The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-01-31


leave me. I have no desire to pro-
long this interview" Mary responded,
unmoved She was not without some
feeling of alarm, but she had no in
tention of showing it. The mans
manner was so unusual, so strange,
that she wondered if the sun had
affected him.
Just for a moment an angry flush
tinged Guys cheeks and brow; then
he proceeded in a tone that was not
without brutality.
HAS it ever occurred to you that
there is an understanding between
your husband and me? mean
about you. Has it ever occurred TO
you that your husband is aware that
we were once lovers, that I love you
and has, in consequence, sanctioned
my addresses to you, his wife?''
For a second Mary's heart seemed
to stand STILL Then swift anger rose.
and violent words sprang to her lips:
her bosom heaved with passionate
resentment.
How dare you come to me with
such a. lie? Leave this place at
once will not listen to you. Oh,
you are a coward-a coward!"
She turned to pass into the hut,
but Guy reached out and caught her
by the arm. She flung him off. but
paused and turned back to him with
her face scarlet with fury.
'How dare you!" she cried again.
But Der anger choked her. She could
say no more.
Dare? A man will even dare a
woman's anger, scorn, anything you
like, when death stares him in the
face. That is why I have come 10
you tonight. You shall listen to me.
1t is you who have placed my life
in jeopardy. And it is you who must
am not going to be trifled with"
Then, as the woman made no fur
Their effort to go, he went on more
quietly. .sHear me out; then you will
Mary suddenly sat down. All her
anger had abruptly died out. There
was a ring of truth in the mans
words, and his manner carried con-
viction. Yes; she would hear him
out
g---do on.' she said, trying to APP
pear Indifferent "Make your story
| as short as possible. am not in
of lies you may choose to invent"
81 am not here to lie to you. but
to tell you only that which is gospel
truth. Be patient, and will quickly
He paused to gather himself for
the task. Now he looked straight
into the beautiful grey eyes. His
thoughts moved quickly, but they
were not of the beauty he was gaz-
ing upon. 1t was how best to tell
his story. At last he began. -
Mary" he said, and there was an
Intentional tenderness in his voice as
he pronounced her name, 1--WE were
once lovers, and, for that reason, to-
morrow I have to die"
/ Mary's eyes were still on his face,
and his dramatic announcement
brought forth frosty, incredulous
smile. Her lips curled scornfully.
IF you have only come to make
game OF me you might have saved
yourself the trouble" she said coldiy.
"You are a more foolish fellow than
believed"
81 am in deadly earnest" he said,
with shake of the head. What !
say is true. Because I was once
your lover, and am such no longer,
have to die tomorrow-at noon. Il
| is your husbands sentence
The woman suddenly leaned for
ward. The dusk was deepening. and
it was hard to see the dark face be-
fore her.
| go on she cried; "tell me ALL
and tell it quickly And there was
no mistaking her agitation. He be-
held the effect ne had made with
considerable triumph.
The darkness was upon them now;
yet there was still sufficient of the
sunlight flush in the western sky to
reveal the expression of the girls
face. Guy saw two shining eyes
hard and glittering. He saw a tight
! ly-conpressed mouth, and two cheeks
as white and cold as marble. He saw
that her graciously rounded bosom
was heaving. But she sat very still
Her hands were locked in her lap
and he could see that they field each
other in what must have been ar
almost painful grip.
i 'I should like to give you hi;
words, but it would take too long,
he said gloomily; they are indelibl;
! fixed on my memory
Never mind about the words
| Mary's interruption came sharply
"Well, he came to me one night ri
the Roof Grond and charged me with
being your lover" Mary drew in 6
\ deep breath as he made the an
nouncement. HE told me he hat
proof, and denial was useless. He
had come there, he said, to enforce