The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-01-05

SpOken through the pen or W ncelel Brand, and he was one of those men 1 strong enough to refuse to take the i price of silence.
 1 He led the girl he loved to chair even as she sobbed and whispered 1 Wheeler. Wheeler, Wheeler" endear l ingly from her hearts depths. Brand looked down on her with world o1 and the world would soon know, that those who sit in the high places must | pay the penalty for sin, even as the lowliest among us who more blindly l goes astray.
 l Judith Bartelmy had been long | enough in society to learn the art of 1 the control and the concealment of 1 emotions under many trying circum- stances. Probably in any other situa- ton than in one where her father 1 and the man she loved were so deeply concerned. as in the present. she would have been able to retain larger degree of self composure. Several minutes passed before she was able to speak in evenly balanced tones. 1 Wheeler" she finally said, If any 1 one had told me that you would or could do what you have done against my father. against my family" her 1 voice began to break agaiD-"against me. would not have believed it. And l you have not told me that you will 1 cease your attack
 Brand thought to palliate her. He seated himself on a corner of the man. aging editors desk and bent toward her as she sat in q chair near him. Now, Judith. let me try to explain he said entreatingIy. Il think 1 can l make you understand. You see. the Lansing Iron company owned lot of valuable pr0perties-or ranges, ma chinery. railroad trackage. etc. If it had been managed halfway it would now be a wealth producing business. but some of our speculators down town were trying to get hold of it to gamble with. They wanted to milk it. as the saying is. by watering it. They did have stock market battle or two. which profted nobody but the lawyers on both sides. But they final ly got it by juggling it into receiv- ership. which they never could have done if United States judge had not been willing to exceed his functions. That judge was your father. Since the works shut down." he went on strongly, ''the men are out of employ ment.. and the gamblers have got rich because the company's gone broke. That's just what happened, and that's all 1 said" But it wasn't your facts. tell you It was your insinuation that was false"
 Mot acknowledgements"
 ''But it wasn't true-ft wasn't true." "Oh. yes. it was true, and more"
 Judith verged on the hysterical again.
 If you loved me as you pretend to. no matter if you thought it true or not you could not have written that arti- cle."
 Cant you see that l wasn't writing about your father, but about a United States judge who"-
 She moved farther away from him.
 That's splitting hairs. Wheeler"
 He walked to her side. Judith. please-please don't let's quarrel about this.' M The girl turned to him impulsively.
 "Ob, Wheeler. we were on the verge of it., weren't vel" He cast his arms around her. You're sorry. aren't youy' She looked fondly into his face. And you will take back that article. won't youY'
 "Youemusth't ask me to do that; can't" looking at her earnestly. "Yon can.ty'
 "No.v
 Judith drew away from him a step or two. She surveyed him coldiy.
 Wheeler. came here thinking only of my father. but suddenly find my self facing a much more serious ques- tion-not what kind of man he is. but what kind of man are you.''
 Brand was deeply cut by her manner and her intonation.
 Judith. if you only knew the truth, all of it. things 1 can't tell you. you'd be with me heart and soul in what I'm trying to do."
 He caught her in his arms again.
 Whatever I've done or whatever may do 1 love you." he insisted pas sionateiy.
 Judith showed equal fervor as she said:
 And you're more to me than my father. but for my sake you mustn't work against him. How could we ever be happy together if you did You'll do this for me. Wheeler. just this? l want you to carry out your ideals and live mp to your high pur- poses in every other way. but you must not attack him. Promise me that you'll never do it again. Won't you promise me that? And you'll re- tract that article you had this morn ing. You'll do this for me, just this?''
 "Judith--its the truth-and, knowing that. would you have me retract it."
 "Yes.''
 "I can't"
 Judith began to take off the engage ment ring Brand had given her.
 You don't mean to do that!' he cried in amaZement.
 ''l most certainly dol"
 He was almost frantic. He grasped her hand.
 II won't let you mean it. can't let