The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-04-05

mess of it. I came to the wrong station, and was landed miles out of my way, and I had so little money I decided to tramp it,and leave my lug gage. I have enough to pay for a nights lodging, though. I don't want to beg
 "I never heard such an extraordin- ary story" he said, in the unpleas- ant manner which is equivalent to saying, 'I don't believe a word" why could you not wire to the friends who were expecting you?''
 Nobody is expecting me-" she re- piled.
 He stared her up and down. She wore a blue serge travelling suit, and 8 hat, which was a sodden wreck. There was a, button off her coat nothing looks more demoralized than double breasted coat, minus one button. Her appearance most cer- tainly could not be described as f1ashy. But any amount of rouge and pearl powder might have been washed off by the floods of rain Perhaps, when you have had some food, you will be able to make up more likely story said Jem con- temptuously.
 There flashed up at him look which he had not expected. 'I dare say I could, with your help" said the girl brusquely. You had yours all ready on your tongue, when you op. ened the door-hadn't you?"
 He looked savage, but had no time to reply to this unlooked-for thrust, for Laura pushed open the oaken door, lamp in her hand
 ''This way, please said she.
 Rising slowly and hobbling with difficulty, the stranger crossed the hall, trail of water marking her track. Supporting herself by the wall, she crept down long stone passage, and entered a large, clean, comfortable kitchen, with the high backed fireside seat usual in that part of the country. Laura had stirred the sleeping fire to a. glowing blaze, and on the white, well-scrubbed ta- ble, were a glass of milk and a cou- pie of biscuits.
 The expression of Mrs. Trent's face was neither hospitable nor encouray- ing; but sheer humanity demanded the extension of some help to 50 des- olate a creature. She stood watch ing, while the girl satisfied the first fierce bangs of hunger with the mod crate refreshment provided. She set Suede with a gilt buckle, upon the well-scoured fender, and wrinkled her white forehead into petulant frown. In few minutes, Jem entered, and standing near, joined his stare to hers.
 Well, have you found out who she is?" said Mrs. Trent, impatiently. He whistled. "Her imagination is hardly in proper order," he replied. ''She will arrange her material bet ter, aftef some food.''
 Thee were clean towels, airing up- a horse at distance from the fire. Mrs. Trent took one and held it out to the shivering girl, keeping her own dainty raiment carefully aloof as hod fo L off her sopping hat, and now buried her face in the clean, dry folds, rubbing energetically. When her head emerg- ed from this treatment, there was a faint glow upon cheeks which had previously been of greenish tint: and the tendrils of her burnished hair were all a-twist and a-curl.
 "I haven't got my birth certificate on my person. I don't habitually carry it," she remarked dryly. ''But as it happens, it is in my trunk, at Southampton, waiting till I send for them. AS it appears that the young man won't accept my unsupported statement, there doesn't seem to be much use in any more words"
 Never mind the young man," said Mrs. Trent, who seemed to be slowly recovering her balance after the shock she had been through. "Tell me who you are, and what you are doing here at this time of night Has there been an accident?"
 "No," said the girl, desisting from the rubbing of her hair, and stopping blaze in the grate. There has been nothing but folly. I don't know Eng land, I am from America; and I sort