11evalier of the
 
 lie service.'' What a day 1t was, to be sure, when Mime. Coquenil first caught sight of that precious red badge on her sons coat!
 As for the lovers, there is only this to be said-that they were ridiculous ly, indescribably happy.
 The young American had one grfev- ance.
 .It's playing it low on fellow" he said, when he's just squared himself to hustle for a poor candle seller to change her into a bowling millionaire I'd like to know how the devil Pm go- ing to be hero now?'
 ..silly boy!'' she laughed, her radiant eyes burning on him.
 .eYou darling., he cried. My little A1iceP'
 She looked up at him archly.
 Lloyd. dear, I know nicer name than Alice or Mary
 .sWhat is it, you little beauty?'' he murmured, drawing her closer still and pressing his lips to hers.
 Then, with wonderful dancing lights in those deep, strange windows of her soul, she whispered. 'TThe incest name in the world for me is Mrs. Lloyd Kit tred0e"
 THE END.