The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-05-01


Vernon, turning from the successful
rescue of Selma from Miles keeping,
he having taken turns with Jem as
holder of the fort, saw shadow
cast through the arched doorway that
looked west, and glancing to see who
| came, was aware of Mrs. Trent stand
ing framed in the old stone archway,
the sun behind her cleaning through
She wore a lovely summer gown of
pale green, and wide hat of the
same tint. AS she stood there, her
face in shadow, the outline of her
was admirable. She seemed a wood
land enchantress, lissom and full of
mystery. The two derhounds who
followed, and pushed themselves
against her, completed the illusion.
"Oh," said she, with a little laugh,
as she caught Vernon's eye. What
are you all doing?"
Vernon, as in duty bound, went up
and shook hands. Giving chill
dren's party said she gayly. She
was in holiday mood, and not to be
damped, even by the unlimited ap-
pearance of her pet aversion
How perfectly delightful" MUIR
INJURED Laura, land what energetic
children you all are.' Her eyes
wandered round, till they rested on
Jem, at that moment engaged in bind
ing up Selma's finger. She had caught
it upon a thorn and it had bled a
good deal, and now he had torn a
strip from his handk erchief, and was
making a. bandage.
At the moment with a cry of well
come, Miles perceived Mrs. Trent's
presence and fastened to greet her.
The two hunds pressed forward, evil
IDENTIFY glad to see him, knowing him
intimately.
II am so ashamed to have inter-
rupted,' said Laura softly. cit is
perfectly inexcusable of me. But I
was doing my usual lonely constitu-
tional, and the sounds of reyelry by
day drew me to this haunted spot. I
half expected to see or hear the spir-
it's of old roysterers, long dead, feast
ing in the ancient keep"
Miles laughed, as at some fine wit
ticism. cit seems to me a fortunate
chance that you should have rambled
this way" he said. "But Miss Will
mot is hostess of our roofIess castle,
SO must leave it to her to make you
welcome
oh" said Laura lin shocked pro-
test, "of course I shouldn't think Of
intruding. I only came because am
Ewes daughter, and had to find out
what was going on
Wont you come and shake hands
with Aunt Emma? She is sitting just
outside said Vernon with all the
well, as I am here, I will not
miss the chance to pay my respects
said Laura amiabiy. Meanwhile. the
children had spied the fine dogs, and
hastily collected round them. Their
owner assured them of the perfect
sweet temper of them both, and there
were many caresses, and eager re-
quests to know if they might be fed.
Certainly said Vernon, 1--WE will
find some pieces for Them But inly
she rebelled, for she we'll knew that
if the dogs were fed, cup of tea
could hardly be refused to their mis-
tress, and her aunt would be put into
a very awkward position, since it
was certain that Lady Bun would not
wish to know Mrs. Trent. In some
disquiet she looked round, and caught
Jem's eye. She made him a, barely
perceptible motion of the head, and
he came over to her instantly
go and warn Aunt Emma" said
she, very low. Say I am bringing
the lady to say how do you do?"
Jem nodded very slightly, and loaf
ed off as if with no definite intention
Laura had seen both Vernon's aside
and his exit, though to all appear
ance busy with the children, the dogs
and Miles.
SCI expect your dogs know Miles
quite well, he goes so often to Bar
row End" observed Selma in her
high, clear young voice
'Why don't you come with him %
Laura, with her subtle smile.
Doing lessons" said Selma with a
shrug. ST am most emphatically not
my own mistress yet. 1 pity the poor
girl, whoever she is, who will have
Miles for her lord and master. He
is more like the keeper of a work.
house than anything else.''
Go Be Continued.)