The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-03-31
(Continued.l
BY CHARLES GARVICE
Author of "Just a Girl" s'Diana and Destiny 'In Wolfs sClothing," etc.
Copyright, 1909 By George H. Doran Company

have laughed up their wings as the sportsmen who had paid a large sum for the privilege of shooting them walked through the woods with noth- ing more fatal than a walking-stick or roll of paper in his hand, and seemed to have lost all desire of using a gun.
 On this particular evening the three persons before mentioned had got through their fish, and Vane was Tn the middle of an elephant story. to which Evelyn was listening with rapr attention, when the butler brought telegram to Sir Reginald. Sir Regi- nald read it, frowned, and said:
 MT. Lexham and MT. Dexter Reece are coming down by the evening train Evelyn
 "Oh, I am glad.' said Evelyn. She rave some instructions to Steele, the butler. then asked, why are they coming so suddenly and unexpectedly, Cather?''
 'I don't know" he said indifferent ty. Important business, the telegram says. You'll send the carriage, Steele; and you'd better have some dinner prepared"
 You don't know MT. Reece, do you?" Evelyn asked Vane. He iS such a pleasant, agreeable man. He has been down here several times lately"
 NO; haven't that pleasure" re- piled vane: and his tone did not indi- cate any overwhelming desire to make the gentleman's acquaintance. He realised at that moment that he had begun to regard this sweet girl with a proprietorial sense, and he was con- scious of faint feeling of alarm in connection with this pleasant and agreeable" gentleman, who was on the point of arriving. The elephant story was curtailed. all three of them grew rather silent; and presently, when they heard the sound of the carriage which was bringing the two visitors. vane, muttering that he would get out of the way, begged per- mission to accompany Evelyn to the drawing-room.
 The permission was readily grant ed; for it may be whispered that Evelyn was only too glad to have his company; but after a. few minutes, spent by yane in staring rather mood fly at the fire, she abandoned her eff for+v of copvarca+iou and said gently.
 'Is anything the matter?"
 -Yes," he said in his brusque way, and turning to her with a flush on his face and something in his eyes which swiftly brought the colour to her cheeks; I'm feeling like a bear with n sore head. I'm jealous. I've had you all to myself these last few weeks; and. like a spoilt child, I hate the thought of another fellow coming 3n the scene; and his being agreeable and pleasant makes it all the worse for me. You know what is the mat ter with me, I suppose? I love you. It's news to you, dare say; but I've known it for a long time-ever since 4 day. I love you, and I wish you'd put me out of my misery at once. I'm a rough sort of beast and 8 poor hand at wooing; but, as I say, love you, and I shall go on loving you till the end of the chapter. Now. what do you say? I've startled you"
 Perhaps Evelyn was not so startled as he imagined; at any rate, she did not look so very shocked, as she raised her eyes to his; and there was something in them which caused him to catch her to him, with an ejacuia- ation of wonder and of joy; and he held her while they exchanged those condolences, those loving queries which persons in their condition ap- pear to find it absolutely necessary to express; and he only released her when the footman appeared with the tea-tray Immediately he had gone they sat very close to each other on the sofa, while Evelyn accomplished the difficult task of pouring out tea with her left hand.
 Meanwhile, as interesting and mo- mentous a scene was being enacted in the library, in which Sir Reginald, Lexham, and Reece were closeted. Sir Reginald leant back in his chair, his chin held in his hand, his sonrbre eyes fixed on the face of MT. Lexham, HSho was speaking with intense gray ity and suppressed excitement.
 MT. Reece has come to you with an extraordinary story, statement and proposal, Sir Reginald,' he said. Slancing at Dexter Reece. who leant back ir his chair, his eyes oowncast, his hands clasped round his knee. His face was as grave as MT. Lex hams, and he appeared perfectly self possessed, as if he were not aware of the thinness and fragility of the ice on which he was skating. "It con- cerns the ruby and the murder of Sir Mortimer. It is an astounding story But think it would be better if I left MT Reece to tell it.''
 Dexter Reece looked up, and made a slight inclination of his head; in a quiet. business-like way he said: