The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-05-01
Continued.l
cepysieht, 1909, by Doubleday,
 Pace . ceNaQaay.

(Continued.l
 The more fool you, thenr' cried Mrs. Comstock. 'HThis time yesterday you were engaged to another woman. no doubt. Now, for some little flareup you come racing here to use Elnora as . tool to spite the other girl. A week of sane living and you will be ssrry and ready to go back to Chicago or, if you really arc man enough to be sure of yourself, she will come to claim you. When you patch up your affairs and go sailing away together, where does my girl come inT'
 ~I am a lawyer. Mrs. Comstock," said Ammon. "It appeals to me as beneath your ordinary sense of justice to decide . case without hearing the evidence. It is due me that you hear me first"
 Hear your side?" flashed Mrs. Con- stock. "rd a heap sight rather hear the girir
 "I wish to my soul that you had heard and seen her last night, Mrs. Comstock,'' said Ammon. 'Then my way would be clear.''
 He gave his version of the previous night.
 Do you believe me?' he finished
 "Yes."' said Mrs. Comstock.
 "May stayT
 ''Oh. 1t looks all right for you, but what about herr"
 Nothing so far as am concerned. Her plans Were all made to start to Europe today. I suspect she is on the way by this time. Elnora is very sensible, Mrs. Comstock. Hadn't you better let her decide this?"
 "The final decision rests with her, of course, admitted Mrs. Comstock. "But look you one thing! She's all I have. So far as I know you've always been a man and you may stay. But if you bring tears and heartache to her don't have the assurance to think I'll bear it tamely. I'll get right up and fight like a catamount if things go wrong for El- norar'
 "I have no doubt but you will," re- piled Ammon. land I don't blame you in the least if you do. I have the ut most devotion to offer Elnora, good home, fair social position, and my fam fly will love her dearly. Think it over. I know 1t is sudden, but my father ad- vised it.''
 They prepared and ate supper. Aft erward they sat in the arbor and talk cd, or Elnora played until time for Am mon to go.
 "Win you walk to the gate with me ?'' he asked Elnora as he arose.
 "Not tonight" she answered lightly. Come early in the morning if you like, and we will go over to Sleepy Snake creek and hunt moths and gath CT dandelions for dinner
 Ammon leaned toward her. May tell you tomorrow why I came?" he asked.
 ''I think not replied Elnora "The fact is I don't care why you came. It is enough for me that we are your very good friends and that in trouble you have found us a refuge. I fancy we had better live a week or two before you say anything. There is a possibili- ty what you have to say may change In that length of time"
 "It win not change one iotay' cried Ammon.
 Then 1t will have the grace of that much age to give it some small touch of favor" said the girl. Come early Tn the morning.
 She lifted the violin and began to play daiety fairy dance.
 Well. bless my soulr' softly ejacu- lated the astounded Mrs. Comstock. ''To think I was worrying for fear you couldn't take care of yourselfw
 Elnora laughed as she played.
 The month which followed was a rep etition of the previous June, with moth hunts, specimen gathering and perfect nights filled with music, save that Phil ip was now Elnora's avowed suitor Edith Carr, sick at heart, sailed for Europe. At the end of a month Philip asked Elnora to be his wife, but she pleaded for more time, saying she must be absolutely sure of herself and of him before she could say yes. But she con- rented to wear 8 beautiful emerald Ting which he had had sent from Chi cago.