The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-12-21
BRIDGEPORT, CONN, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2i,

occasions. l wish to repay her debt. as well as my own, but at the same time Feel no desire to face court martial. Give me ten minutes first, and then the coast will be clear"
 He bent down, kissed her tenderly and faced me with extended hand. There was a lump in my throat which would not permit speech. yet I re- turned his firm clasp. He was fine fellow. I could envy him. bull could neither dislike nor quarrel. Had it been Dunn I should have refused to accept freedom from him, but I un- derstood Donald's motives and re- spected the man. z
 Lieutenant King, you may watch with me-" said Jean when Donald had gone. I came slowly across the room, scarcely realizing why should prove Obedient and yet unable to resist her invitation Just before he disap- peared Donald had glanced back and waveu his hand. Then the girl turned and smiled in my face.
 ''Do you like him, neutenantT' she questioned simply.
 ''He has certainly given me every reason for respect. If we had met under other circumstances I should have valued his friendship highly"
 'I am so glad to hear you say that. To me he is the noblest man living. and want you to think so.''
 "Surely." I protested, little sur prised, "you did not suppose I would dislike him because he had come into your heart in advance of meY'
 "Oh, not" the blood flooding her cheeks. "You are not one to harbor such prejudice, but am going to think of you as friend. and I want you really to care for those whom I care for. I have already emerged that far from sectional narrowness, lieutenant. I can call Yankee friend Isn't it almost a miracle? You can never know how bitter I have been, how in- tensely I have despised everything northern. Somehow you have taken that away from me, and I can never again feel the same toward chose on the other side. I-I always will re- member you."
 It was not that the words of con- fession meant so much, but the girls manner, coupled with this unexpected change in sentiment. seemed instantly to alter our entire relationship.
 Don't" she said, almost pleading ly, yet making no effort to draw away; "you must not misunderstood. You are going away now; you must go at once. It is not probable we shall ever meet again, only we are never to be enemies any more, not even in thought. I do want you to know that"
 "I thank you for that little, Miss Jean."
 "It is not little." And she lifted her eyes to mine almost indignantly. 'sIt is a great deal. I would not say to many even what have said to you. and my life has been lived under con- d.tions which enable me to trust few. trust you I'll even think care fo, you. I-I wish to recall you in mem ory. as friend: but, of course. 70, understand, that is all"
 '.All?"
 "Ies; you are going away now. It best so. I do not know, Lieutena: King, whether am legally your ". ,r not, but if am these courts W divorce me. I shall endeavor to { aotice to you, so you will also reali your complete freedom. You expe ne to do this?"
 ''I suppose I do." regretfully, "b, would make any sacrifice to have otherwise"
 She was looking directly at me, hand still in mine. her eyes grave questioning.
 "Do you really mean that-real mean all you said to me before7'
 'As God is my witness. Jean," i sisted soberly. "T do mean every wo of it-I love you earnestly, devoted, There can be no evil In ny saying thi even although know the impossibili of your making any return. I e take no advantage of the relation h tween us. claim no right to you, b. [ do confess my love. and I want yc % know the truth. You cannot thin less kindly of ne for that?"
 ''No," the blue gray of her eyes mist, her lips tremulous. TT am afrai I am so selfish as to be almost gla6 Not--not that I wish you to love me but--but 1t is some way a pleasure to know you care"
 "Do you really mean
 "Oh, no! Don't take it that way. | ought not to have said this. hardly know what I have said. All our ac-1 quaintance has been so strange as to leave me confused. I do like you Lieutenant King. and I find 1t hard to part, yet nothing else is possible. You must go, and go at once. before the guard is changed. pray you do not delay, do not finger here longer. I can say no more than I have said al- ready. and your safety depends on de parture at once."
 (To Ba Continuedl