The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1911-03-17
(Continued.)


mo. no." she said: but her eyes
grew bright and her face flushed.
Yes; / will" he said earnestly.
-Oh don't think I want to intrude on
you''-as she shook her head and
looked away. TIL bring them over
when your father is away. Wait!
wait!''-for she had moved on, with
troubled and rather stern counten-
ance- How shall I know?-he
frowned and pondered hurriedly.
I've got 1t, You know the bit of
cliff that runs into the bay, where /
landed? Well, tie a handkerchief
10 the tree that grows at the edge
noticed it as I came in. It's not a
proper landing-place; no one will see
IT.
NO" she said firmly. There
would be danger to you. If my faith
er found you" she smiled grave
". cit was he who taught me to
shoot"
That's all right. I'd run the risk,
though he had sworn to shoot me at
sight. But don't be afraid. i won't
land I'll just put the books at the
bottom OF the tree and-and run
away again. Comet There's no harm
In that, When you've read the books,
you can take them back to the spot
where I left them, tie the handker-
chief
She stood, her eyes downcast, her
brows drawn straight. The tempta-
ton was irresistible.
You will not land?" she said faint
ly.
''Why, I said sol" responded Rom
aid The simplicity Of his tone as
sured and convinced her; but she
did not yield-in words.
~Go nowt" she said. 'T will wait
until you have got into the boat.
shall hear
'-Signorina, signorina! Cara" came
Nita's shrin voice. :
Ronald took of his cap and held
out his hand. She put hers into 1t,
sent q glow to Ronald's heart, drove
the colour to hts face, and an eager
light to his eyes
"Good-bye," he whispered, pressing
her hand closely.
Her lips echoed the farewell; then
she said in a low voice:
You will tell no one? My father
~Sig-nor-inaI' called the girl
again.
mo. mol" he responded unthink-
ingiy. Good bye-but-I can't bear
to think that I shan't see you again."
She drew her hand from his grasp
and signed to him to go; and, with
something between a sigh and
groan. Ronald, crouching low, left
her. and cautiously made his way to
the boat
She stood. looking in the direction
he had taken and listening intently;
then she turned and went towards the
house Her face was pale, her brows
and rerraced step or two, as if she
intended following him and forbid
ding him to bring the books; but she
paused again irresolutely, and, while
she was hesitating, she heard the
sound of the oars in the rowlocks.
which her quick ears told her he had
muffled.
The colour rose to her face as she
went towards the shouting Nita She
had recognised him the moment her
eyes had rested on him; and at that
moment she had been half conscious
of a strange sensation, thrill, at his
presence. How tall and strong he
was; how handsome. And his voice
was pleasant and good to listen to:
1t reminded her of Evelyn Des-
borough's voice. Oh, not! he must
not come again-must not run tho
risk Of meeting her father. And she
would write a note and put it in the
books; just a few words telling him
to bring no more.
She made the resolution firmly; but
she sighed as she made it, and her
eyes grew wistful. 1t was like a
miracle that they should meet again.
that he should come to Tricania. But
ne would be going away presently;
and it was very unlikely that she
should ever see him again. Such
miracles could not happen often.
CHAPTER XVII