The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-08-08

Bazelhursts land when he was shot. It was not until after that that I tres passed, if you are pleased to call it such. But I was unarmed, hang the luckw The way he said it conveyed much to her understanding.
 "Tell me, please"
 "I've had murder in my heart for half an hour, Miss Drake Somehow you soothe me-" He sat down on the log again and leaned his head upon his hand. With his eyes upon the dead dog he went on, controlling his anger with an effort: ''I rode down the river road this morning for change. intend fnG to go up later on to our trysting place through the woods She heard him call it a rysting place without a thought of resentment or shame. ''When came to the log there stop ped, but Bcnaparte, lawlesS old chap, kept on. I paid no attention to him, for I was thinking of -of something else. He had raced around in the for bidden underbrush for some time be- fore I heard the report of gun near at hand. The dog actually screamed like human being. saw him leap mp from the ground and then roll over. Of course, I-well, trespassed. With out thinking of my own safety flew to where the dog was lying. He look ed up into my face and whined just as he died. I don't remember how got off the horse The next knew I was rushing blfndly into the brush toward place where saw smoke cursfng like a f1end. Then came the second shot and the stinging in my arm. It brought ne to my senses. stopped and mo- ment later I saw Q man running down along the bank of the stream I-oh, well, there isn't any more to tell. I don't know who fired the shots. I couldn't see his face"
 Tt was Tompkins,' she cried. q know it was. He had his orders'' but she checked herself in confusion.
 "His orders? Do you, mean to say Miss Drake, did your brother instruct him to kill me?' She quailed beneath his look.
 ''I--I can't say anything more about it, Mir. Shawl she fnurmured, so pit eously that he was touched. For a seemingly internainab1e length of time his hard eyes looked inte hers, and then they softened.
 T understand" ]" he said simply. .'You cannot talk about it. I'll not ask any questions
 s'My brother is weak in her hands, 2 she managed to say in attenuation.
 After all, it isn't.a pleasant subject If you don't mind we'll let it drop that is, between you and me, Miss Drake I hope the war won't break off our"-
 Don't suggest it, please. I'd rather you wouldn't. We are friends, after all thought dt was playing at war, and I can't tell you how shocked I am"
 Poor old Bonaparte!' was .all he said in reply. She stopped and laid her hand on the fast chilling coat of the dog. There were tears in her eyes as she arose and turned away. moving to- ward her horse. Shaw deliberately lifted the dead animal into his arms and strode off toward his own land. She followed after moment of inde- cision, leading the horse. Across the line he went and up the side of the knoll to his right Att the foot of a great trees he tenderly deposited his burden. Then he turned to find her al most beside him. sssYou won't mind my coming over here, will you?" she asked softly. He reached out and clasped her hand thoughtlessly with his blood covered fingers. It was not until long after ward that she discovered his blood upon the hand from which she had drawn her riding glove.
 You are always welcome" he said 1T am going to bury him here this aft ernoon. No; please don't come. I'll bring the men down to help me. sup bounder over at your place. Do you remember the challenge you gave me yesterday? You dared me to come over the line as far into Bazelhurst land as you had come into mine We'll, dared last night"
 You dared? You came?'
 s'Yes, and I went farther than you have gone, because thought it was play, comedy, fun. I even sat upon your gallery just outside the billiard room-and smoked two cigarettes. You'll find the stubs on the porch rail- ing if he. ladyship's servants are not too exemplary" She was looking at him in. wide eyed unbelief T was there when you came out on the lawn with fha Frenchnan 'ss szsss
 Did you hear what he was what we were saying P she asked nerTously and going pale.
 A''No. was not eavesdropping. Be- sides, you returned to the house very abruptly, if you remember"
 'tYes, I remember" she said, a sigh of relief accompanying the warm glow that came to her cheek. But were you not afraid Ssof being discovered? :? How imprudent of you!'
 'It was a bit risky, but rather en- joyed it. The count spoke to me as left the place. It was dark, and he mistook me for one of your party. couldn't wait to see if you returned to renew the tete-a-tete"-
 II did not return" she said. It was his turn to be relieved.
 CHAPTER W.
 u~ NAfL:Ak 1Lo Tn,,&n T,.an-~.n.