The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-08-12


 that she was exposing hitherto un- known incentive It was not com fortable awakening. And you cham Sion me to that extent?" he cried joy ously. She nodded bravely and went on.
 'So here I am,' she said, in conclu- sion T really could not have walked to Ridgely tonight, could I?'
 ''I should say not.''
 "And there was really nowhere else Co come but here?' dubiously.
 ''See that light over there up the mountain?'' he asked, leadiMg her to a window. "Old man Grimes and his wife live up there. They keep light burning all night to scare Renwood's 8 ghost away. By love, the storm will be upon us in a minute. I thought it had blown around us." The roll of thunder came up the valley. Thank heaven you're safe indoors. Let them pursue if they like. I'll hide you if they come, and the servants are close mouthed."
 '"I don't like the way you put it, MT. Shaw"
 Hello, hello-the housev came a shout from the wind ridden night out side. Two hearts inside stopped beat ing for a second or two. She caught her breath sharply as she clasped his arm.
 ''They are after mev' she gasped. ''They must not find you here. Real l ly, Miss Drake, mean it. They would 1 not understand Come with me. Go down this hall quickly. It leads to the garden back of the house. There's a 1 gun room at the end of the hall. Go in there, to your right. Here, take this! It's an electric saddle lantern. 1I'll head these fellows of. They shan't find you. Don't be alarmed" She sped down the narrow hall, and he, taking time to slip into long dressing coat, stepped out upon the l porch in response to the now prolong. l ed and impatient shouts.
 Who's there?s he shouted. The light from the windows revealed several horsemen in the roadway.
 tFriends," came back through the wind. Let us in out of the storm. It's a terror.''
 q don't know you" There was a shout of laughter and some profanity. I "Oh. yes you do, MT. Shaw. Open up and let us in. It's Dave Rank and Ed Hunter. We can't make the cabin before the rain.'' Shaw could see their faces now and then by the Hash ] es of lightning, and he recognized the two woodslnen, who doubtless had been visiting sweethearts up toward Ridgely.
 .Take your horses to the stable. boys I and come in," he called, laughing heartily. Then he hurried off to the gun room. He passed Mrs. Ulrich com issg downstairs yawning prodigiously He called to her to wait for him in the library:
 There was no one in the gun room The door leading to the back porcI was open. With an exclamation he leaped outside and looked about him. Good heavens!" he cried, stagger ing back.
 Far off in the night, a hundred yards or more up the road. leading to Grimes cabin be saw. the webbing, uncertain flicker of a light vending its way nks will-o' o'-the-wisp through the night Without a moments hesitation and with something strangely like an oath , he rushed into the house, almost up setting the housekeeper in his haste.
 .''visitors outside. Make em com fortable, Back soon" he jerked ou as he changed his coat with small re spect for his injured arm. Then h' clutched couple of raincoats from th, rack and flew out of the back door likl man suddenly gone mad.