The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-05-16
Continued.l


 being now in her own hands. she could afford to stand back and await developments.
 Then came the next thought; how came the game so fortuitously into her own hands? Was it, even in- directly, due to her own instigation.
 "Pshaw!" he thought to himself. I'm growing absurdly suspicious. I won't believe wrong of that girl until I have some scrap of hint to base it on."
 And yet he knew in his own heart if Dorothy Burt had wanted to con- nive in the slightest degree in the removal of her rival she was quite capable of doing so, notwithstanding her very evident effect of pretty help lessness.
 swhen an excessively clever young woman assumes an utterly inefficient air." he thought, cit must be for some undeclared purpose and he felt an ahsurd thrill of satisfaction that though Kitty French was undeniably cI<ver. she put on no ingenue arts toxhids it."
 Then Kitty's phrase of 'clinging ,rcbebud" came to his mind, and he rselized its exceeding aptness to de- scxIbe Dorothy Burt. Her appealing eyes and wistful curved mouth were enough to lure a man who loved her toa almost any deed of daring.
 rEven murder?" flashed into his brain and he recoiled at the thought. Old Schuylar might have been made to forget his fealty; he might have been unable to steel his heart against those subtle charms; he might have thrown to the winds his honor and his faith: but surely, never. never could he have committed that dread full deed, even for love of this angel faced siren.
 "Could she?
 The words fairly burned into Fes- zenden's brain. The sudden thought set his mind whiriing. Could she Why, no. of course not. Absurd! Yes, but could shef What? That child? That baby-giri? Those tiny, rose leaf hands! Yes. but could she?
 "No," said Fessenden angrily, and then realized that he had spoken aloud, and his hearers were looking at him with indulgent curiosity.
 Forgive me-" he said smiling as he. looked at Mrs. Carleton. My fanny took a short brt distant flight, and had to speak to 1t sternly by way of reproof."
 T didn't know a lawyer could be fanciful,' said Mrs. Carleton, '.l thought that privilege was reserved for poets"
 Thank you for a pretty compli. ment to our profession" said Rob We lawyers are too often accused of giving rein to our fancy, when we should be strapped to the saddle ot slow but sure truth"
 "But can you arrive anywhere on such . prosaic steed?" asked Miss Burt smiling at his words.
 Yes" said Rob: i've can arrive \ at facts."
 What prompted him to speak so curtiy, he didn't know but his speech did not at all please Miss Burt. Her color flew to her cheeks, though she said nothing, and then, as Mrs. Carle- ton rose from the table the two ladies smiled and withdrew, leaving. Rot alone with his host.
 Its all right, old boy of course, ' ! said Carleton. but did you have any reason for flouting poor little Doro. thy like that?'
 NO. I didn't" said Fessenden hon. estly and apologetically 'I spoke without thinking, and I'm sorry fol it."
 ''An right-its nothing. Now. Rob old fellow, you can't deceive mo. saw a curious expression in your eyes as you looked at Miss Burt tonight and-well, there is no need of words pctWo1n u1s EO OAIy lcu you you're all wrong there. You look fol hidden meanings and yelled allusions in everything that girl says, aud there aren't any. She's as frank and open natured as she can be, and-forgive me-but want you to let her alone
 Fessenden was astounded. First, d Car1eton's insight in discovering hi. thoughts, and second. at Carleton'i mistaken judgment of Miss Burt'l nature.
 But he only said, "An right, Schuy Ter; what you say goes. Would yol rather not talk at all about the Var Norman affair?" Fessenden spoke thus casually, for he felt sure i would make it easier for Carleton than if he betrayed a deeper interest
 "Oh, I don't care. You know, o course, how deeply it affects me and my whole life. I know your sym pathy and good-fellowship. There! not much more to say, is there?"
 .'why, yes. Carleton: there is. AS your friend, and also in the interest. of justice, I am more than anxious tc discover the william who did the hor. rid deed, and though the inquest peo <I1f-r thov r.