The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-07-22
CHAPTER VIII.
SOME EXTRAORDINARY LETTERS.

despite the peculiarity of her situation and the shadOwy doubts that had fit ted into her mind, she felt no distrust of him personally. On the contrary, his reappearance seemed like the re turn of an intimate friend, and she was glad in her heart to see him once more. 'Oh, Miss Grayman," he exclaimed, approaching with outstretched hand, you cannot know how I have been annoyed by my enforced absence! If there had been anybody here to re- ceive it I should have sent you a dis patch, but
 But my friends-my father?" she interrupted.
 T was about to tell you; but, in fact, I have here something better than any explanation I could make. Look at this and then say whether I have not brought some good news" And, laughing, he held up letter, which he then put into her hands.
 Miss Helen Grayman.
 At Bear Lodge.
 By the hand of Commodore F. Brown.
 So ran the superscription, and Miss Graymans heart bounded on recogniz- ing her fathers handwriting, She tore open the envelope and read:
 Pettytown June g, 1886.
 My Very Dear Daughter-A miserable series of accidents has spoiled the sur prise that we had in store for you 1t was a foolish piece of business from the start, but I thought that it might give you pleasure, and the Mitchell girls and their brother had their hearts set upon 1t and gave me no rest until consented We intended to meet you at Commodore Browns lodge; then we were to spend week fishing and hunting, winding up with visit to little Indian village whose inhabitants have long been proteges of Mir. Browns.
 Of course you were astonished to be carried off as you were. and have been more than astonislled ct myself for con senting to it, and I should never have done so if I had not known so we'll tho antecedentS and character Of Frederick Brown. The MitcheIls. who are very in- innate with him and admire him greatly, have taken it into their heads that you aud he ought to be acquainted. and Agnes Mitchell invented what she called "a love- ly plan to bring about the Introduction in an aboriginal manner I can only say Helen, that my consent to entrustiDg you to his charge was wrung from me through my esteem for the young man. We expected, of course, to join you as soon as you arrived at the lodge. out from the start the aero engaged by the Mitch els proved a relatively slow fiier. and then came the accident.
 Now, you will want to know wf: send you letter instead of coming myself. It is a most extraordinary and provoking series of misehances. When we sent for Brown to come to our aid we supposed that the injury could quickly be repaired. Instead it turns out that it is irreparable except ia a shop, and we shall have to send the aero back by train, And then, to cap the climax. when Brown had turn ed out half his men to make room for us and had embarked Us his aero through some fault of the steersuaan ran into a tree, and we all had narrow escape. It turned out that the machine was so crip- pied that only Brown and his engineer could go in her. You are hundred and fifty miles away in a wilderness with no roads. We do not know where to send for another aero, and, in truth. I should hard ly care to entrust myself in one again and am distressed to think that you will have to.de so in order to return. S-a
 But I have every confidence in Mr. Brown, and he assures me that such an accident. never occurred to him before and that he can put his aero into perfect shape agRin with the machinery which he has at the lodge. The, upshot is that I
 
 first train we can get for New York. MT. Brown will bring you back as soon as he can repair his aero. am glad to. learn that Mrs. Williams is at his lodge. She is a worthy woman reduced in circumstances early in life and formerly housekeeper for the Uphams
 wish I could be with you for the trout fishing that Frederick tells me about. But this Is the last, as it is the first, foolish ness Of this kind I shall ever engage in Your very affectionate father,
 WILLIAM CHAPMAN
 In reading this letter the poor girl was completely deceived The re- semblance to her sire's writing was so perfect. the manner of addressing her was so exactly in his style, and, more over. her mensal blindness induced by her own romantic fancies was so com plete that she suspected DO imposition
 So she looked up at Payton after reading the letter with beaming eyes and flushed cheeks and said with gem uine feeling:
 T thank you most sincerely, Com inodore Brown. My father explains the whole affair, and it was very, very good of you to return so quickly in SouT u1oaDicu dEIU III OTu6T IO TellGf6 my anxiety. It is a dreadful disap- pointment, but-but I am sure the trip has not been without its pleasures for me even if its principal object has been missed"
 Payten could hardly contain his de- light over the success of his bold ruse Then he set out to complete his mas tery of the situation by entertaining Miss Grayman, cultiyating her inter- est and confidence in himself and keep ing her thoughts from dwelling upon her disappointment Mrs. Williams seized the first opportunity to tell him about the adventure in the woods, and less than an hour after his return Miss Grayman, in gay spirits. accompanied by Susan, embarked with him in the canoe for visit to tho spot where her curiosity and doubts had been excited.
 "Mrs. Williams has told me about your fright" he said. land about her own fright also. The bears are dan gerous, and have ordered Indian John to be on the spot well armed, so if you are still curious about the grave of the big bear we'll go and see it and try to satisfy your curiosity"
 Accordingly he took them to the ,1, I,0