The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-05-06
(Continued.)

Certainly not. But L have three
other cases first. / will go to the
FIetchers last. Good-by.''
She ran off. It was nearly two
hours later when she went into the
cottage. Olive was ironing a very
pretty white muslin blouse, trimmed
with lace, at the kitchen table, while
the twins slumbered in their cots. She
was pale, but was regaining some OF
her girlish prettiness: and as her arm
followed the line of the muslin on
the board in a long firm sweep, her
eyes downcast upon her work. her
lashes sweeping her cheek, Vernon
couId not help admiring her and
owning that a man might feel her
charm very strongly.
She looked up with a bright smile
as Vernon entered. She had great
deal to say. She had been making
hats for the babies, and these were
exhibited and admired. She was go
ing out for a few minutes now, down
the village, and hoped Miss Wilmot
would excuse her running away, put
che had to take her chance to slip
out while they were asleep. she
went upstairs, came down again In
q very becoming hat, and unlocking
a bag from behind the door, went
out, saying that mother would be
back in very few minutes time, If
Miss wilmot wound be so kind as to
wait till she came in, 80 as not to
leave the babies alone.
Vernon sat down to wait as de-
sired beside the tiny hearth, gazing
at the sleeping child in the cot near
est her 1t was not long before OLD
Mrs. Fletcher returned, and she
brought a whiff with her which I'M
pleasantly suggested the public-house.
She greeted Vernon very amiably,
making some apology for olives be-
havior in going away and leaving her
in charge. ''But Joe Collins. he's
after her again, coming about the
place." she said. shouldn't wonder
if they got married, when the years
cut
Indeed" said Vernon, conscious CT
her deep inward distaste. She rose
to go, for old Mrs. Fletcher's CONVEX
sation was at no time a. pleasure to
her: and was putting on her gloves
when the old woman, sly1y nudgtng
her. said in q whisper:
Want to have a look at their
father? The twins father?"
Vernon stood amazed. "Has-has
Olive tod YOU
NO fear Nor it mustn't get about
as 1 know, for fear of the money
being stopped. But you're a lady, SO
it amt no matter telling you. 1t was
my son, what's groom at Barrow End,
as told me" She gripped Vernon by
the arm as she spoke, drawing her
to the little window; and there, stroll
ing down the village street, were
Father Conroy and Jem, in deep
talk.
What do you mean?" asked Yer
non stupidity.
There he is, my dear. Him walk
ing with the Father. Young Mr..
Bardsiey. It's him, right enough.
Surprised, are yer?" She chuckled
Then, as she noted that Vernon was
perfectly white, even to her lips, she
added, why there now, 1 didn't
ought to a said it to you! I was for
gettin' as he's some kind of kin to
you, my dear, Oh my, I am an old
fool" She looked scared, and joined
her hands together shakily. Lord
forgive me-" said she, but I think
1 must a had a drop too much TO
go and say a silly thing like that
Don't you pay no heed to what 1
said, my dear, 1 was just chatterin'.
Il was havin my bit O. fun with
you, my deari Don't, for any sake,
don't go and tell anybody what I
said, 1t was all my joke, my dear,
that's what it was, so don't you 60
thinkin' no different"
Vernon by this time had recovered
her seif-command. She had no Ieis-
ure at the moment to analyze the
rush of feeling which had threaten
ed to overpower her. She stood, her
eyes fixed between the geraniun
leaves in the little window upon the
broad back of Jem as he moved
away. You are quite mistaken Mrs.
Fletcher" she said. You must give
me your word, before I leave the
house, that you will never, never saw
to any other living creature, the hor-
rible thing you have said to do. Do
you know that, if I were to repeat
what you have said to Mr.. Bardsley.
he might bring an action against
your
The old woman turned gray with
fear and her limbs shook. "Oh, nv
dear, 1 promise you no word shall
pass my lips she babbled. "It was
only my son as told me. He says az
how the young man got tired of Olive
when Mrs. Trent took him up, and
turned back to her when Mrs. Trent
took up with Sir Miles Umfraville.
But I know no more of it than what
] told you, and 1 swear and vow
that no word shall pass my lips from
this day on