The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-01-07

'It is in your department, Guy. T is your affair."" the latter said short. ly.
 And I'll answer to all of you fol the affairs of my department I an much in touch with Mafeking just now, particularly with Ferman Ell wood"
 "Or his wife?' asked Jerry slyly Reports reach even sitlagoli."
 Chalmer grinned consciously He was in no way offended
 T knew her before Elwood mar ried her. Knew her in England we'll. She's ripping"
 "So I've heard" And the traders deep eyes said no more.
 "She may be useful to us," Guy went on, with a seIf-satisfied grin. @ see a lot of her-when -Elwood's away from home. She married him for his money. Doesn't care d-r for him.
 what about Elwood?''' asked Mike reused to unusual interest by the sub. ject of the discussion.
 Dead stuck on her." said Guy read. fly.
 Poor devil," said Jerry, rising. He produced e bottle of Kango brandy and some glasses, and carefully meas ured out drinks, which he handed round to his companions.
 Here's to the lady, Chalmer," sait Mike. grinning across from his bed as he raised his glass for the toast .T should say we may safely leave El. wood in your hands. May she prove a Delilah to his Samson"
 added Jerry quietly.
 You're all devilish cheerful Why not my David to his Uriah?" laughed Guy
 Sam Goodall alone had nothing to say. His cautious nature saw noth- ing that called for a ribald toast. He was q firm believer in keeping women out Of all hazardous undertakings. He was no adherent of the old form of knight errantry when love formed the principal basis of all conflict; he was the modern product Wealth and pow CT was his mistress. Love might be incident, but that was all. He knew the risk involved; in his exact man ner he had weighed all possibilities, and his calculations, admitted of no female element. So he dranK his li- quor in silence, mad took no part in the laugh of the youthful giant on the bed.
 The glasses were set down G1S Chalrner rose from his seat and stretched himself.
 'tNo," he said, T haven't forgotten Herman Eiwood, nor, in fact, any of the Mafeking folk. I give you my word they will be duly accounted for. Remember, there is no telegraph north of vryburg, and we control i, there. We shall meet emergency as emergency arises, and our methods
 
 going to Mafeking now. Have you a decent horse to lend me. Jerry?"
 But as Guy Chalmer rode off later. gay, debonair, the most frankly care less leader possible to imagine, he was less easy than his manner suggested. It was the mask he faced the world with, and was as little the real man as we'll could be. He knew he was plunging for life and fortune with a borrowed stake; his life and fortune else mattered with him; and when he permitted rimself reflection the game a little overwhelmed him.
 Some men are like this. He was a man of impetuous action, ready, fear less to point. But he could not stand at the edge of an abyss and gaze at the depths into which he must plunge. He knew Herman FL wood better than his companions knew him, and the recollection of him had always hovered in the back of his thoughts like some unpleasant shad- ow. That his fellow-schemers should consider this man an actual danger came unpleasantly to him now.
 While he travelled over the yellow sand-road towards Mafeking by way of Maritzani, there was another horse man making for Mafeking as the crow flies.
 e It was Herman Elwood. And he had adopted the veldt because he knew that Cha1mer was in possession of the road, and he had no desire
 = Gro Be Contfnued.)
 PADS AND FASHIONS =
 Brocades are glorying in. a revival