The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-12-20
mm nv Z FORBIDDEN CHRISTMAS

Another ball and another reached
her, and then her heart gave a great
leap, for across the square came WILL
lam Westcott, sending her tormentors
to right and left. Then he stepped up
on the platform by her side, looking
down at the crowd in grim alertness.
She did not look at him. After that
first throb of relief came again the ter
rible thrush of shame, with added
poignancy.
go away!' she said suddenly in a
choked little voice that she hated for its
tremor.
He did not stir.
go away" she reiterated once
more, and after that she neither spoke
nor looked at him.
WestcOtt scarcely understood himself
the force that had brought him there
or the strange new emotions surging
through him. He had held back from
the girl, distrusting her latent posi-
b1lities while she was yet innocent of
ofenSe, but now that her humilia ton
was offered to every eye he had sprung
to share it, his reproach lost in the
thrill of an unknown feeling more poig-
| nant than pity or shame.
When the interminable time was at
last over and Zellah, stiff and chilled,
| stepped down from the little platform,
he put himself at her side.
GO away from mel want to see no
bent head darted down a side street.
Her route led her to the shore, which
she skirted for time, foundering
| through the damp snowdrifts in the
rough wagon road.
Zellah eyed the water with gloomy
! fascination. She wished miserably that
she possessed the courage to fling her
] self into it and 50 end at once the
menace Of the tO-morrows.
Ship ahoy, there!' rang out a jovial
voice, and, lifting her bent head, the
| girl saw young man almost in front
| of her.
Let me passw she commanded him
| fercely.
| Presently, presently. mean no
| harm. am Bob Breresford, captain
| Of the Conrad yonder, and very much
| at your service" "By ST. George and
the Dragon, but thislis no place for a
maid like you! Where are you going %
God knows" she answered wildly,
her voice breaking.
| May" he returned, coming nearer
Breresford knows. Come with me out
of this place where they made mock
Of you. Come back to England, lass
ITO England?" she faltered, held by
the bluff decision of his manner.
AYE, to England, on the Conrad
turns
Again Zel1ah looked at the ship. Or
the Conrad to England! England
seemed heaven realized. 1t did not
matter where she went after she got
there; anything was better than taking
up her life again here. The captain
saw her eyes fash, her lips take or
resolution.
"But-but would have to go in Sc
cret," she put before him.
AYE" he laughed, wen stow yor
safely away till out Of harbor. Never
fear for that, my lass. You are OF the
right stuff, you are"
"And then-I know not IL can gel
money enough for my passage. 1 have
but few pieces. Is 1t much?'
tut, a trif1e! All will be made RICH,
with a kiss now for earnest money
my prettiness," he laughed, bending
toward her.
She sprang away; but before she
could speak the hot Indignation he saw
flame into her face he dashed int
apology.
"A dozen pardons, mistress. There
do not run; I meant no harm. 'Twa,
but poor joke-a sailors joke"
| She came slowly toward him again
searching his face, and he had wisdom
enough to keep 1t serious and at {
proper distance. And so, after NOR
at that place at half after four will
such belongings as she could get to
gether.
When her fathers huge timepiece
sagging down her pocket, warned he
Of the approaching time, she lifted he
. bundle from it's hiding place and start
Fed down the shore.
Merry Christmas, lass!' softly calle'
the waiting figure, as she heSitated, un