The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-05-06

vernon gave q start SnG cOulu
not help it, and as Mrs. Bardsley's
head was resting upon her shoulder
she naturally felt it.
j ooh, my dear, nothing that you
know anything Of" she moaned, "At
least, 1 hope and trust you don't"
Vernon began some rapid thinking.
"Auntie," she said at length, STOPPING
| as she spoke, to put a kiss upon that
brow which had been so strangely
little kissed during it's owners life
time, ARE you very fond Of Jem %
| "Oh, my dear! If he had been my
own, I don't think L could have loved
him more. He is so like his uncle,
my husband"
st don't believe" said Vernon more
softly, that he knows that"
Knows what, my dear?'
| t"That you are very fond of him"
| '.He may we'll doubt it," said the
elder woman bitterly, seeing how
have persistently misunderstood him,
and left him to himself. Vernon, for
anything wrong that poor Jem may
have done, God Almighty will hold
me responsible, because 1 stood aside
and never tried to make his life the
kind of life that is bearable to a
| high-spirited young man."
But he hasn't done anything
wrong said Vernon soothingly.
"Ah, my dear, you don't know, and
| pray God you never will. But I feel
! it, as if he were my own-as if he
| were my own!''
He hasn't done anything he is
ashamed off, maintained Vernon
steadily; 81 know he hasn't. If lie
had. he wouldn't run away from the
consequences. He wants to leave
is because he does not like me, and
is Jealous of me. I have always
known it, my dear, ever since 1 came.
Only 1 thought perhaps I could win
him over. But can't. I have tried
and I can't. But of course if it comes
to turning him out of the house,
that's simply absurd I shall go, and
he will stay
of mingled horror and expostulation.
"Auntie," said the girl, eff you
leave it to me, believe I can arrange
it. Even if you were as fond of me
as you are Of him-even if you want
ed me. personally, as much as you
want him-which isn't likely, seeing
how short a time you have had me
even if that were so, there is the
land to think of. Jem must not go,
and I believe that I can prevent his
going. But first, I should have TO
make you a long explanation. Let
me talk to you; it will turn off your
thoughts
but, Vernon darling, feel sure
you are quite wrong. He never said
a word that could suggest he thought
of you in any way. He said it was a
trouble-and as I told you, I have
known for some weeks what it isl
For some weeks"
Eyes. I heard of it-heard that
there was this terrible rumor afloat
from Sophia Tarlton. I am sure
that it has reached the Umfraville,
for Miles has been so cold to Jem
ever since. You remember, he would
not let Selma go cycling with you"
But, if it is the same rumor that
have heard, how could you believe
it to be true of Jem?'' asked Vernon
wonderingly.
"You have heard it?"
To-day, for the first time
81 thought as much" said her aunt
passionately. ''This district visiting
is not for young girls! You hear al
the poisonous things that are lurking
in the poor distorted hearts of these
low people,
Eyes, but I don't believe them"
said Vernon stoutly, though it seems
that you do. I can't think how any
body could really know Jem and be-
lieve that of him. I know quite we'll
why he is going, and 1 have told you
half the reason. Now 1 will tell you
the other half. He is growing to
care for Selma, and he thinks Sir
Miles has determined to put stop
to any such idea on his part
Vermont" gasped Mrs. Bardsley, in
complete surprise.
"Auntie, what you have to do is 20
follow up that rumor to it's source
and kill it, said Vernon earnestly.
''If it goes trickling on among all the
people you know, it may do real
harm, because it will be said that
you do not contradict it. Tell Jem
honestly that you have heard it, and
ask him for his assurance that it is
false
Her aunt looked fixedly at her
What makes you SO sure that this
thing is not true?''
why, auntie Il don't see that one
could help being sure. You have
known Jem all his life. He isn't very
sweet-tempered-but have you ever
known him base?"
Never, never! And when he was
boy 1 had him here constantly"
Very well then. I think it is