The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-05-14

are that it will get into the papers be- fore reach her. It is too good for MT. Meyer to keep.'
 But the story was not given out inn. melliately. MT. Meyer called g confer ence of the underwriters concerned fin the insurance of the Titan, at which 1t was decided to remain si- lent concerning the card they hoped to play and to spend g little time and money in hunting for other witnesses among the Titan's crew and in inter viewing Captain Barry to- the end of improving his memory. A few stormy meetings with this huge obstructionist convinced them of the futility of fur. ther effort in his direction, and, after finding at the end of a week that every surviving member of the Titan's port watch, as well as few of the other, had been induced to sign for Cape voy- ages or had otherwise disappeared. they decided to give the story told by Rowland to the press in the hope that publicity would avail to bring to light corroboratory evidence.
 And this story, improved upon in the repeating by Mr. Meyer to reporterss and embellished still farther by the re- porters as they wrote it up, particular Iy in the part pertaining to the polar bear, blazoned out in the great dailies of England and the continent and was cabled to New York, with the name of the steamer in which John Rowland had sailed (for his movements had been traced in the search for evi- :dence), whefe it arrived too late for publication the morning of the day on which, with MyrA on his shoulder, he stepped down the gangplank at q North river dock. As . consequence he was surrounded on the dock by en- sthnsiastic reporters, who spoke of the story and asked for details. He re- fnsed to talk, escaped them and, gAin- ing the side streets, soon found him self in crowded Broadway, where he entered the oface of the steamship company in whose employ he had been wrecked and secured from the T1tan's passenger llnt the address of Mrs. Eelfridge, the only woman saved. Then he took car up Broadway and alighted abreast of large department store.
 We're going to see mamma soon. Myra," he whispered in the pink ear. land you must go dressed up. It don't matter about me, but you're Fifth avenue baby-a little aristocrat. These old clothes won't do now." But she had forgotten the word ssmamma" and was more Interested in the exciting noise and life of the street than in the clothing she wore In the store Row land asked for and was directed to the children's department. where | young woman waited on him.
 This child has been shipwrecked," he said. "I have $1650 to spend on 1t. Give it bath, dress it's hair and use up the money on dress, shoes and stockings, underclothing and a hat" The young woman stopped and kissed the little girl from sheer sym pathy, but protested that not much could be done.
 Do your best," said Rowland 'Tt Is all 1 have. I will wait here.v
 An hour later, penniless again, he emerged from the store with. Myra. bravely dressed in her new flnery, and was stopped at the corner by q police man, who had seen him come out and who marveled doubtless at such tuxta- position of rags and ribbons.
 Whose kid ye got?s he demanded.
 II believe it is the; daughter of Mrs. Colonel Selfridge." answered Rowland haughtily-too haughtily by far.
 Ye believe, but ye don't know. Come back into the shtore, me tourist, an we'll see who ye shtole it from."
 Very well, officer; I can prove pos session" They started back, the ofyi- Ger with his hand on Rowland's col lar. and were met at the door by a party of three or four people coming out. One of this party, a young wo- man m black, uttered a piercing shrlek and sprang toward them.
 "MyraT she screamed. Give mo my baby! Give her to mer' e
 She snatched the child from Row. lands shoulder, hugged it, kissed it, cried and screamed over it; then, ob- hvious to the crowd that collected, in- confidently fafnted in the arms of an Indignant old gentleman.
 You scoundrelr' he exclaimed as he fourished his cane over Rowland's head with his free arm. We've caught you. Officer, take that man to the station house. I will follow and make charge in the name of my daughter
 Then he shtole the kid, did he?'' asked the policeman.
 Most certainly" answered the old gentleman as, with the assistance of the others. he supported the uncon- scious young mother to carriage. They all entered, little Myra scream ing for Rowland from t..~ arms of a female member of the party, and were driven on.
 Oman vii me-" uttered the officer. rapping his prisoner on the head with his club and jerking him of his feet.
 CTo Be Continued.)
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