The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-11-14

 ~R. BERSONIN. huge and white
 f1anneled. with Phil by his D side. strolled away through the swarming crowd. Not a word, not a glance of, the younger man that evening. had escap- ed him. He had been studying him with all the minute attention of that great, oyerweehing- brain that. from an origin of which he never spoke, had made hinf one of the foremost experi- uenters in Europe. The swift gleam in Phil's eye as he watched the geishas. the eager drinking in of the girlish daintiness, the colors and perfumes to which he stretched himself like cat the watchful, impassive eyes took note of everything. All Bersonin's s talk had held an evil lure. It had 1 touched on the extravagant and sen sual vagaries of luxury, the sybaritic pleasures of the social gourmet. sub l jects appealing to the imagination of | the youth whom he was examining like a, slide under the microscope. l They had stopped once at a chaya for l tea. but Phil had called for the hot native sake. and as it's musty. sherry | like fumes crept into his blood he talk | ed with increasing recklessness. Be meath their yelled contemptuousness [ Bersonin's feline eyes began to harbor stealthy satisfaction. He had guess ed why Phil had suggested coming to Mukojima. The latters restlessness. his sanxious sufyeiilahce of the passers- by, might have enlightened less ob- servant spectator.
 Phil's new passion had, in fact, . strong hold on him. That long ago picture of Haru. barefooted in the l surf, frequent recollection had stamp i ed on his brain. and the sight of her fresh beauty today had famed the coal to q fame Those stolen kisses I in the bamboo lane had reused lurk- ing devil that counted nothing but his own desires, For this hour, while the | sake ran in his pulses, the flame over- shadowed even, Bersonin.
 I -"Well. my boy said the latter at length quizzically. -when you find her | just give me the hint, and l'll go.'' l Phil flushed. then laughed softly. "So you are d mind reader. too?" he l said
 It's written all over you." said Der sonin. Why didn't you tell me? We I could have postponed our dinner and left you free for the chase. It is a 1 chase, eh:''.
 I "fes," said Phil Fl haven't had much luck with her yet. I just hap pened to know she was to be here to- night. She's pretty little devil" he added, 'the prettiest I've seen in Ja- pam
 S"The Japanese type is the. rage in Paris now." said the other. ..Take her there, dress her in jewels and drive her through the Bois some afternoon and you'll be the most talked of man in France next morning"
 The red deepened in PhiIs cheek The prospect drew him. He looked at Bersonin. Paris and jewels. l. He drank more sake at the next tea house. It had begun to show in a shaking of the hand. louder voice
 Suddenly Phil sprang to his feet
 'There she isr' he exclaimed.
 I Bersonin looked. "Lovefyw he said
 T congratulate you. I'll walk back to the motorcar-the sights amuse me
 You can come along when you please
 Dinner will wait And. anyway
 what's dinner to pretty womanT'
 Phil plunged into the crowd, and the
 expert spoke quickly to the servant
 who was staring after him. Better
 keep him in sight, he said .You can come when he does. l Bersonin was sauntering on. when a [, tt Voil behind him made him turn. 4 N0msn's cry and an angry oath in English rang out. startlingly clear above tho low murmur of the multi tude.. He caught glimpse of Japa- nese form leaping like tigers of Phil lying in the dust of the road; of girl
 vanishing swiftly into the shadows.
 As the expert hurried forward Phil I stumbled to his feet. Lights were danc, ing before his eyes. and his neck felt as if he had been garroted. With his first breath he turned on Ishida. in coherent with rage and curses. The big man caught his arm:
 s'The honorable sir make mistake. ' ] said the Japanese smoothly. Man have done that who have ranned away"
 |. 'He lies."' said Phil fiercely. There | was no one else near me but the girl | He did it himself. He tried to jujutsu l me''
 The fingers of the Japanese were clenched, but his face was impressive as he added: T think he have been snik thief"
 That's 90 doubt the way it was
 Phil.' said Bersonin Why on earth would Ishida touch you? That's an