The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-11-21
| By
 EMERSON HOUGH
cspyrishs. 1910. by Emerson Housl

!
 "HEY gazed at each other, meas ured, took ground. gauging eacl i the adversary opposite. l "Do not goi'' he almost com
 manded. She was halfway to the door 1 "Why not, sir2' She wheeled on hin
 hercely.
 "Because-at least, you would not bt l so cFueP'-
 'I thank you, but am leaving the
 boat at the first opportunity. It is i'm i, possible for'us to continue an acquaint. ance formed thus irregularly.' "On the contrary, my dearr' The | ring in his voice terrified her, but his terms angered her yet more. 'sI do not in the least understand you.
 sir. I am accustomed to do quite as
 I like. And you may address me as the Countess St. Auban.''
 why should we talk of this ?'', he M torted. "Why talk to me of ountesses
 To me you are something better as you
 stand-the most beautiful girl. the most splendid human being ever saw in my life. The relations under which you have been travelling with this other gentleman were not quite clear to me. but such as they were''-
 "Do you lack courage, sir, to say that he has quitclaimed me to you? ? Am I still 8 prisoner? Are you to be my new jailer? By what right then ?''
 Dunwody had not gathered all the story of this woman and her earlier guardian any more than she herself could guess what had been Carlisle's motive or plan in leaving her to her own devices. That she was the victim simply of daring Kidnapping could net have occurred to him. What then dij she mean by talking of prisoners?
 After all, you were not that amab. uensis which you yourself claimed tc- bes I am the Countess St. Auban. It is not necessary for me to serve any man in any capacity. T beg you to forget that little note from me. was only fright ened at the thought of long journey which l did not know then might end so soon. only .fancied was in need of he1p-''
 ss.Ten me one thing he began ir- say. Who is your husband. and where is he?"
 You have no sight to ask. I must leave you now Ah. if, indeed, I had a protector here-some man of that country where men fight
 You shall not Ieave.''
 But this passes belief It is insult It is simple outragel What is being done with me? I never saw Captain Carlisle until three days ago, and you have met me once before this moment! And you are southerner, and they tell mel
 That once was enough. You shall not leave. If you did I should only fol low you"
 brigand, handed over to another brig tendance of the latter. Oh, excellent indeedi Admirable countryt'
 You despise the offer of one who would be respectful servitor."
 She mocked at him. "It is most noble of you. do not, however. compre- hend.''
 The dull flush on his face showed at least no weakening on his own part Come nowY he exclaimed impatient ly, "let us arrive at the issue To make it short, madam, I propose to take you home with me. Now, You have heard it.' He spoke tn desperate, icy calm.
 ssYou f1atter me! But how, if I may ask, do you intend to accomplish all that9'
 q have not thought so far along. In, peace, if you pleases 1t would be much better.''
 '.But,'' she exclaimed, pausing in her walk up and down, you speak as though you meant these things! Could it be there, out there-beyond the great rfver-yes, my other jailer told me that we were not to stop this side.''
 'I hardly know what I mean,'' he answered miserably. .1 like all this no better than yourself. But let us begin with what is certain. Each hour, each day I may be able to hold you here is that much gained. I can't let you go.''
 Most excellent! You begin we'll But shall not submit to such insults longer''
 .1t is too 1atel'' he broke in. .sI know how much I have taken, leave of my own self respect. but there are times when one takes leave of every for nothing that lies be- tween him and one purpose. t would do no good for you to claim the pro- tection of others. Even if I had to fight all the boats officers I might win. But in that case you could only lose. You would have to explain who you are, why you are here. You would not be believed.''
 ttLet us see if we cannot reason calmly over this natter She was suddenly cold and pale. The hand of a swift terror was upon her now.
 t'You ask me to reason, and I an- swer have no reason left I know that if you left me should never see you again
 ..But what difference, then? You are. I presume, only my new con stable.''
 There could be no social chance for