The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-10-22
\ LORD I [LQ)WIEILAND
(CoutiQUed

taken lessons ufSC a1Q. All the R1rIS $a my school did, and I ain't forgot ernat learnt. Please come with me, Snd I'll do you up all right. Now, don't say no or you'll hurt my feelings. I Essl ready to cry anyway, and l sure A-h if you ain't kind.''
 ''Oh. I'll comer' he said desperately and followed Isidora into the passage.
 The parlor. which also served as din- ing room. was appalling in its bravery of old gold plush and portraits of de fUnct ladies and gentlemen on a .claret colored wall paper.
 She made Loyeland sit down in a leather armchair which snelled of the tobacco her father affected. and then, kneelfng on a low footstool beside him. she began to unfasten Black Dick s clumsy bandage.
 q don't like to have you wait on me- said Loveland, who a few weeks ago took the most exaggerated betting for granted from pretty women.
 Well. like to do it anyhow" re- piled the girl. with lingering, liquid glance. You're so brave I'm proud to be waiting on you. I never knew anybody just like you before.''
 Loveiand thought this very, proba- ble. but merely remarked, with be- coming modesty. that he had done very little.
 You were a real hero.'' said Isi- dora. 'Oh. o-ohr' And she breathed little cooing slghs of pity at sight of the hero's burns. T could cry over your poor hand. It's a shame''-
 Please don'ti'' exclaimed Loveland, laughing. '1 can't stand any more tearsE
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 s.Awfullyr' said Loveland As he spoke he smiled down at her in friendly way. and the kindness in the blue, black dashed eyes made the girls heart hutter like an imprisoned bird. She had been in love with him since the first day a little, then more and more. Now her love overflowed. It was too much for her emotional na- ture. She could not keep it back. And why should she try to keep it back, she asked herself, since her love must be considered an honor by this unsuccessful foreign adventurer2
 ''I'm glad" she almost sobbed. "Oh, you're worth more to me than any thing in the world I won't cry again if you ask me not. I'll do whatever you want me to. Pad most kill me if he knew I was talking like this. But I don't care-I don't care for anybody but you-no 4sne else. Oh. suppose I'd let pa make me marry Leo Cohen be- fore I'd met youY'
 Loveland was dumfounded. ''My dear girl" he exclaimed, you don't know what you are saying! You"-
 ''1 do know" Isidora broke in q know you are poor and in a lot of trou- bIe. and you might have gone to pris- en- But you're a gentleman, all right. You're you. and that's enough. If you care about me the same as do about you, why. all the rest''-
 But IT mean-Pm sure you don't really care" stammered Val, checking himself on the verge of saying some thing rude.
 '.I do care. You needn't be afraid.'' she assured him. ''I wouldn't have said a word. I'd "a waited for you to speak if things had been different but saw how you felt by the way your eyes looked a minute ago, and l wouldn't stop for manners, because, says to myself, he's too much of a gentleman to tell a girl he loves her when he's got nothing and she every thing"
 ..I hope I am too much of a gentle man to- Val began desperately, but she cut him short with one little plump, patchouli scented hand over his mouth
 q know it. That's what I said. You don't need to tell me- she hdrried on. wen have to run away and get married. Then pail forgive me. I'm : all he's got. He couldn't bear me to want for anything. But it's no use asking him first He'-
 -1 r 4<5 ofo e5Iy|r1 him''-
 ssNo, of course You afn't so silly. His hearts set on my taking Leo, but I wouldn't touch him with ten foot pole now. My hero, I'll marry you to- morroWr'
 .aThe devil you wil1!" said A1exan- der.
 They stood together at the door, he and Leo Cohen, who had persuaded the old man at last on one excuse or another to invite him upstairs.
 The girl struggled up from her knees, and as LoveIand bounded out of the big chair she caught his arm, nesting against him.
 ''You villain! Stealth my gals love behind my back and enticin' her to run off with youp' stuttered Alexander, purple with fury.
 "I didn't'- began Val indignantly.
 ssWhatI You didn't? You want me to believe my gal asked you to marry her?''
 Loveland started as if Alexander had struck him and flushed to the fore head InvoluntariIy he glanced at 1si dora, who looked up at him beseech- tngly. Spare mev' the almond eyes implored.
 ..No. I don't want you to believe that" he said. And how hugely he would have laughed had he been told a few weeks ago that he would let himself be misunderstood and shamed for the sake of a girl like Isidora! But