The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-12-09

0~~ "---- oO""AA'S' ~1t~AiAA6 AA~A held her fast, that she had to look up. Gone now" he muttercd speak Why it that you 1eft7 That at least you shall tell me"
 She pantcd, fighting release herself. "Because- because of baby she gasped.
 He let her go face fen vacant Staggering away from her, he sank into the chair She watched him with mingled pity and repuson So that was the reasonP he whispered, guawing at ps hands and nodding his head because of baby"
 Slowly intelligence came back to his eyes and he glanced at her. "But why because of bzby7" he fa1tered and like little child asking questions 'Lucy, I've never seen her-and wouldn't hurt her"
 There silence for minute. The woman was steadying herself that she might the truth at last While only two in the world could bear it." she said and if the baby had been boy, it wouldn't have mattered much A boy can fight for himseff and is judged by his worth; will avoid a boy because of his father. But somehow when the baby was girl it seemed different A girl can't fight She isn't big and rough. She's dependent on her And if of her men is the cause of her inc suits You know what mean, Baden1 It isn't tfas I'm cruel I'm just saying what must be said. Who would love or girl if he knew that her father had been-had been where you have just come from77
 But you know that was innocent?"
 Oh yes, know; but what about the world Yoa can't make the world believe that You've served a two years sentence and the world will never forget ft
 Then I'm not only be legally punished but damned eternally for deed which you know have not done? Is that it7" 5o
 "Oh. Baden, I'm sorry But can't help it. I could have been brave and would have stood by vou ii baby hadn't come I'm a coward, know; and yet 1t isn't for myse1f-its for her. can't bear to tbi1k of what she would have to suffer if we lived together
 He staggered to his feet and had his hand on tbe door knob when thought stayed him. His lips tw1tched and last spurt of anger b1azed into hia eyes as he turned upon her. And why the didn't you tell me all this before7" he burted out aoYo. must have known good twelve months ago that you intended to desert me What kind of Iscariot are you, to sit down and write long loving letters all pretence-with this hidden in your heart7 If I'd known year ago, might have got used t vor,r e.e and been able to bear it"
 She crouched his feet for she feared murder. se even brought herself to kiss his hands. drew them away from her roughly that her lips spurted blood Good GodF he sneered, what kind of creature do you think ann You needn't hatter me D'yor sun pose I'd stoop to kill you?" Then he saw the blood and his fury died out He bent toward her till their faces nearly touched. Lucy" he whispered, pointing at her lips, "did do that 2"
 She did not answer him, for her throat was parched with terror of death He caught her his arms and did not notice how she shrank Holding her tightly to his breast, he said: "Oh Lucy, tell me- why did you write those letters? It was cruel"
 Because frad to tell you"
 "So you away instead7"
 Her lips moved. and the word they framed was "Yes"
 Poor little woman" he nurmured; @poor little womanp Then he kissed her on the mouth and left
 When he got back to Seaford it nearing twelve The houses in darkness and the saloons shut The air had grown cooler and it had commenced to drizzle He limped painfully; his feet were badly swollen and he felt out He oitered in his steps and sometimes he halted, by dizziness clutch halted he caught policeman eyeing him suspciously strengthening himself up, he tottered
 He had just one desire in the world, and that was to find Billy; he would understand
 His shoulders huddled his clothes drenched; he beating his hands together to keep up circulation It required but one glance to tell that this was not the Billy he had left.
 "Got any money7" was his first question. ~Shpent ali yer gave Yerve ep' waitin moran four hours Had nothink ter do, sho I gor drunk"
 Noticing the change in Knightly. he sobered up +Wors the matter?" he asked. "Wouldn't shave yerP
 h looking at him Knehty felt nothing but pig; they'll force me to come to 1" was the thought which old mans question to what they going to do next Get back" he said, shortly.
 Billy stared in amazement. "Sho yerve found that out already have yer?" he stuttered.
 Knightly paid him no attention He was intent on his plan he outlined it Billy, after which they
 Going to the ticket office he asked lower berth hour The clerk having filled in the number, ad- vanced the window, retaining the ticket and await to purchaser Knightly engaged him in converse ton, speaking hoarsely that it was difficult to make forward in order that he might catch his words Watching his opportunity, Knightly grabbed him by the hand tugging his arm through beneath the iron grating till he held him firmly.
 Billy, who had been towering about the ladies' the other side of the ticket office, hearing the the door which entered at the back. The moment Knghty. peerng through the grating. caught sight of broken pane. unlock the door, and clear out all the cash Meanwhile. the clerk grpped fast by the arm, was bawling iustiy for help. - through the shattered glass then his shoulder, and last his hand groping drunlenly for the key. He descended on his The club raised and again descended; then followed shower of blows sieSen- ing in their brutality. The old exconvct beaten till desstng from struggle. his body hung Imply through the door-frame and ceased to stir
 Knieh41v released the clerk; he had accomplished Le oleiuOu Q