The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-05-15

would not-or perhaps he could not share her with me. Sooner thar that, he made up his mind to gC away from her-to leave her alone in her old age, the one thing she fears and dreads-without a man fr the house. He does not know how much she feels it. She is not one tc show her affection, especially to any body of the opposite sex. Jem has no idea how she loves him. If he had, I believe he would have made 8 greater effort. But her heart i; breaking. And l can't stand that. ] am an interloper; I belong to an. other place. My duty is plain: ] must go back, where I came from When I started from Golden Ridge I thought I loved Lionel There were times when I was first here, and Jen was unkind, when I had had attacks of hohesickness, and wished that ] were back there with him. When l get home, those feelings will revive; ! II. look back upon all that has happen ed here, as if it were unreal By degrees I shall forget. There is no- thing else for me to do. Jem is ac- tually up in Scotland at this mo- ment, looking at Dunglen-Lord Bun bury has offered him the agency. But if he knows that I am going to marry Lionel and go right away. he will not be so cruel as to leave her all alone. Now, can't you see that ] have no other course?"
 Father Conroy nodded his head several times. as if in approval. He gazed upon the girl with an air ot pleasure and satisfaction which she thought downright unkind. '.Ver- non,' he said, "I admit that you are right, and I am wrong. You have convinced me-"
 The last hope died.
 She did not move, but sat, seeing the wind-buffeted flower border through a mist of tears she dare not shed.
 .There is one thing that you say which has my hearty concurrence,' he went on thoughtfully. You say if he knows I gather, then. that Jem does not at present know that you mean to go and leave the coast clear for him?"
 s'No, of course not"
 s'Then do I understand that you mean to tell him?"
 '1 think perhaps I ought"
 "I am quite sure that you ought There should be no danger of your making this sacrifice-for I gather that it is 8 sacrifice-in vain."
 "Oh no!' she cried, her cheeks blanching. That would be horrible
 'I agree with you: it would. Be- fore writing to Gladwyn, think you should see Jem, tell him that it is your intention to go away, and urge him to stay with Mrs. Bardsley Were he to accept the agency, and you to retire to Vancouver, the poor lady would be indeed bereft"
 Vernon forgot to weep, SO strucs was she by this view.
 Yes yes" unused the Father, ''it is 8tnoble idea. Sacrifice is great thing. Vernon, though a hard one. ] myself feel sure that Gladwyn will be content to marry you upon youl own terms-I mean, you will not de- ceive him-not pretend to be in love with him?'
 "Oh no, of course not!'
 Then it seems, as you say, the best course for all concerned. You dc not think that your departure will affect Mrs. Bardsley?"
 'Yes, to be truthful, I think it will I feel sure she would have liked te keep us both. But when it is ques- tion of one or the other, I know Jem comes first. as is only natural. She has had him from boyhood; she de bends upon him for so much. These few days, since he has been gone, ii has been pitiful to see her."
 MT. Conroy took out his watch and glanced at it.
 'I suppose you have never asked Jem how it is that he is so discredit- ably jealous?'
 Gro Be continued.)