The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-04-13
GU T OF T HE NIGHT
 by Mrs. Baillie Reynolds
 Author of ''BroISen Off,' ''The Supreme Test, ' "A Phantom Wife, Etc.
Copyright, 1910 By George H. Doran Company
(Continued.)

 openly of being after your aunt's money. You tell me that I look up- on you as a rival claimant: and then you size me up-I know the kind of man you are, and there's an end!' !" He laughed very bitterly. "You think you know the kind ot man I am, do you. You sit in judgment on me, and condemn me. As you like. I eX- pect the Pharisee thought he knew all about the publican--all there was to know. You make a. big mistake but I expect that is but natural under the circumstances. At any rate it clears the ground on one side. know what you think of me, by Jove!" He made a sound of derision. You might be astonished if I were to tell you what I think of you; but that couldn't interest you. and may as we'll be left out"
 He rose from the table, and gath cred up the open letters that lay around his plate. What do I care." said he, whether you are here or not? I suppose the house is big enough for both of us.'
 A rush of remorse overcame Yer non. The intolerable smart of the mans hurt pride rang through his harsh words. She had lain awake half the night, nursing her indigna- ton against him for the unwarrant- able affront of yesterday. She felt that she had spoken to him in heat and resentment, though it had been her wish and aim to speak plainly but in calmness. She had not been prepared to find him so sensitive, and, too late, she wanted to retrieve the false step that she had taken. As he gained the door she said faint ly, "Oh-Mr. Bardsley-I didn't mean to be so horrid. But-you know you were atrocious, last night"
 He paused. Yes he said "the passages between us haven't been very felicitous. have they? However, note what you say. If things get intolerable. it is my place to go. not yours I see that
 Now cried she, 'you wilfully misunderstood me-
 But he was gone, and had banged the door.
 He left the girl somewhat sick at heart. She had meant to begin so differently. She had always been so petted, indulged. admired by the other sex, that Jem's plainly display ed aversion seemed like an outrage She was overswept by a vast desire to get back to Golden Ridge and Lionel. Yet she felt in her heart that to leave Mrs. Bardsley would be sheer cruelty. The elder woman had not for long years known such a pleasure as the visit of her brothers child brought to her. The estrange- ment, between herself and Vernon, the father, had been the great sorrow of her life Now it seemed that the presence and the affection of Vernon the daughter might heal the wound that for so many long years had bled in secret. And so far as could be seen, there was no shadow of a req son why Vernon should not stay. Her estate was in capable hands, she had no ties, she had plenty of money and was her own mistress. There seemed to be, at least for a time, no escape from the situation.
 When her aunt came down to breakfast, she was full of animation, previous evening. She had done her duty by the Trents and now she and Vernon could, with clear conscience, decline all further invitations. There spirits which st.e did not confide to the girl, and this was that she could not but perceive that Sir Miles was attracted by her niece. If such a poetic justice. The union of Montagu and Capulet-the daughter of Mar garet Wilmot and the nephew of Miles Umfraville.
 She was too sensible a woman, D.e- sides being too genuinely refined, 70 speak to the girl upon such a subject But it Lay at her heart and warmed it.
 II was so relieved" she said, that, by sending you in with the Vicar managed to avoid the diet topic. You know MT. Turpin and Miss Tarlton, when together, never speak of any thing else. It was amusing for a few years, but now they really do go in- to such. minute detail as to the effects of the various schemes upon their digestions that I get quite nervous: and Selma is something dreadful, she is such a monkey: and Jem encour- ages her. What do you think of her. Vernon?'
 q find her very fascinating, re- piled Vernon who're -heartedly. ''She is freer more unpreiudiced, more na- tural than I expected to find English girls
 Her aunt sighed. My dear, if you expected to find English girls formed upon the model of Miss Charlotte NJ