The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1911-04-24
(Coutinued.)

They seem to think it has a great
deal" said Sophia, somewhat defiant
". But it is most unpleasant t.
have 70 mention such thing. Shall
We agree not to pursue the subject?
"Of course" said Mrs. Bardsiey
irritahly, IF things are being said of
lem. I had better know what they
are"
We'll" said Sophia resignediy,
don't blame me. / didn't set the
tale anoat. But of course you know
that. about six months ago-no its
more than that-Mr. James Bardsley
was always at Wishfield, and going
about with Father Conroy."
Pride caused Aunt Emma to as
sent But it was a lie. She did not
know that much of the young man
who was all she had to love In the
world until Vernon came. What of
it?' she asked coldly.
1T seems he began to drop out of
going there when Mr.. Trent brought
home his red-haired wife. At least,
everybody put it down to that, for
there is no doubt that he has been
about with Mrs. Trent all the winter.
But it appears there was another at
traction"
.Indeed?"
Yes Trent's head groom is a
man called Fletcher and he has
sister Olive, very pretty girl, who
lives with his mother at Wishfeld.
That is, she was in service at the Hill
liers', but left suddenly. About a
month ago. she-she-
please say what you mean. Sophia
DO you wish me to understand that
she got into trouble?"
Sophia signified q shocked assent.
ION what grounds is Jem accused
OF having anything to do with her
nisfortune?"
well, the father, whoever it is, has
sent the girl a handsome allowance;
so that shows he is gentleman. 1t
j. thought that Mr.. James Bardsley's
pursuit of Mrs. Trent was just blind
And few days after the children
were born
--rhe children, Sophia?
There were two"
1.-Two"
Yes And few days after their
birth he was seen in the village, the
first time for months-the very day
the money came"
Then" Mrs. Bardsley found diff
ficuity in articulating. then the girl
will not give the name?"
No
And on this evidence people are
saying that this is Jem's doing?"
''They say everybody in Wishfield
thinks so.''
If Sophia had hoped to create an
impression by her news, she assuredly
had her wish. Mrs. Bardsley was
evidently moved-more so than the
eager spinster remembered to have
seen her. But with characteristic
strength she gathered herself togeth-
er; and all she said was
1T seems slight enough evidence
upon which to condemn a man on
such = heavy charge"
oh" said Sophia, "but there il
more than that. He is known to
have spoken to the girl. and to have
told her brother that she was very
pretty. 1 dare say" added Sophia,
tossing the erring member of her own
sex to the lions with the unconcern OF
the early Victorian virtuous woman
IT dare say she was a forward MINK
and the young man seems to have be-
haved as we'll as he could under the
regrettable circumstances"
Mrs. Bardsley began to pour out
tea with q heart SO over-charged that
she would have liked TO hasten to her
own chamber and weep-a thing she
had not done for years.
IL waS a curious thing that Miles's
light vo-ds, dropped that morning
without malicious intent-evidentiy in
the full belief that she knew of Jern's
fiirtations-had a double and also a
contradictory effect They made /,
easier for her to believe the more SER
fous charge against her nephew. They
also made it easier for her to judge
him mercifully.
Had Sophia come to her but yester-
day with this tale she would have an.
griiy denied il, while saying to her
own heart that if Jem had done it.
he was a depraved and worthless
young wretch. To-day, though she
refused aloud to believe the charge
she yet felt it comprehensive. She
saw Jem lonely, friendless, living
from day TO day with all that part OF
his life which is the heritage of youth
lar from him.
She felt a hot anger. a singing
shame: but for herself, far more thar
for him. It was her fault, she told
herself, that this had come to pass
She had been unsympathetic, narrow
s:upid-oh. stupid beyond Belief Had
TOM lived. he might have bsan Z
..->-might have shown her tha
young men must be put in monastet
ries il they are to live celibate. She
passed from one extreme to the 9th.