The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-06-01

1.-THE RING, GENTLEMEN"
 to everybody there concerned. Some had seen and all had heard of young Cumberlands desperate interruption of the funeral and the way his hand had invaded the flowers which the When at last Arthur looked up it was with a dazed air and an almost humble mien.
 Providence has me this time," he muttered. T don't understand these mysteries. You will have to deal with them as you think best"
 Turning away, he made for the door. There was in his manner desperation approaching to bravado, but no man made the least effort to detain him. Not till he was we'll out of the room did any one move; then the district at torney raised his finger, and Arthur Cumberland did not ride back to his home alone.
 CHAPTER XIV.
 RANELAGH RESUMES HIS STORY.
 
 They were merciful days to me
 since I was far too weak for
 thought. Then there came a period of conscious rest, then renewed interest in life and my own fate and reputation. What had happened dur ing this interval?
 I had confused memory of having seen Clifton's face at my bedside, but was sure that no words had passed between us. When would he come again? When should hear about Car mel and whether she were yet alive or merciftllly dead, like her sister? I might read the papers, but they had been carefully kept from me. Not one was in sight. The nurse would un- doubtedly give me the information I desired; but, kind as she had been, I dreaded to consult a stranger about matters which involved my very exist ence and every remaining hope.
 I would risk one question, but no more. I would ask about the inquest. Had it been held? If she said yes-ah, + she said yes!-I should know that Carmel was dead, and the news, com ing thus, would kill me. So asked nothing and was lying in sufficiently feverish condition when the doctor came in, saw my state and, thinking to cheer me up, remarked blandly:
 You are well enough this morning to hear good news. Do you recognize the room you are in?"
 l.
 Hardly. You are in one of MT. O'Hagen's own rooms" (Mr. O'Hagen was the head keeper) You are de tained now simply as a witness"
 I was struck to the heart, terrified in an instant.
 "What? Why? What has hap pened" questioned rapidly, half starting up, then falling back on my pillow under his astonished eye.
 Nothing" he parried, seeing his mis- take and resorting to the soothing process.
 "Send for Mir. Clifton," said. Hes my friend; can better bear
 Here he is," said the doctor as the door softly opened under the nurses careful hand.
 With gesture to the nurse the doc tor tiptoed out, muttering to Clifton as he passed some word of warning or casual instruc ion. The nurse fol lowed, and Clifton. coming forward, took a seat at my side. He was cheer full, but not too cheerful. and the air of slight constraint which tinged his man. ner as much as it did mine did not escape me.
 "Tell me why they have withdrawn their suspicious. I've heard nothing, read nothing, for days. I don't un- derstand this move"
 You're stanch," he began. "You have my regard, Elwood. Not many men would have stood the racket and sacrificed themselves as you have done. The fact is recognized now, and your motive''- must have turned very white, for he stopped and sprang to his feet. searching for some restorative. Perhaps had better wait till to- morrow before I satisfy your curi- osity," said he. And leave me to imagine all sorts of horrors? No, Tell me at once. Is -is-has anything happened at the Cumberlands' "Yes. What you feared has hap pened. No, no; Carmel is not dead. She | is holding her own-just holding it. but that is something in one so young l and naturally healthy" could see that I baf1ed him. It | could not be helped. did not dare to | utter the question with which my whole soul was full I could only look | my entreaty. He misunderstood it, as 1 was natural enough.