The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-08-03
(Continued.)

tlemaine," he said.
 Olive did not reply. but waited for him to continue. For years her heart had been very bitter towards him, ,,n spite of the fact that he be- Iievsd he had revealed to her the real character of the man she had promised to marry. But then Sprague's part in the affair was not altogether Honorable. He had been a party to Athe discussion which led to the wager, and although on his own account he had done his best to persuade Leicester from pursuing the course he had adopted, she could not think of him without feeling of anger.
 sT do not know whether you were sngry, or thankful to me, for writing that letter." he said. T never re- ceived any reply to it."
 "There was nothing to which I could reply,''' she said.
 Perhaps not" replied sprague. sand yet I have never known, how you regarded my action in the mat ter. That is why I am so thankful for this, opportunity of speaking to you"
 "Pardon me-" said Olive, ''but would you mind letting the past be dead, and forgotten? As you may imagine, it cannot be pleasant to me-"
 T only wanted to know that you had forgiven me-" said Sprague. s-Moreover, I wanted to tell you the truth. No one can be more ashamed than I at the course events took. But never dreamt that-that ever your name would be mentioned. 1t was. as it were, forced upon me. As for that Ietter-welI felt could do no other than write it. It would have been cowardly. and base of me, not to tell you the truth.
 N"And what you told me was the truth-the whole truth ?' asked Olive. She spoke quickly and nervously. as though a great deal depended upon the answer.
 .As far as I know I told you ex- actly what Approximately. It seemed to me you had "a right to know, and that it would have been criminal on my part if had kept silent. That is what I wished to say"
 And now. having said it, will you f never refer to it again.
 "Just another word, please. You are not angry with me. that is, you do not think badly of me because told you?"
 T ought to be grateful to you for that part of your action in the mat ter, and-I am.''
 She seemed to speak with an eff fort, but Sprague was evidently satis- fled.
 eYou have chosen a beautiful place to live in, Miss Castlemaine.' he said; 'sand hundreds of people are grateful because of what you have done. hardly feel justified in bene- fiting by--shal1 call it your hos pitalityf-but really wanted to see your again"
 'sYes. 1t is a beautiful neighbor- hood,'' said Olive: "and hope you will enjoy your stay here."
 Thank you. am sure shall." replied Sprague. He had got through the painful part of his conversation -clumsily. it is true; but, still it was over, and now he felt a real pleas ure in thinking that for the next few days he would be living in close had once asked be his wife.
 What do you think of Signor Ri cordo?' he went on. Striking-look- ing fellow, isn't her"
 "Yes," replied Olive.
 Do you know I've played golf with him twice, and I can't make him out Perhaps it is because of his Eastern mode of speech, but he al- ways makes me think of mysteries. When I saw him first he made me think of vampires. and although that feeling has gone, am not sure, that I like him."
 '1 should think he is very re- markable man," said Olive evasively.
 He is mysterious. at all events, ? said Sprague. .'How beautiful the park looks in the moonlight
 He stopped as he spoke, and look ed across the park towards the moor lands that were dimly visible in the light of the moon. AS they stopped, Mr. Castlemaine and Signor Ricordo came up.
 q am enjoying your beautiful scenery, MT. Castlemaine." said Sprague-
 "Yes, it is very fine. You can all most see the golf links from here"
 "Ah, don't talk of them," said Sprague, with a laugh. CT thought could play a decent game, but Sig nor Ricordo has beaten me so badly today that I feel humiliated. thought I should find him an easy opponent, too. He told me he was only beginner"
 srVor1 may have better I1rck nexi