The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-04-17


Bishop, and thought the whole ar
rangements should have been left In
his hands.
But he can't persuade his people
to come to church, even those who
live within a stones throw" observed
Mrs Bardsley, so that you would
think he would be glad the Missioner
was more successful. One of these
days we will drive over together to
service there"
That will be nice said Vernon.
She seldom left her aunt on two
consecutive afternoons but it SO
CHANGED that Mrs. Bardsley had
working party that afternoon, at Miss
Tarlton's, so she was driven off i'm
mediately after an unusually early
lunch; and Vernon mounted Suitana,
and rode away to Wishfield, having
studied a map, and taking less
devious route than that of the magic
pond.
She was conscious of a charming
little private thrill of adventure as
they topped the Gap, and saw the
country upon the further side lying
beneath them. Now that she knew
| where to look for it. she found that
the crucifix which stood outside the
ugly little chapel was visible from
where she stood. 1t made a landmark
for her as she rode down the hill,
until the winding road hit it.
When she reached the chapel she
dismounted, having remarked on the
previous evening a cottage which had
a few farm buildings attached. Here
she knocked, and a small shy girl,
| coming to the door, thought there
| would be no objection to her fasten-
| ing Sultana in the shed.
This done, she took her way, with
much hesitation, down the road to
the cottage where the Mysteries had
yesterday taken place.
The door was shut, and her timid
knock remained some time unanswer-
ed. Then, just as she was about to
tap again, the door was opened a
chink, and a hard-faced woman look
ed out, suspiciously. Her eyes were
| bloodshot, her mouth set in grim
lines Had Vernon not glimpsed
&c m ething of the tragedy within the
cottage she would have thought her
| merely rude and detestable. But in
| the light OF her curiously acquired
| knowledge, she guessed at the suffer-
| ing and the shame hidden behind the
| repellent mask What dyer want?"
| asked the woman roughly.
ST hope" said Vernon shyly, chat
| I don't intrude? / was passing yes
| terday, and Miss Morrison was here
is she here now?"
| mo, she amt"
''She asked me to go for the doc
| tor. II hope he Gamer"
Eyes. He came
"And is''-vernon was red and
shamefaced--''is she--the sick girl
| going on all right?"
| AS she spoke, sound broke upon
her ear---that thin. protesting wall Of
| the newborn child which stirs in
many women a feeling far deeper
than can be explained, and wholly in
describable. Emotion seized upon the
girl; trembling took her, it seemed
| that all the blood in her body surged
| in a wave upon her heart. ooh" she
said, and knew that her voice was
broken with sob, sis that the--the
baby"
The woman stared at her snarIing-
ly, Oh the lookout for insult.
II can't tell you where Miss Nor
rison is, If it's her you want. I don't
expect her here. not till eight O'clock
this evening" She made as If to
shut her visitor out.
NO said Vernon, very shyly, al
did not come to see Miss Morrison. ]
came to see if could help--you.
don't want to interfere, but I come
from America, and I have very few
friends, and--and a baby is SO won.
derful.''
Good Lord" said the woman, evil
} IDENTIFY believing the intruder to be .
lunatic.
lis il girl or a boy?" asked Yer.
: non, simply unable to control her in.
tense curiosity on this importan
) point.
The newly made grandmother look.
} ed stonily upon her, and as If com
} PEELED against her will, let drop tn,
paralyzing words
TITS twins"
; 'Twins!--why then, can help
/ cried Vernon joyously SCI am sur,
you must want more clothes and 81
. on, and I should so like to get some.'
her face was overlooking with 10!
: and sagerness. IF you would be az
very kind as to let me write a list q,
things you want. T would bring them
tomorrow"
The woman contemplated her in al
amazement which bereft her of al
speech for a few moments. 'whers
dyou come from" she demanded g.
: length. "Ain't there nobody to lool
' after your"
81 come from a long way off--Car
| roulea am Mrs Rards1ay's riaea