The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-12-09


 account of rehearsals, and next Mon day night we will open7-we will open with a success"
 It was a simple plan and humane one. vavin asked her no questions. He talked lightly and gayly. and, as he called 1t when they were rehears- ing, their laughter was soon panic.
 Only when Holcomb left them for moment as they were nearing the sta ton did she have an opportunity to speak of her trouble.
 '1 suppose she said to vavin, '4you think me a very queer girl"
 ''1 think you are very brave girl" he replied, 'and you are going to be still braver."
 'I am," she replied. "I am going to a little hotel where some members of the company are living"
 "very good, my dear," he answered. 'eBut first you are going to my hotel. where Professor Fullerton will be-"
 "You know that?" she said.
 "I talked with him over the tele- phone before we left,'' replied Vavin, "and besides him there will be MT. Winthrop, Mrs. Winthrop and Aunt Cornelia."
 "Oh, no, I can't" the girl exclaimed. "You do not know"
 "You left Mrs. Winthrop's house this morning. I have asked them to be there"
 '"But it Is a family matter" said the girl, "and it's about my mother. and I don't want to see all those people,"
 The old man took her hand and told her that, as he had been her friend in the past, he asked her to trust him this time and to say whatever she had to say to Professor Fullerton not only before Aunt Cornelia, but before Mrs. Winthrop and the rest of Corneiia's friends.
 Ut is awfully hard" said the girl. "I don't mind myself, but 1t doesn't seem fair to my mother"
 'It is fair to your mother" said Va win. q knew her. Hush!" he added as she turned to him in surprise and Holcomb came up.
 Vavin had left word at the hotel that Fullerton and the rest of the party should be shown to his room the mo- ment they arrived. They were waiting when the three travellers entered.
 "Dora. my daughter" exclaimed Ful- lerton, rushing up to her. What in heavens name has happened~
 "I think" said Mrs. Winthrop, "that 1t is possibly some family matter to be talked over that doesn't need the presence of outsiders"
 "If you do not mind," said Vavin. 'It is a family matter which has had the assistance of outsiders and now needs them as witnesses. Will you not tell them now. little Dora, why you left Mrs. Winthrop's this morning the way you did?"
 'T cannot" said the girl. choking.
 '"Then," said Vav1n, 'I will"
 "You" exclaimed Cornelia.
 "Yes, l." said Vavtn. 'T will save you the trouble. Miss Fullerton. You went homo last night and you an nounced your marriage to Air. Hol- comb. Yes7 You were congratulated by aI''-he indicated the Winthrops- 'but this lady. After you had gone to your room she called on you. She was with you twenty minutes. There were loud words. She told you things. She told you things about your mother-as she knew them. You did not sleep all night. You took the first train in the morning to see this man, your father"
 "She told me that he was not my father" said the girl bravely.
 
 that CorneliaT T he exclaimed excited ly.
 "What if I did. It's true, isn't ftr'
 Professor Fullerton swore. "I have stood great deal from you because I thought you intended to do what was right
 "She was going to disgrace our household as her mother had already done"
 '"That is what she said last night as my mother had done' She said that my mother"-
 T said that your mother was not a married woman when you were born"
 Say it isn't true," pleaded Dora to Fullerton.
 What difference does 1t maker said Fullerton, putting his arm around Dora. ''It is just the same as if you were my own daughter"
 Vavin took Fullerton's arm from around Dora.
 '1 think it is at this time that shall tell what I know" he said. 'tI have with me a man who has been my servant for many years. sHenriv" he called. ''He will bear me out." Va win continued as the man entered, 'in what say.
 "Mademoiselle is very like her moth CT, Is she not?" he said. "She is, monsieur" "Henri noticed the resemblance when we first came here. He was garcon for the man who-mademoi- selle, he was the servant of your ia. ther"
 My fatherf' repeated Dora. "You mean thisY' said Fullerton. ssyVaff conffDuaA uousy,