The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-02-01

 wish him to have it?'
 "And you knew all this?'' said Cathewe into the ear of the woman he loved.
 Thinly the word came through her lips. "Yes"
 Cathewe's chin sank into his collar. and he stared at the crumbs on the cloth
 But what meant this argument with the drivers?'' asked CoIdfeld.
 "Yes. I had forgotten that" supple mented the sailor.
 "On the way hack to CarRhese we should have been stopped We were to be quietly but effectively suppressed till our Napoleon set sail for Mar scilles.' M. Ferraud bowed He had no more to add.
 The admirHl shook his head. He had come to Corsica as one might go to picnic. and here he had almost tOppled over into gulf!
 The significance Of the swift glance which was exchanged between NJ. Fer raudaand Fitzgerald was not translat- able to Laura, who alone caught 1t in its transit An idea took possession of her. but this idea had nothing to do with the glance. which she forgot al-
 
 disposition to walk down by the cem- etery. to take a final view of the sea before it melted into the sky. what was more natural than that Fitzgerald should follow her? They walked on in the peace of twilight. unmindful of the curiosity of the villagers or of the play of children about their feet. The two were strangely silent. but to him it seemed that she must presently hear the thunder of his insurgent heart. At length she paused. gazing toward the sea. upon which the purples of night were rapidly 6eet.ening.
 And if Lad not made that wager" he said. following aloud his train of thought.
 And if I had not bought that statu- etter'. picking up the thread. If she had laughed nothing might have hap pened. But her voice was low and sweet and ruminating.
 The dam of his reserve broke. and the great current of life rushed over his lips. to happiness or to misery, whichever 1t was 10 be.
 "I love you. and l can no more help telling you than I can help breathing. I have tried not to speak. have so little to offer. l have been lonely so
 
 but I've done it." He ceased. terrified. His voice had diminished down to mere whisper and finally refused to work at all.
 Still she stared out to sea.
 He found his voice again "So there isn't any hope? There is some one elseT' He was very miserable.
 Had there been should have stop ped you at once"
 ''But"-
 'Do you wish more definite an- swer. John?' And only then did she turn her head. :; 'Yesr' his courage coming back full and strong. 'I want you to tell me you love me and while my arms are round you like this May kiss yOu?" "No other man save my father shall"
 'Ah. I haven't done anything to de serve this!''
 ''NoY'
 'T'm not even a third rate hero"
 ''No?' with gentle raiIlery.
 "Say you love me"
 "Amo. anna. amiamo"-
 "'In English I have never heard 1t in English "so.'' pushing back from him. you have heard it in Italian?"
 Laura. I didn't mean that There was never any one else. Say it."
 So she said it softly. She repeated 1t as though the utterance was as sweet to her lips as it was to his ears. And then, for the first time. she be- came supine in his arms. With his cheek touching the hair on her brow they together watched. but did not see the final conquest of the day.
 ''And I have had the courage to ask you to be my wife?' It was wonder fuI. T Napoleon. his hunted great-grand- son. the treasure. all these had ceased to exist
 ''John. when you lay in the corridor the other night and I thought you were dying I kissed you" Her arm frightened as did his. "WilI you prom tse never to tell if I confess secret2'' ''I promise" il "You never would have had the courage to propose if I hadn't deliber- ately brought you here for that pur- pose. It was I who proposed to you" ''I'm afraid I don't quite get that" doubtfully. Then. we'll let the subject rest where it is. You might bring it up in after years" Her laughter was happy He raised his eyes reverently toward heaven. She would never know that she had stood in danger. ''But your father!'' with a note of sudden alarm. And all the worldly sides to the dream burst upon him.
 Father is only the company John" And so the admiral himself admitted when. an hour later. Fitzgerald put the affair before him briefly and frankly. ''It is all her concern. my son. and only part of mine. My part is to see that you keep in order. don't know: l rather expected it. Of course,' said the admiral, shifting his cigar. there's a business end to it. I'm rich man, but Laura isn't worth a cent-in mon- ey Young men generally get the