The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-08-04
CHAPTER XIV. The Coming of Winfield.

| CHATTER AAV. The Coming of Winfield.
 Nothing of importance happened during the golf match on the links. Neither Ricordo nor Olive played their best, and when the eighteenth l green was reached both seemed re- | lieved.
 What is the time, signore?" asked Olive.
 Tt is just after one, signorina."
 '"Then it is too late for me to go home to lunch,'' said Olive.
 That is well," said Ricordo. You have made such excellent arrange ments here that the matter of lunch can easily be dealt with. Moreover, unlike many clubs, you have not in sisted on the idiotic rule of men and women lunching in different rooms. As a matter of fact, knowing we could not finish until one, took the liberty of telling the good woman here that she must use her culinary ! skill on our behalf. I hope I have not done wrong."
 Olive laughed gaily. The moor land, all the brightness of the skies and the healthy exercise she had talk en, had made her ravenously hungry. Rather, must thank you hearti- | ly," she said; "but I must get back | soon after lunch. I think will send my caddy with a note, so that trap may come for me-"
 | "Is that essential?" asked Ricordo. l Olive looked at him questioningly. l Because" continued Ricordo, 'I had looked forward to the pleasure of walking back with you-if you l will grant me so great an honor" l For moment she hesitated. Had he been \an Englishman she would have thought nothing of it. Her father had invited him to the house, he had also spoken of him as a kind of prince of merchants, and as a consequence there could be no doubt as to his position. Nevertheless, the fact that his education and associa- tions had not been English, kept her from immediately acceding to his re- quest.
 ] 1T ask this" went on Ricordo, ''be- cause am afraid I conveyed a false l impression on the night I was a guest at your fathers house. Even a poor alien like myself does not desire to appear in 6. false light" | Her eyes met his as he spoke, and I the force of her objections seemed to have fled.
 l 'I thought you might wish to play | again this afternoon she said; ''but | if you wish, shall be very glad.'' l An hour later they started to walk back to Vale Linden.
 'I have sometimes wondered whether you do not regard me as somewhat of an enigma, signorina. You build a beautiful house for the | benefit of people who need rest ana change, but who cannot afford to pay for the comforts of good hotel, | and then you find that it is encum- bered by 8 man who can abundant ly afford to pay even for a few luxuries No doubt that has struck you as stranger" | T am afraid I have not thought much about it, replied Olive.
 ttStill, now that I have been re- ceived so kindly, think I ought to explain. While I was in London met a man. I had affairs with him, named-let me think, yes, Winfield. I grew tired of London, and he told me of this place, and of you. He described the work you had done here, and your gracious influence in the village and neighborhood. His story appealed to me. I longed to see this beautiful Vale Linden, and being a lonely man without ties we'll, that is all, think, signorina, But now I am here, I want to stay for time at least. I recognize the fact that I can no longer benefit by your boundless charity to the needy and"
 Surely, Signor Ricordo, there is no need for you to leave The Home stead.''
 "Yes there is, I could not stay there, when-well, many who may need your kindness are waiting for admission. The quiet restfulness, the rustic beauty, the pure air-the as sociations have conquered me. ] have wondered whether it would be possible for you to have me as 8 tenant, a. neighbor. There is a de- lightful house which I am told was occupied by the steward of the late owner, and which is now empty. would either buy or rent it. Would it be possible, signorina?" "That is scarcely matter which falls within my province" replied Olive. My father manages the estate. Since he has partially re. tired from business it is his grea; hobby"
 Pardon me, signorina, everything depends on you.'
 "On me?"
 "Yes. In this way. I could not think of remaining here unless the