The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1911-04-24
it carefully, and proceed to adju

4
Where is Miss Wilmot?" he said
presently, checking himself in the
midst of .whistling a few Of a popular
air.
She is not in yet, she always has
tea with Miss Morrison when she goes
to Wishfield. BY the way, is it not q
little ridiculous for you two living to-
gether in this house, to call each 9TH
er Miss wilmot and Mr.. Bardsley. sc
formally?'
'Is it?" said Jem i'll an uninterested
way, as he stood up, having loosened
the nuts, and began gently levering
up the pillar of the saddle.
IT think So / will speak to Vernon
about it." This was SO banal, so un-
like what she had meant to say, that
she broke Off, her mind flying back to
not know why she did not retire to
the drawing-room. 1t was not often
that she stood conversing with Jem
on the front door steps.
He raised the saddle to the height
which he judged would be right, and
once more stopped to adjust the
screws. What a. fright that girl is,"
he observed.
Vernon" cried Aunt Emma
sharply.
"Oh no. The Noble girl
"She may be a very nice girl, for
all that. Don't think too much of
looks, Jem. BY the way. I have let
you and Vernon In for something else.
besides the tennis Tomorrow
Jem grunted. you might give a
fellow a chance to back out if he
wants TO-"
'twell, they are having a. couple of
garden parties UP at the Court, and it
seemed to me dreary to have another
of the same kind. And young people
don't care about dinners. go thought
of picnic, if you can hit upon a suit
able spot
"Well," said Jem, you must re-
member I ought to be very busy all
the week after next''
"You must have extra help if ]
want YOU
"All right, if I know beforehand"
he replied, standing UP and straight
ening his back.
AS he spoke. the sound Of Sultana s
hoofs was heard. and Vernon rode up.
He went and dismounted her, she
crying gayly-"What are you both
doing in the porch?"
One glance was enough to make
Mrs. Bardsley pretty sure that the ug-
~ story about Jem had not reached
speeding the parting guests" she
said, her mind relieved for the mo-
ment Of one Of it's black obsessiops,
Lady Bun and Adelaide have been
to CALI
"Oh," said Vernon, Miss Tarlton
showed me the girls photo. I hope
she is nicer really than she looked in
that She was like a boiled fish,
Jem ehuckled. That's it. exactly,
he said.
why, where did this bicycle come
from?'' went on the girl. Its a
lady's mount. isn't it?"
"I had to go into Bantistock this
afternoon, so 7 brought it back with
me-" he answered. eff you want te
learn, you may as we'll begin"
| what, now this minute?" she
| cried, amused.
MY dear. your habit: And you
must be so tired" objected Aunt
Emma.
"Just a quarter of an hour" said
| Vernon. "and you know I don't veal
my habit when go to Wishfield-
only my patent"
So saying. with laughing eyes, she
unfastened the buttons that held hel
riding skirt in place, shed it, ant
stepped out in her ordinary attire.
'"There!" said she.
! Come on" urged Jem, "the gras:
is quite dry enough for the wheel.
not to hurt it. Wen go round to the
old lawn"
Mrs. Bardsley watched them Sc
away together with feelings which
rent her very heart. Had Jem real
~ done this monstrous thing, Whose
result must dog him through life
And would Vernon find it out?
| Her Jem--the boy to whom she hat
sent hampers of grub at school TO
whom she had ordered during hi
holidays, the things she knew h.
liked! But whom she had never
| taken in her arms, to whom she hat
never said one tender word, neve,
spoken of his soul, nor even Of hi
| thoughts and desires.
| She had lived her own life, self
contained and without introspection
She had always supposed that Jem
would do the same. And now, per
haps for want of an understanding
| glance, a small caress, word Of sym
pathy, he had ruined his future lif,
and bound himself in chains.
1t was a good thing that there WA
SO evidently no sympathy betwee,
him and Vernon. Had there been
what could she. what ought she, Il