The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-08-10

 with shrill glee in the heetops and the treetops tried to flee before it. A mile and half lay between her and the big cottage on the hiIlside-the most arduous part of the journey by far. She walked and ran as though pursued, scudding over the road with a swifmess that would have amazed another, but which seemed the essence of slowness to her. Thoughts of rob- bers, tramps and wild beasts assailed her with intermittent terrors, but all served to diminisb the feeling of shy ness that had been interfering with her determination.
 Past Renwood's cottage she sped, shuddering as she recognized the stone steps and path that ran up the hillside to the haunted house Ghosts, witches and hobgoblins fell into the procession of pursners, cheered on by the shriek- ing wind that grew more noisone as her feet carried her higher up the mountain. Now she was on new ed so far as this. The hill was steep and the road had black abysses out beyond its eedgs.
 She was breath1ess, half dead from fatigue and terror, when at last her feet stumbled up the broad steps lead ing to his porch. Trembling, she sank into the rustic bench that stood against the wall. The lantern clattered to her feet, and the bag with her jewels, her letter of credit and her curling irons slid to the floor behind the bench. Here was his home! What cared she for the storm?
 Even as she lay there gasping for breath, her eyes on the shadowy moon that was breaking it's way through the clouds, three men raced from the sta bles at Bazelhurst Villa, bent on ind ing the mad young person who had fled the place. Scarcely knowing what di- rection he took, Lord Bazelhurst led the way, followed by the duke and the count, all of them supplied with car riage lamps, which at any other time would have been sickening in their obtrusiveness. Except for Lady Eve lyn the rest of the house slept the sleep of ease.
 Gradually Penelope recovered from the effects of the mad race up the hill. The sputtering flame in the lantern called her into action. Clutohing it from the floor of the porch, she softly began tour of inspection, first look ing at her watch to find that it was the unholy hour of 2. Had some one yelled ''Boov' she would have swoon- ed, so tense was every nerve. Now that she was here,> what was she to do ? Her heart came to her mouth, her hand shook, but not with fear; nerv- ous smile tried to wreak disaster to the concern in her eyes.
 The house was dark and still No one was stirring. The porch was lit tered with rugs and cushions, while on a small table near the end stood a decanter, siphon and two glasses. Two? He had said he was alone ex- cept for the housekeeper and the serv- ants. A visitor, then. This was not what she had expected. Her heart sank. It wonld be hard to face the master of the house, but-a stranger Cigarette stubs met her bewildered, troubled gaze-many of them. Deduc- ton was easy out there in the lonely night. It was easy to see that Shaw and his companion sat up so late that the servants had gone to bed. Distractedly she looked about for means of shelter on the porch until daylight could abet her in the flight to % YNA frSAS>~ sure to come at no far distant time. She knew and feared the violence of the mountain rains.
 By all that's holy" came in a mans voice, low toned and uncertain, it isn't dream, after all!'
 She turned like a flash, with star tied exclamation and an instinctive movement as If to shield herself from unbidden gaze. Her lips parted, and her heart pounded like a hammer. Standing in the doorway was Randolph Shaw, his figure looming up like a monstrous, wavering genie in the un. certain light from the shaking lantern. His right hand was to his brow, and ] his eyes were wide with incredulous JOyss SAS 1Ot4]Co tAoI LAfG l04A SaCSNS of his dinner jacket hung limp and that the arm was in a white sling beneath.
 "Is it really your" he cried, his hand | going instinctively to his watch pocket as if doubting that 1t was night instead of morning.
 .'I've-I've run away from themy' she stammered "It's 2 o'clock. Don't look. Oh, I'm so sorry now! Why | did I'-
 You ran away?' he exclaimed, com, ing toward her. "Oh, it can't be a dream! You are there, aren't your She was pitiable object as she stood there, powerless to retreat, shaking like leaf. He took her by the shoul. der "Yes, it is you. Good Lord, what does it mean? What has happened How did you come here? Are you l alone?''
 Utterly, miserably alone! Oh, Mir Shawl she cried despairingly. "You l will understand, won't you?'
 Never! Never as long as live. Ii is beyond comprehension. The won derful part of it all is that I was sit. ting there dreaming of you-yes, was I heard some one out here, investigated and found you-you, of all people in the world And l was dreaming thai I held you in my arms. Yes, was I was dreaming it''--
 GtNFr Shawl You shouldn't''-