The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-12-11
A Fidaieeh Ammiversar;z r;z
Y By RANDALL PARRISH
COPYRIGHT. 1909. BY A. C MecLURc a co.
i(Continued.l

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 'sSo that was IL. Iean. dear. And I gave you a bad scare. You must forgive me. for it was unintentional. I came back hurriedly. without wait ing for my men. They are widely scattered. and it will require several hours yet to bring them together. l could not bear to think of your being here alone. I came through secret passage. never dreaming any one would be hiding in this darkness"
 He glanced down at me. where had lifted myself upon one elbow. 'sYou should have shot me. lieutenant"
 "And am very glad I did not" I returned honestly. "I hoped to cap- ture the prowler so as to vindicate myself of crime"
 "Sincerely 1 wish you might have proved SO fortunate. for I am far from being convinced myself that you are capable of such deed. My little Jean. here. must possess great conf dence in you."
 .I do." she broke in earnestly. T would stake my life upon his inno- cence"
 "You shall have the benefit of the doubt. Lieutenant King" said Big Don ald somewhat sterniy. flor have req son to trust this young iady's judg- ment. However. as a mere military precaution I must ask for your weap- ons."
 An instant I hesitated, feeling that now he had come my pledge to Miss Denslow had been fulfilled; that any opportunity to escape was justly mine. This giant might be able to crush me in his arms, yet with weapons in our hands we stood on even ground, and I was tempted to fight 1t out then and there. He read the temptation in my eyes, his lips smiling, his hand extend edsfor my revolvers. What fine look ing fellow he was, his face representa- tive of character, strong, manly, his entire bearing indicative of force and cool, resourceful courage. The light of the lamp revealed his clearly chis- eled features and the threads of gray In his hair. Suddenly. in flash, there came to me a strange thought-here was a man to be loved. to be loved of woman. Dear Jean," he had called her-"dear Jean." The words seemed to burn me as I recalled them. He seemed the older. twenty years or more. But what of that?
 Hesitating still saw her leaning for ward, eagerly watching our faces, pug xled by our attitude. Her hand touch ed his sleeve, the light of the lamp giimmering in her hair, her eyes full of zip of my fingers on the revolver butt tightening. It seemed to me under stood. 1t was Donald, not Calvert Dunn, who stood between us.
 Please. gentlemen. do not quarrel, at least not here, not now. See. l stand between you.'
 Lieutenant King is very slow in de- livering his weapons" said Donald quietly. ''He has perhaps forgotten am. the victor here"
 The words were plainly threat, but it was the look in her eyes that decid- ed me.
 sYou overpowered me with your strength" I returned coldly, "but the only one have surrendered to in this house is Miss Denslow. I give her my weapons, not you"
 "Oh, as you please" his lips still smiling. "Jean, dear. disarm the fel low and let us get at other work"
 "Jean, dear!' The words stung, they were so coolly uttered, so redolent of endearment, yet as she held out her hands I placed my revolvers in them. noting the flush upon her clear cheek, the sudden drooping of lashes over her