The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1911-01-21
THE COMPACT
The Story Of An
Unrecorded Conspiracy
In South Africa
by
RIDGWELL CULLOM
Author Of
"The Watchers of the Plains," 'sThe
ht-Riders," etc.

"The Watchers of the Plains," 'sThe
Mght-Riders," etc.
Continued from Page 11.)
'Then why, in"
Were coming back to it all
again." Mary said YEARLY. IT told
you months ago that-that am Fer
mans wife. I know that our &C
quaintance Is harmless enough; there
is nothing wrong In it; but-had we
never been anything to each other it
would have been different; as it is,
can only repeat what have said
to you before-you must go-keep
away"
There was a. pause. Mary bent
over her work again. She felt that
she must not let him draw her into
argument. His persistence was driv-
ing her to desperation, and yet she
could not find it in her heart to be
more harsh with him. After all, his
love for her was prompting him; and,
in spite Of herself and her decision,
she was far too womanly not to be
affected by it. However, she was
quite determined.
It was Guy who broke the silence
at last, and he did 50 in voice that
was at once disarming in it's soft
ness.
Forgive me, Mary. if I bother you;
but must have this matter out with
you. Try and remember that all I
have to say isis prompted by-we'll
leave that"-as the girl raised her
head, and her eyes shot a warning
at him. 'T do not want to be shut
away from you for ever. I cannot
bear that-if there were sound rea-
son, for your sake perhaps I could.
But there is no sound reason. I know
what is in your mind. You are
thinking Of the possibility Of arous-
ing Ferman's jealousy. under
stand. You think there might be
trouble, even bloodshed, if such were
the case. You cannot even guess Mt
what might happen besides, and so
you fear the danger. Perhaps you
are right. If we should arouse his
jealousy there is no telling, in a man
Of his disposition, what might hap
pen. But we couldn't do that
Mary's work had fallen into her
lap. and her eyes were upon his face.
a'I-don't understand you"
The man smiled to himself, while
his dark face remained serious.
'Are you blind, Molly? What has
come to you?" he went on, in a toue
50 gentle. so persuasive. ''You mar
ried him without any love. The love
was all his. This was made plain
enough to me long ago. What your
feelings are towards him now I am
not foolish enough to pretend to
fathom. But his must be patent to
every looker-on. You have killed
his love. How, do not know, but
the fact remains. It is plain to ev-
erybody. Even here, in our own lit
tie community, we have our gossips
and onlookers. They have all seen
it, as must everybody with two live
eyes in their heads. But know In
another way. Why, what happen
ed tonight should speak to you fof
itself. Was it necessary for him to
go down to get the letters at the
store?"
mo"
"Tel inches been away from
home-when did he return
"Just before suppef."
Ibid he say he intended to go for
the letters?''
seNo."
"Does he usually go for them?"
seNo."
Guy raised an expressive hand.
eff he had the least concern for
you in his mind, would he have left
you with me? Would a man whose
jealousy could be aroused leave his
wife with a possible rival? No.
Molly. Ferman's love is dead"
Guy shook his head ominously.
Mary was trying to follow his rea-
soning, but could not do so.
ST don't see your point" she said
at last. TN all probability Ferman
does not look on you as possible
rival. Why should he? When 1
married him I did not tell him of
you"
Guy appeared to realize that he
had made blunder. AS though he
had forgotten that she did not know