The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-03-01
CHAPTER ". Brotfier and Sister.


 CHAPTER ". Brother and Sister. "Ronnie!" she gasped, pressing him to her lovingly. "Ohy Bonnie, why have you eome?''
 Ronald Desboreugff took her head in his hands, put the hair from her forehead kissed her, and laughed re- assuringly. Its all right, Eviet" he snfd, in a ffanks careless way, "Done be frightened. Why, you're trembling like a mouse. But, of course, you are frightened, having to steal out of the house like thief in the night; it's deuced rough on you, and I ought to be ashamed of myself for asking you to come"
 NO. noP' she breathed. "Of course, I would come. l should have been here some minutes before this. but thought [ heard sound in tl4e wood, and I fingered amongst the trees to listen. Are you sure you haven't been seen. RonnSe? Are you quite sufe?''
 He laughed the easy, confident laugh of the man te whom fear $ a stranger whose nerves are of steel.
 Quite sure. Who is there to see me? l lodged the keeper: he's ar the other end of the wood Don't tremble, Kiddie, or l shall be sorry that asked you to come. But l couldn't go away without seeing you once. more--"
 "Oh, Ronnie!" she broke in anx. iously. There's some fresh trouble, I know there iss TeH me. Ronnie dear; tell me quickly. It it any thing very serious this time?" He shrugged his shoulders, smiled down at her, and drew her cloak, which had come apart. across the bo- some of her evening dress.
 Well. it is rather serious, I'm afraid, Evie. Therel don't start, and don't cry cut; we may be heard"
 What is it, Ronnie % she whisper ed tremulously. "Is it money again 9"
 Partly" he replied. with little laugh. "Ifs always money when you haven't got it. But it's not only that this time. Look here, I've half a mind not to tell you, but if l don't. you'1f worry all the more and think it's worse even than it is. I've got into a scrape; but that's no news, IS it?'' He laughed again, and lit an- other cigarette. Lets go inside and sit down."
 He drew her into the summer house, and they sat, with his arm round her, her head resting on his shoulder. They loved each other, this brother and sister; the girl with a whoIe-soui devotion, ever ready to sacifice itself, the man with an ad- miring, protective affection, which. alas! had no power to protect; they had been all in all to each other through childhood and youthful days. until Ronalfs wild courses had car ried him from her side and separated them.
 Dexter Reece could not only hear every word they said, but could see them plainly through an opening in the sun-dfied pIanks against which he crouc7ed.
 Now tell me- said Evelyn, with anxious fmpatiehee.
 "An right" he returned; 'sbttt don't get scared. I'm in a hole as regards money-always am; but I've got into another trouble. You know Lydstone? No; you don't know him, of course, but you've heard me speak of him. I've had a row with him. He's tae kind of beast it is difficult not to have a row with. You cain have a tit-up with most fellows, and neither you nor they bear malice or are the worse for it, but it's different with Lydstone; he's an nl-eonditionea cur, and cuts up hastily when he gets the worst of it."
 Why do you know such q man 2" asked Evelyn. why should you have him for one of your friends?"
 He shrugged his shoulders and laughed.
 "Oh, as to that, fellow can't al- ways pick his acquaintances. Lyd- stone is no friend of mine, never was, even before we quarrelled; but he's in our set, ana one has to know him."
 What did you quarrel abeut?" He hesitated, and she pressed his arm and added earnestly, why do you hesitate? You must fell me every thing, Bonnie. Isn't that why you came?"
 That's all right" he said. "wer. it's about a woman: suppose you've guessed that?"
 She made a gesture of assent and apprehension.
 ''Who is she, Bonnie ?" she asked in a low voice. Do I know herr"
 ''No," he said promtply, curtly. She's a Princess; a foreigner, of course"
 "Oh. Ronnie." mufmufsd Evelyn, with a sigh
 "No. mol" he said quickly. Don't make a mistake. I know little and