The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-03-25
THE FATAL RUBY
BY H CHARLES GARVICE
(Continued.)
Author of ..Just a Girl" ''Diana and Destiny "In WtIfs ClOtling,' etc.
Copyright, 1909 By George H. Doran Company

(Continued)
 Smithers was on the gangway 10 rsceiye him and greet him with his habitual respect and affection.
 well, Smithers." said Ronald, did you have a good time last night?"
 .sToIer'ble, sir,'' replied Smithers rrayely. but with a twinkle in his blue eyes. Lively little place, sir; reminds me of Barnet fair, only bit more classy, as you may say' though. for my part, I missed the amt Sallies and the shootin' galler- ies: and, if you'll believe me, sir, I'd the hardest job in the world to get a glass O decent beer. Champagne seems to be kept on draught, an 10 be the reglar tipple O the natives Lot O money here, sir; to see It iyln on them green tables, just as if il was dirt-my, I'd bit of an .adven- ture last night, sir, he added, as ne hung about the saloon in the hope of being able to do something for his master
 You generally contrive to do that wherever you are, Smithers," said Ronald absentIy.
 "Yes. sir It runs in our family One O. my uncles on my mothers 8 side was Count bailiff-a man in possession, sir; an he was chucked out O. window so often that he allus felt shy and uncomfortable if he left a house by the door. Strange how things run in families. sir. There was a aunt O mine"
 What was your adventure last night?" cut in Ronald, knowing that. If he were permitted to do so, Smith CTS would run on till doomsday. I'm going back to Monte Carlo to breakfast"
 Glad to hear it, sir. Oh, it wasn't much. sir, I was only very near run over I was walking along the road on my way back when a swell car rfage came tearing along and almost atop of me. If I hadn't jumped like . cat with a broom after it I should have been on the sick list this morn ing. Shouldn't have complained, sir. of course. for the road is meant for vehicles; but the coachman of this swell carriage cut at me with his whip and used strong language-at least, 1 judged it was strong, though l did mt understand it. Swear words ell have the same sound in all the langwidges, if you notice, sir. It got my monkey up, and Iwent for i'm nearly touched i'm. too; but not quite I fell all of a sudden before ] could get hold of i'm, an the car riage turned in at a pair O big iron gates@
 Weren't hurt, hope?" said Ron ald.
 -Oh, dear, no, sir; but I was sc upset that I tried to follow that free and easy coachman, and give i'm a bit O my mind-not that I've much to spare, sir-when they damned the as the oyster said when they took il off the shell. I thought I'd wait : bit to see if my. friend as was SC ready with his whip would come ou and talk it over like a man. so I sa myself down, and presently"
 .'Yes; I see I shall have the pleas ant task of bailing you and paying 2 substantial fine if we remain hert long" @
 No fear. sir. He didn't come out but a very pretty young woman wen in She>looked at me so pleasantly that I up and spoke to 'er. Singulal !, to cay. she spoke English-what sht thinks is English, bless Ter innocen 'eart-an' we 'ad a chat. She's in tn, service of the Count"
 -@What?" said Ronald sharply Tn. Count seemed to crop up in every