The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-11-19
CHAPTER U.
The Game.

TT ts easily earned repetition to state
 thai Josephine St Auban's was a
 presence not Co be concealed Even @ such boat ns the Mount Vernon offered total deck space so cramped as to leave secrecy or privacy well out of the question z' .4f -~s-----
 Apparently they were not unexpect- ed The ships clerks readily led the way to apartments which had been SC cured fin advance. Having seen to the lusgaRe of his charges, whom he dis posed in a good double stateroom, the leader of the party repaired to his own quarters. Tarrying no longer than to see his own luggage safe aboard he commanded one of the men to fetch hlm to the office of the captain.
 Captain Rogers began Carlisle. -syou have been advised to some ex- tent of my plans by telegram from Washington
 the lady's consent2 Are there any charges of any kind againsf''-
 +sThat is not for you to ask. She is under my care, and must not disem- bark until I say the word. You will kindly give her a place at my table There must be no idle curiosity to an- noy her My. erran1 demands secrecy and speed alike There must be no eommunication between this boat and the shore, so far as this young lady is concerned. Meantime, if all is ready, it would please me nightly if we could start''
 The captain pulled bell rope ssTeil the mate to cast off,'' he said to the mnn who answered- An instant later the hoarse boom of the boats whistles roared out their warning. Churning the stained waters into foam with her great paddles, the Mount Vernon pres entity swung slowly out into the mar row stream.
 'sfSow. Captain Rogers,' went on Captain Carlisle, tersely, 'stel me who's aboard" and presently he he- gan to ponder the names which, in tooss fashion, the clerk assembled from his memory and his personal acquaint- anee.
 sHm. hmr' commented the listener, -svsry few whom know. Judge Clay tom from the other side, below Cairo. State Senator Jones. from Belmont
 You know Mir. Jones? Old Decline and Ezlp Jones- He never reads any book excepting Gibbons Decline and Fan of the Roman Empire Always declines a drink when offered, but he's sure to fall 6 moment 1ater!" Thus the smiling clerk.
 Even as Carlisle left the captains room to ascend che stair he met face to face the very man whose presence he least desired. "DunwodyT be ex- claimed
 -I changed my mind at the last mo- ment. It fs far more comfortable go- ing down by boat than it is by stage. Then the thought of the pleasure of your society on the journey''- He was smiling rather malicious1y.
 ssXeg, yes, of coursei'' somewhat dis mally.
 ''But now, to be frank with you, you font seem altogether happy. Why do you want to be rid of me? What harm have done7 When are you going to introduce me as you should to that extremely beautiful young lady who Is with yeu7'
 s'Bfy very dear siri''
 sKou are not '1ny dear sir at all so iong as you try to ihoodwif1k me-" per sisted Dunwody, still smiling Come, now. what ara vou doing here west bound with a young and charming person who is not your wife, widow, mother, daughter, fancee or sister; who is not''--
 ssIt is within a mans rights to choose hta own comDany and his own ways.