The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-08-31

l. listen to me, and I can't interest any private parties"
 "See here," volunteered Fraser, ''why don't you let me sell some of your stock? I'm there with the big talk"
 Emerson turned on him suddenly. ''You have demonstrated that. If you had kept your mouth shut we'd have been at sea by now"
 The fellows face paled slightly as he lip your mitt."
 Don't keep that up.' cried Boyd. his much tried temper ready to give way. ~sI can put up with anything but Ge.''A
 Noting the signs of a rising storm, Clyde scrambled out of his chair, say Ing, 'Wen, think I'll be going" He Eicked up his hat and stick and hur- riedly left the room. followed in every movement by the angry eyes of Fra ser. who seemed on the point of an ex plosion.,
 You are tired and overwrought," said Cherry quietly to Boyd. ''The sue cess of this enterprise, with any hap piness it may bring you. isn't worth a human life, nor is it worth what you nre suffering"
 Perhaps not. from your point of view he said roughly, then struck his palm with his closed fist What an idiot I was to begin alls this-to think I could win with no weapons and no aid except a half mad fisher man, an addle brained imbecile, con Gdence man
 And a woman." supplemented Cher ". "1'm the cne to blame."
 "No: I blame no one but myself. Whatever you re responsible for there's only one person you've harmed-your- self"
 What do you mean?' asked Cherry.
 Her surprise left him unimpressed. . Let's be frank he said "It is best to have such things out. I traded my friendship for money. and I am ruined. You are stalking your honor against tEiiliard's banknotes." Her silence cnlv made him the more fiercely oelef- mined to force an explanation. ''Oh. I'm in no mood to speak gently" he said; then added. with a sting of con- tempt in his tone, ''I didn't think you would pay quite that price for your copper mine"
 Cherry Malotte paled to her lips. Kindly be more explicit: don't know what you are talking about"
 linen, for your own good, you'd bet ter under itand.- According to accepted standards, there is one thing no wo- man should trade upon. You have set yourself to trap Hiiliard. and from what hear you are succeeding. He is a married man. He is notorious. and yet you have deliberately yielded your self to him for a price"
 Suddenly he found the girl standing | over him with burning eyes and quiv- ering body.
 What right have you to say such things to me?'' she cried. "A moment ago you acknowledged yourself mur- derer-at least in thought You said you would sacrifice anything or every thing to gain your ends.- Do you think I'm like that too? Are my methods to be called shameful because your own
  Do you think that you and your love ! for that unfeeling woman. who sent you out to toll and suffer and sweat your soul dry in the solitude of that horrible country. are the only issues in the world :"
 we won't speak of her," he broke in sharply.
 "Oh, yes. we will. You say I have set price on myself. We'll. she can set price on herself. but you can't see it. Her price was your honor, that has crumbled: your conscience. that has routed. You have paid it, and you would pay double if she exacted it. But one thing you shall not do; you shall not judge of my bargains nor de eide what have paid to any man."
 Never before lad Boyd seen a wom- an so transformed by the passion of anger. She was the picture of defiant fury. The mask had slipped. and he caught q glimpse of the naked. pas sionate soul. upheaved to its depths.
 T beg your pardon" he said. 'You are your own mistress. and you have the right to make any bargain you choose
 Efe saw that her eyes were misty with tears. T want you to know," she said, that I understand your posi- ton perfectly. If you don't succeed you not only lose the girl, but ruin yourself, for you can never repay the men who trusted you. That is very big thing to a man. I know. yet there must be way out@there always is. Perhaps it will present itself when you least expect it." She gave him a tired little smile before lowering her veil.
 He rose and laid his hand on her arm. Forgive my brutal bluntness. I'm not clever at such things, but would have said as much to my sister if | had one''
 It was an honest attempt to com fort her, but it failed. 'fGoodby," she said; you mustn't give up.'
 All the way back to her hotel her mind dwelt bitterly upon his parting words. His sister His sister" she kept repeating. "God.t Can't he see?"
 Dusk was falling when the girl. with set, defiant face, went to the telephone to call up Hil1iard at the Rainier club.
 T have thought over your propo- sition, and I have changed my mind," she said. ''Yes, you may send the car for me at T." Then in reply