The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-12-12
A Fiaaieah Anniversary
By RANDALL PARRISH
COPYRIGHT. leoe BY A. C MecLuRc co
lContinued.)

The man and the soldier seemed warning in his mind before he could reply, but the man won.
 "Yes, they exist; built with the house. for protection against feudists. and with no thought of war. But they can be of no service to you, as came that way entering the house and met no one. How could any one who is an enemy to the occupants of this house have discovered the passage?'
 That I do not know, but some one certainly has been here tonight Who- ever it was. he came by way of none of the ordinary entrances. You must acknowledge that. If I am not the guilty man, and I swear insthe pres ence of God am not. then the assas- sin must have come by the way of the secret passage. He may have found fl, by accident, but 1t has served his purpose. and a search of it might give us his trail. I plead with you for this opportunity to vindicate myself"
 What he saw in the countenance of the girl as his eyes fell from mine to her face I could not tell, but his ex- precision softened perceptibly, slight smile curling his lips.
 ssYou have an advocate here, lieuten- ant. who does not need to speak in order to influence me. The secret is mine merely in trust, but will deal fairly with you. am going, to leave you here with Jean while I take a light and make,sa careful exploration. Is this satisfactory?
 I bowed in silence, fully aware I had no right to expect more. He stepped back, drew an afghan up over the motionless body lying on the lounge and advanced to the door.
 You will not attempt to leave this room until I return he said. pausing to glance back at us.
 q will not, Colonel Donald"
 tI may be doing wrong," he ad- mitted, as if arguing the matter with himself, "but I seem to have imbibed some of Jeans faith"
 We heard his steps in the hall; then OFT ears followed his movements as he went up the stairs. Our eyes met.
 Your confidence in me is more thar I have any right to expect" ventnred. feeling must speak.
 Perhaps 1t Is woman's intuition she replied quietly, although in hif heart believe Colonel Donald is equal ly convinced of your innocence Had he not been he would never have left you alone to my guarding"
 "He is . strong man mentally and physically. don't think ever saw nobler face It is difficult for me to think of him as a leader of guerriuas T
 tsNor is he in the sense you mean He commands irregulars. it Is true. bu, he is doing real service for the Con federacy and protecting life and prop. erty in this region. No man could be more humane, more mercfful Yet he has done you Yankees greater harm than some division commanders"
 You are evidently a good friend to Colonel Donaldr'
 sT am more than that" soberly, heI eyes on mine; 'T am nearer to him than any one else"
 She made the confession as though ii were the most natural thing in the world. without embarrassment It was true, then. as I suspected-her love fol Donald was the real obstacle between her and Calvert Dunn
 T do not, understand. Miss Dens low" the feeling in my voice render, ing it tremulous, "this relationship be tween you and Colonel DonaldY' <
 '4Nor can I explain to you, stranger Indeed. may have said too much al ready. But what is that?'
 There was no doubt as to what il