The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-11-21
CContinued.)


 waste time since I cannot divide my BtRkes,'' smiled the younger gentleman. Again, with & half growl, Dunwody threw down his cards, face upward. His teeth were clinched, all his mus r7es set. all his attitude strained, tense.
 ssYeu have won, my dear senator. kai5sd to improve my, four cards. which. fE is true, were of one color. but which ! regret to say still remain of the one sosor and of no better compdny."
 ~Tt fg even!' exclaimed Dunwody. pCuusr'
 The cards went around once more, Knd once more the officer asked for a s2ngHe card Once again he lost.
 Duuwody drew back with a deep mi9h. 'Lo0&," he said: -tof my three cards two were what wanted-aces, mcss. man-four of theml By every Mnkgm have won. It's fate.''
 AAh. how fortune has run against me eodayl And so here it is! I write her aame for you once more-this time her real name, so far as any in Amerf- Ea know ft-thus, Josephine, countess &t- Auhan, of France, of Hungary, of America, abolftionist, visionary, fire Brand There then, though think you will find the matter of taking posses mam somewhat difficult to compass. so @aF as am concerned, she is. with all my heart, yours to have and to hold if you can My duty to her is over. Yours begins, hope"
 s<But after this what will be your p1ansT asked Dunwody.
 T purpose leaving the boat at the first suitable stop, not farther down than Louisville, at least. Perhaps Cin- eznnad would be yet better. By the fortunes of war you will, therefore, stand in my stead. I've changed my mind suddenly. I told the young lady that we would continue on together, even beyond Cairo. But now-well, to the victor, as MT. Marcy has said, be- long the spoils.y
 The other made no answer. He only stood to his full height and stretched out his great arms. He seemed fig ure come down unchanged from some savage day.
 Alone in her stateroom all these hours, Josephine St. Auban had abun- dant time to reflect upon the singular nature of her situa tion. At first, and very naturally, she was disposed to seek the protection of the boats off cers, but a second thought convinced her of the Hnwisdom of that course As to this stranger, this stalwart man of the west, she had appealed to him, and he had made no sign. She had no friend, no counselor. A feeling of in- efficiency, of smallness and helpless l ness swept over her. She was prisoner to her own good fame. She dared not declare herself. She dared not cry out for help. None would believe her story.
 1t was while still in this frame of mind that on the day following there came to her a messenger bearing the card of Warville Dunwody. She gazed at 1t for some moments undecided, de batfng- Then she set out to meet the 7 sender of the card.
 There was no occupant of the saloon excepting one, who rose as she entered hesftating. On the instant a sudden change swept over Dunwody's face. Was it at first assuredness it had borne7 4T am glad that you have thus honored me- he said simply. 'eCarlisle left the boat last night
 Left the boat-he is gone? Why he sent me no word, and thought-at least he said''-
 He has, madam, like Catiline, evad- ed, broken forth, absconded. But as to leaving word for you he was not quite go heartIess as all that. I have a message for you-''
 With a word craving permission she opened the message It was brief:
 My Dear Countess-You will be glad to know that so far your late jailer is concerned your captivity is at end. am leaving the boat at the next stop, and since that falls in the nighttime will not disturb you Senator Dunwody has kind 1y consented to act your guardian in my stead, and from your message to him judge that in any case you would prefer hfs care to mine
 My dear countess, they are not merely idle words when I say to you that you have won my respect and admiration. Be on your guard and allow me to advise you in the interest of yourself and others to remain silent Your obliged and dutifui servant. -
 No reasons were urged, no apologies offered Obviously the signature was in such circumstances better omitted The effect of this note, strange to say, was to fill its recipient not with satisfaction. not even with surprise. but with sudden horror. She felt aban- doned, forsaken, not pausing to reflect that now she had only what she had demanded of her late companion-guar- dian she now hastily called him and not jailer. As to Dunwody himselfs ruthless and arrogant as was his nature, he bore no grace of imperiousness now. The silent lips and high color of the face before him he did not interpret to mean ter TOT. but contempt. In the fortunes of 1 chance he had won her. He had won | whatf Nothing, as he knew very well, beyond the opportunity to fight further for her, and under a far harder handi- i rap. handicap which he had foolish ly imposed on himself. This woman, seen face to face-yes. she was beautf- ful. desirable, coveta ble- But she was not the sort of woman he had supposed 1 her. 1t was Carlisle, after all, who l had won in the gamei
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