The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-07-12


 NO, but it-I say" He put his head out of the carriage window. Mot to The Beeches Station" he said, "the house-you understand 9"
 The driver grinned. Evidently he had heard what had been said, but he said "Yes sir,' quite civilly, and changed the direction of the horses heads.
 Winfield wanted to say more to Leicester, but he dared not, the look on the mans face was too ghastly.
 Here's fine copy for the yellow journalist" thought Winfield. "It seems a pity that this kind of thing is not in my line. It would be more eagerly read than any news about the Armenian atrocities. But there, there will be enough to give this matter publicity. I wonder what lies at the bottom of it. Of course some plausible excuses will be given to the local reporters-Miss Castlemaine i'll, or MT. Leicester called to Abyssinia; but there's some tragedy at the back of this, as sure as my names Arthur Winfield. Poor old Leicester, he looks death-stricken."
 The carriage drew up at the door of The Beeches, and Winfield looked out. No one was to be seen. There were no signs that anything of inn portance had happened, or would happen. It might have been an empty house, for all the signs of life that were visible. AS for suggestions of a wedding, they were nowhere ap- parent. The springtime had not come, but the day was warm. and an air of restfuIness seemed to reign over the grounds. The hall door was closed.
 Leicester Ieapt from the carriage, then he looked around in a dazed kind of way. He noted the great beeches in the park, and the passing of distant train.
 Perhaps Miss Castlemaine is ill.," said Winfield, Cor it may be that something has happened to her fath- er." He wanted to chase away the ghastly look which rested on the others face.
 But Leicester seemed to take no heed; rather he appeared to be try ing to realize the situation.
 ''Let me see, Winfield" he said. CT ar1f fo md Drrf .frrI1 if I am in the wrong. Today is the day arranged for my wedding day. Two hundred guests were invited. We were to be married up at the church wonder, by that man Sack vile. When we got there we found the place locked, while you were in- formed that the caretaker had re- ceived orders to keep the place lock- ed, as there was to be no wedding. You were also told that the telegraph clerk had sent away a lot of mes sages saying the same thing as the man at the church told you. Is that right?"
 ''Yes, that's right. But Miss Cas- tlemaine or her father may be i'll, you know. You did not look at your letters this morning, and thus were in ignorance
 T only wanted to be sure I had got hold of the facts," replied Lei cester. T might be mistaken, you know. I feel all knocked about"
 He went to the door and rang the he'll. After what seemed ages to him, it was opened by an old servant.
 ''Is Miss Castlemaine at home ?"
 The man hesitated a second, and then said:
 ''I believe so, sir.''
 '1s-is-she well?"
 He did not seem to realize what he was saying, and yet he watched the servants face closely.
 ''As far as I know of, sir"
 twill you tell her I wish to see herr"
 Again the man hesitated.
 Excuse me sir," he said presently, ''but you can not see her.
 ''Why?" he asked in a dazed way.
 Its not for me to say, sir.''
 By a strong effort he controlled himself, the old look of determina- tion came back into his eyes, and he spoke more like his normal self.
 Am I to understand that you have her order to this effect?"
 
 ''Yes, sir-that is, from MT. Castle maine, sir.'
 twill you please go and tell her that I am here, and that I wish to see her?"
 There was a tone of command in his voice. The man felt like obeying.
 Its no use, sir," he said; my or ders were most explicit, sir"
 A savage look flashed into his eyes, but he held himself under con- trol.
 1T wish you to go to Miss Castle maine and tell her that I must see her."
 My orders, sir was most-
 "Go and tell her, he said quietly, "that I must see her, and that I shall wait here until I do.''
 The look in his eyes frightened the old servant. Besides, for some time now, he had been led to look upon hin, his fI1f11ra y,,oSfor