The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-09-08


 end his disquisiton their voices loud in de nunciation of Mr. Eppstein
 In the middle of it Peter left them to meet his stepmother coming from the house "rm afraid Epp- stein's emerald is going to spoil your party, Manner eulus,' he said.
 In few we1l-chosen words Lady cartrell told Peter her opinion of him from frequent repetition the formula had become practically stereotyped-
 On one of the croGuet lawns he found Helen ana Colonel Brown playing croquet.
 '"The suitor is not going at all strong at present. Peter taking slow. luxurious pull at his excel lent cigar.
 Both of them smiled on kindly.
 "So you countermand the Lochinvar motor car Which you going hire it?' said Peter turn ing their smiles to confusion
 q think you're siI1yH' said Helen!
 tsWe1I we'll, you needn't blush quite so hard for my stiffness girl, said Peter; and he strolled through the shrubberies. enjoying the of the garden.
 When he came back to Court he found it's atrnos phere all that he had desired. His stepnother's guests had been forcing on one another the most elaborate accounts of their movements before break fast, with intention of averting all possible picion from themselves; and they were now at the stage of fixing suspicion the they chanced severaIly to dislike. Some of them talking of leaving and they prevented from putting the intention into effect only by the desire to be the spot to the upshot of the matter.
 The atmosphere oppressed most deeply Mir Eppstein He had to his own thinking been making admirable progress this exalted circle He had found himself welcome when he joined group of takers; and had dispensed to it Stock Exchange tips with gracious, horid lordliness He had observed with pleasure that his hearers hung his lips. Now all this changed. He in the position of the wounded animal expelled from the herd His fellow guests had to Cartrel Court to enjoy themselves express sad sympathy with persons robbed of eneralds Moreover, thanks to Peters disquistion on the danger of circumstantia1 evidence, he further stunned of danger. Groups melted when he joined them. Solitary guests hurriedly away from him the hinnsiest pretexts .4,
 Darker and darker suspicious filled his mind. He himself the victim of plot; his fellowguests in a conspiracy to rob him. He had read many society stories with view to obtain information to guide him along the social path. He had learned from them that society is adventurous and light fingered. He his fellow guests dividing the pro ceeds of the of his emerald his beloved emerald Looking them n it's green light he became aware that many of them faces of the criminal type A great pity himself filled him; he felt that it Eppstein against the worlds and he could have wept for the lonely Eppstein.
 While he in this forlorn mood Peter descended him, bland and sympathetic He bade him cheer he foretold with conviction the outw1ttdng of the thief MT. Eppstein's heart went out to him. Then when they firmly established the position of two souls united to right the wrong Peter said How would it be to keep on the gates and that down to the village to send the emerald away by post?"
 That's good ideaE' cried MT. Eppstein; and without more ado they walked briskIy down to the lodges.
 
 down with careless air, and to let lure him from his watch any pretext, assuring him that he would keep his eyes open at the Court By way of performing that feat he about game of croquet with syb Carstairs prettiest his stepmother's guests In the middle of it Colonel Brown came to the lawn, alone and dfscopsoiate. Lady Cart rell had swooped down them and carried Helen away.
 Presently Peter stepped aside him and suggested that he might be kind Eppstein. He said that he was incoming unhappiIy about by the lodges; and painted his forlorn in affecting terms. not the Colonel be good fellow and bring him back to play game of billiards? The Colonel had the heartiest detestaHon of rival but he carried kind heart in his huge frame He said that he would, and strode off down the lodges. There MT. Eppstein would sooner suspected than the Colonel, in whom recognized a serious obstacle Ito h social advancement by riage with Helen and sight 0 him his beat fast He at suspected him trying sneak away with the emerald; and when he heard or his Invitation to to play billiards, his pic1on became certainty It Nattempt to lure him from his watch. He refused with asperity which made the very CooneI's boots itch to kick him. Inc temptation strcng that he had to turn on his heel ard depart brsay lest he should sCccU:-b to it. IIe back to Peter and 1c;-cT E--:tt, heat extent Mr. Epnste-'s locs hr! brc--r2t his natural of fec.sTe2css. -'c-cc -c3c h:s reou!sc, /G,d tyve-,tz- cd cf zane. .e vrc-.t tc --ccc~ -,-:-co.
 = ss.-. 'F--c! haven't Ey an ~1,o-~n So~. r>~o--,r
 Yes I've seen him" aof1 .rr E3pS5eia aarlzly.