The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-12-09

nalI opened IDS.
 "1 don't think I shall have to try very hard. Somehow you do not seem like a Yankee at all"
 Good! am not going to seem like one-at least not in the sense you mean"
 If could have read the expression in her eyes l might have dared more. but in that darkness, her words barely audible from the cautious whisper in which we conyersed. my courage fail- ed. Already had gained much. more even than could justly have expected. She had trusted herself to me, and were to take unfair advantage of the situation it might cost me all l had already gained of her good will. tiptoed forward and peered into the library Judge Dunn sat just as be fore. his posture unchanged. his head bent forward upon the table. Sud- denly my ears caught the creak of board sounding from the top of the stairs. l was not even certain actual ly heard it. yet l stepped aside into the deeper shadow of the coat rack, every nerve a-tingle. my hand reach ing for the revolver at my belt. l could see nothing. the circular staircase mere dark blur barely dis tinguishable, yet. faint as the sounds were, l was convinced some one was stealthily descending step by step. feel- ing way cautiously through the gloom. Who could it be? What pur- pose could account for such a pres ence? felt no doubt that this was the murderer. seeking to complete his work of blood. but how could 1 meet him? With shot, ending his career with one pressure of my finger against the trigger. or should l attempt talk ing him alive. thus the more thorough ly vindicating myself of all suspicion? ! Had been older undoubtedly l would have chosen. the safer method. but as it was felt confidence in my strength and in the advantage of sur prise and was urged into recklessness by desire to prove before Jean Dens- low the extent of my courage Thrust ing the half drawn revolver back into the belt. crept forward to the foot of the stairs. crouching down within | the shadow of the parlor doorway.
 Step by step the intruder came down toward me. yet he was almost within reach of my arm before could make out even the dim smudge of his form. shapeless shadow. but looking burly enough. A step more and could see hand grasping the banister and that circular cloak hung dangling over his shoulders. With teeth set. crouching 1 for a spring at his throat. l waited until he planted both feet on the floor. his head turned away. peering into the blackness of the rear hallway. The next instant had him, my left ar1n under his chin. my right hand bind ing his cloak about him so tightly he could not lift an arm.
 | We went down together. crashing against the lower stair. but I fell on top. confident of victory. my knee crushing his chest. my hand grasping his throat. Afmoment l thought him then l knew was in the grasp of a giant. fighting for my life. Iclung to him madly. not daring to release my grip even long enough to grasp at a revolver. every muscle exerted. strain ing my utmost to hold him down. There were few tricks did not know in the wrestler's game. but this mans strength offset them. Inch by inch he forced me back. his grip fairly digging into my flesh. his arms pressing about me like iron bars. There were no blows struck. no words spOken-just the heavy breathing of desperate fight, the scuffiing of bodies. the sheer strain | of muscles exercised to their uttermost
 had the advantage of posture. he of l strength. but at last he got me. his arms crushing me as if l were in the
 grasp of bear. tearing my fingers 1 from his throat and forcing my body | over against the wall and my head to the floor. The round barrel of pistol
 was pressed into my cheek.
 A sudden gleam of light swept oyel
 us both and I caught a glimpse o1 l Jean Denslow standing white faced
 holding a lamp in one outstretchec
 hand. the other grasping at the balustel
 rail- The man gripping me turned hls
 head to glance toward her. the rays o1 | light falling upon his face. Witt | a gasp of astonishment recognized
 my antagonist to be Colonel Donald.
 Bring me something to tie the fel
 low with. Jean." he called. still crush
 ing me relentlessly down. ''The bell
 there on the coat rack will answer" | She acted like one unable to compre
 hend the situation.