The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-07-28
Copyright, 1909, by George Il. Doran
Company

SVveesSoeooOo0oo ooooOooeoeooeUeeO - Are you not judging without suf- fcient reason?" asked Herbert Briar- field warmly. "You have never seen Miss Castlemaine.
 'I am no longer a. boy" said the other, with a sigh.
 What might that mean?"
 s'That I have seen women-in Par is, in Berlin, in Vienna, in Damascus, Constantinople, Cairo. Bagdad, Cal cutta. Yes. I have seen them-wo- men of all tongues. all nationalities. And everywhere they are the same"
 well, and what is the sum total of your experience?"
 'T would rather not tell you"
 ''why? It is always well to know the truth
 INT. Briarield, if there is one thing I am afraid of it is the truth. For many years I have made it my business to keep my eyes from be- holding the truth; nevertheless, it al- ways keeps thrusting itself upon me always. That is why I am sad man."
 Perhaps you have only seen one side of life."'
 Again look suggesting pain shot across the strangers face but he still spoke quietly.
 '.Mr. Briarfield," he said. 1 have even read the book which is to the English people a textbook of relig- ion. I fancy I am somewhat of an exception, but have. We'll, the part of that book which interests me most is the Book of Ecclesiastes. Perhaps that is because the experience of it's writer is my own experience. In all essential features, Solomon, or who ever was the author, wrote my ex- perience. I have tried everything, MT. Briarfield.''
 And your conclusion7"
 ''Solomon's."
 eff that were my creed said Briar- field, 'I should commit suicide
 of course I have thought of that without fear. But came to the conclusion that it wasn't worth while. For in that sleep of death what dreams may come. Aye, there's the rub Besides, I've something to live for"
 According to your creed I do not zosa D-sar x-o,,ld be interesting to know"
 '.Ah, but have something to live for, Mr. Briarfield,''
 ''I suppose I might be intruding on your privacy if I sought to know what it was?"
 Its not love, and it's not money" said Ricordo. "Ah, Herr Trubner, 1 apologize. have monopolized your guest completely. and that is unfor- givable. You have a great gift, my friend-an the Germans have-and it makes them great people"
 What gift is that, signore?"
 "The gift of litsening."
 After this the conversation drifted into general subjects, and little later Herbert Briarfield took his leave.
 "The man interests me. fascinates me, and yet do not like him." he said to himself as he rode homeward. 'I wonder who and what he Is? But for that peculiar far-away sound in his voice, he speaks English like an Englishman. Sometimes thought detected suggestion of Oxford in his tones. But then. again, when he spoke German to Trubner, he might have been reared in Berlin or Heidel- berg. Again, he seems to know the East perfectly. I want to know more about him, and yet I feel afraid of him. In any case, I'll be at that concert on Friday. I wonder what she will think of him?"
 What do you think of MT. Briar- field, signore?" asked Herr Trubner when he found himself alone with the stranger.
 'I think he is in love with what s place"
 "I never thought of that" said the German. What made you think of it?"
 'I kept my eyes open and listen ed, that is all.''
 'It may be as you say" said the German reflectively. Well, I should say from what have heard, it would be a good match. He is a fine speci- men of the English gentleman. am told that he is well-off and very ambitious"
 And in what way does his ambi- ton express itself?"
 Parliament" Signor Ricordo laughed.
 "You seem amused, signore. You are more merry than usual tonight You like Mr. Briarfield. Do you not think he would be a good husband to our guardian angel?"
 'I will tell you after Friday night" "Why then?"
 Because I shall then have seen the lady of whom you have told me such wondrous things. I mean to be in- troduced to her, to talk with her An"
 Herr Trubner looked towards his coyunanion as he heard his eYola ma