The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-05-14

 "Ask them to come up.' The Jus tfce rose and took a 'tumb1er from the table. ''pl put away Justice Tender sons glass;" he. said, in explanation o' his act.
 They're Kentucky ladies, MT. Jus
 H.But T don't want any credit for a hospitality T haven't earned"
 Chapter xI.
 AS the two ladies came into the room, Viola was slightly in advance of Helen. Jack; took her hand and presented her to the Justice. As he turned to Helen, she said:
 "One moment, Jack; I prefer to in. troduce myself" -~ #
 Justice Prentice desired the ladies to be seated.
 "You are not married man, Jus- tice Prentice" 9" Helen began, interrog- atively.
 There was tone of tender regret in the voice of the old Justice as he answered, quietly.
 l. T. am not.''
 "But you have the reputation of be- ing a very charitable one" That's pleasant to hear" 7
 Prentice resumed his chair opposite to that in which Helen had seated her self Brookfield stood by the table, SllSnIly OuI O1 CQG JuSllCG 5 IdA8C OA vision. reassurinsly holding Viola s hand. He knew by her trembling that the, girl was in an agony of ap- ?prehension
 What charity do you representa-" Prentice asked, by way of an opening:
 "None. hardly know how to tell you my .obiect.',
 . "It's a personal matter, is it?" Prem tice looked to Brookfeld to help him out
 Yes. very personal matter, Mir. T have here" said Helen "an auto graph book"
 with a slight. amused smile. ''I usual ly sign my autograph for those who wish it at the"
 T did not come. for an autograph, Justice Prentice,' Helen broke in. tremulously; "I have brought one"
 Well, I don't go in for that kind of thing very much-I have no collec- tion. My taste runs more toward
 "The autograph I have brought Is one of yours written: many years ago. It is signed to letter" Helen offer ed the book. twill you look at it?"
 with pleasure, Prentice replied. adjusting his glasses. "Is this the letter ?' #
 The Justice read aloud: June 15, 1SeO.' Dear me-, that's long time ago. My dear Margaret,-The mat ter passed of satisfactorily-a mere scratch Roland apologized.-Jeff. = What is this ?"
 Prentice himself showed agitation both in voice and face as he repeated the words:
 Why. this letter-was it written to
 .asTo Margaret Price" Helen af- firmed, in a voice almost inaudible siIs it possible ?. We'll, we1i.r PrAn- tice looked 7dreamily at the miniature lying on the table before him. T wonder if what we call condolences are ever mere coincidences. Mar garet Price! Her name was on my lips only moment ago." =.
 Really. MT. Justice?" Brookfeld asked. his heart taking unreasonable, hope from the circumstance.
 "Yes. Did you know Margaret Price?'
 Brookfield turned to Helen as he answered in the affirmative; Pren. in response. tp his look more than to his words Helen sa4&:
 "She was my mother"
 Margaret. Price was-?'
 Was my mother"
 The old Justice leaned back in his chair: over his faeeG4heres passed Tn turn astonishn1ent, perp1ex1ty, tender
 "Why. I was just speaking of her to Justice Henderson, who went out as you came in-you remember" ?" Z He appealed with animation to Brookfield, who nodded assent. His audience of three hung almost breath 1n<,s Ivy h is
 .Her picture dropped from the table here-tfiis lniniature." He took the ivory portrait in his hand affec-. tionately. Margaret Price gave 1t to me herself, And you'-his tender old eyes lifted to Helen's, his voice trem- bled and dropped to g lower key and you are. her daughter :!
 Yes yes: can see the likeness At. twenty you must Have looked very like this miniature" He handed the portrait to Helen.
 q have photographs of myself that are very like this,'' Helen said,. hand ing the picture to Jack. AS he and Viola studied it together, Helen turn ed to the Justice. pursuing the topic that had begun so auspicious1y.
 And you say you were speaking of her just now?"
 Mot five minutes ago. What were you saying of her?"
 Brookfield put the miniature down on the table. and waited for the an swer. The Justice hesitated strange ly, but once launched on his comics sion he spoke rapidly.
 Well, was saying that the old bodices were a more civilized article of apparel than the modern substi- tute for them, madam. Don't you agree with me?''
 "I don't think it an important ques- tion, MT. Justice" Helen returned, without coquetry, yet in tone that implied appreciation of the pleasantly by the comparison.
 ttI trust you don't think it an inn pertinent one?'' The courtly old Kentuckian was on his feet immedi-t ately with gesture of deference both 1 to Helen and Viola that would have disarmed any inclination to criticism. i,
 "Oh mo- Helen hastened to assure him.
 "But be seated. please" the Justice l urged Viola who was still standing l that you called-delighted." The old man beamed.
 sEven at such an .hour? ?" Helen l ventured.
 "At any hour'' The tender sheer ty of his voice was unmistakable. | Margaret Price was very dear | friend of mine. And to think you Ire her daughterY Prentice took the | from the table again, l. scanning the note which more than filed the first page of the paper.J And this letter-186O! Whats this?" He had turned a leaf. ."Oh, don't touch tl1at!" Helen ex- la timed, half rising as she did SO; cit will break. It's only a dry spray of