The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-12-12

\ SsIU "'No. mo- she rejoined. 'I have spent my own funds in this matter. and l have told my own agents to do nothing in the slightest contravention of the laws. But you have watched me! I have been''-
 '"This is a simple and democratic country, madam" was the quiet an- swer, although perhaps there might ! have been the trace of a smile on the close set mouth of the speaker. We do not spy on any one. Your acts have been quite within public knowledge. You yourself have not sought to leave them secret. There is no need of ap- prehension on your part. Let us aS- sure you of that at once. We are glad that you, whom we recognize as the moving spirit in this deportation en- terprfse. have not sanctioned certain of the acts of your agents. There was one-a former army ofhcer-with whom there Iabored revolutionist, Ger man, recently from Europe. Is it not So?''
 ~~ 'It is true," she assented. ''They were my chief agents. But as for that officer. this country has none. more eager to offer his sword to the flag when the time shall come. I am sure it is but his zeal which has caused off, fense. 1 would plead for his reinstate- ment He may have been indiscreet."
 We shall listen to what you say. But in addition to these there was a former slave girl who has been some what prominent in meetings which these two have carried on in different op+cs af Inc tru orde r,P the southern press, this girl has been used as a decoy.''
 "Lilyv' exclaimed Josephine. .''It must have been she! Yes. I had such a person in my employ-in very hum- ble capacity. But. sir. 1 assure you have not seen her for more than two months. 1 had supposed her busy with these others on the lecture platform
 ''She is not now so engaged inter- rupted voice from the shadows on the other side of the table.
 "Then she has been arrested?" de- handed Josephine.
 That is not the term. Yet it is true that she sailed on one of your own colonization ships last week. Her for tune will lie elsewhere hereafter. It was her own wiSh.
 A sudden sense of heIplessness smote upon Josephine St. Auban- Here, even in this republic. were great and silent powers with which the individual need ed to contend.
 'But. gentlemen" said she. as she held out in her hand some papers which cracked in her trembling grasp after all we are at cross purposes. This is not necessary. My own work is at an end already! This very morning fn nd I haU0 a report today from my agents in Eu- rope. Gentlemen. since must mention these things, I have been possessor of a fortune in my own name which might have been called considera ble. l had estates in France and Austria. This advises me that my estates have been confiscated by the governments in both countries-they got word there, in some way''-
 "It was HuIsemannv' ejacuIated the dark man, as to himself. s'Austrias man hereT'
 She went on: "If am not welcome in this country, whither shall I go? am an exile as I stand before you. am a widow. I have no living kin. Moreover, I am an exile. impoverished, as stand Here are my proofs"
 She placed her papers in the hand of her escort. the nearest of these grave and silent men. A nod from the leader at the head of the table caused this tall and dark gentleman to rise and seek place closer to the window 1n order that he might find better light for read ing. His glasses upon his nose, he scanned the papers grave1y. sudden smile broke out upon his face.
 "Gentlemen.'' said he at length, quietly. 'fthis lady has been kind to come to meet us, and you all are wit ness that her dealings have been per fectly frank and sincere. 1 confess. however. I am somewhat puzzled over this document which she has given me. l presume we may well mark it 'Ex- hibit A. If you do not mind I will read it to you"
 My Dear Madame-I take in hand my pen to tell you how life goes with Us in this locality. The business of Hector is improved one-half this year. We have green blinds on all sides of the house and a vine that grows also The mother Of Hector is kind to me. We have abundance and peace at this place. But, madame. that which it is which write you. there is come but now the baby of Hector and myself Jeanne In all this locality there is baby like this. Madame, we have said to name it for yourself. Josephine St. Auban Jeanne Marie Fournier. More over madame, 1t is advise that for a baby remarkable godrnother is necessary 1 take my pen in hand to inquire of ma- dame whether in the kindness of her heart madame could come to us and be present at this christening of this child most extraordinary have the assurance also of Hector that the remarkable quail ities of this baby will warrant the pres- ence of madame. A reply address on St. Genevieve, in Missouri, will arrive to your faithful and obedient servant.
 JEANNE.
 Before this singular document had been half concluded there were sounds of shifting chairs. bursts of Stifled laughter. The tall grave man neverthe- less went on, soleTnnly finishing this