The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1911-02-02

OF what ne believed to be right. Be-
sides, this was different. It was his
love, his jealousy that urged him. No,
pleading would not avail her. Not
now; not in this. His love for her
would only make him the harder.
She knew what passion must have
been his to drive him on such a
course, then. what hope could there
be for a few pleading words from
her?
Her task seemed utterly hopeless.
Yet she had promised to save this
man. How? how? Was there only
the one way? Must she declare in
his favor? No, no! A thousand
times no. Besides-she shuddered--
it would be Ferman's death-sentence.
She knew him so well that she was
sure he would carry out his share In
the compact.
Her brain swan with the effort
she was putting forth. How? how
Fer heart cried out in its hopeless
ness. She gazed about her for in
spiration, but there was no hope to
be drawn from the surrounding
gloom. The bitterness Of those mo-
ments was terrible. He loved her:
Her husband loved her! Oh, God!
Happiness was all but within her
grasp after all these weary, weary
days. Was she to lose it? Was 1t
to be torn from her now, now, when
she knew that he was hers absolute
ly, irrevocably?
now. But-was there no one to help
her?
Again she stared helplessly about
her; she looked from the yawning
pit at her feet to the cleaning sky
above her. The light b1azed down
into her eyes, for the sun was past
its meridian. It dazzled her and set
them watering, and she turned them
again to earth. And as she did SO
the inspiration she sought came to
her.
will you make your choice,
Mary?''
1t was her husbands voice, but she
hardly needed it.
She faced him, her heart beating
high with hope. She must keep
calm; she must make no mistake.
"And when is the fulfilment of this
this compact due?" she asked with
an outward calmness that was mad
dening to hold.
AT noon today" her husband re.
piled gravely.
The woman's heart leapt. It was
as though something were clutching
at her throat.
sAnd what time is it now?" she
asked him, her voice sounding far
away to her as though it were some
body else speaking.
Elwood looked at his watch.
Nearly one o'clock" he said, with
out understanding.
Mary shook her head. Suddenly
she felt more sure of herself.
"Then why do you not carry out
your compact? Which of you can
claim my love? Remember the one
upon whom have bestowed my love
lives! The other"-she pointed a,
the wondergat-"dies!"
There was a silence while she wait.
ed for an answer. Then slowly, IS
none was forthcoming, pathetic
little smile stole into the grey depths
of her eyes.
well? I am waiting"
Still there was no answer. Tive
pairs of puzzled, questioning, eyes were
turned upon her. Two brains con
tanned the same wondering thought
Mary turned coldly upon Chalmer
"Do you claim my-affection? 2" she
asked CONTEMPORARY. 81 don't re.
member having recently bestowed
anything but hearty dislike upor
you. I believe, even, that during the
last twenty-four hours I have con.
vinced you that my dislike closely
borders upon hatred"
She waited a moment, and ther
| turned back to her husband.
"And you? do not think have
departed from the terms of oul
| marriage agreement. bear your
name, that is all. Have + ever giver
your any assurance of a change in m,
feelings towards your"
She paused.
cit is left for you. then, to carry
out your compact she went on. "On,
of you diestI believe by his owr
| hand--if the other can claim my
affections. That, I think, is tn,
| agreement"
She looked again from one to tn,
| other and felt that she was mistres.
| of the situation. Nevertheless she wa.
still anxious. still not quite sure.
Neither of tho men moved or spoke
They had nothing to say, and sh,
knew that this silence was an admis
sion Of defeat. She could have criet
aloud in her joy. She waited jus
long enough to be certain that N
| interruption was Forthcoming, ant
then proceeded to complete her vic
tory.
| Her words were addressed to he.
| husband, and were spoken in q vote,