The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-08-19

The rapping was. repeated. He called out in cautious tones, asking who was there, at the same time slipping from bed to tumble in the darkness for his clothes.
 "'Sh!' came from the hallway. He rushed over and put his ear to the door, "It is I. Are you awake? I can't stay here. It's wrong. Listen Here's a note-under the door. Good night, darling! I'm heartbroken."
 ''Thank God, it's your' he cried soft ly. "How I love you, Constance?'
 "aSh! Edith is with me! Oh, I wish it were morning and I could see you. I have so much to say"
 Another querulous voice broke in: ''For heavens sake, Connie, don't stand here any longer. Our reputa- tions are bad enough as it is. Good night-Roxbury!' He distinctly heard the heartless Edith gigg1e. Then came the soft. quick swish of garments and the nocturnal visitors were gone. He picked up the envelope and, waiting until they were safely down the hall, turned on the light
 ''Dearest,'' he read, sit was not my fault and know it was not yours. But, oh, you don't know how I suffer ed all through those hours of waiting at the cafe. They did not find me un- til after 2. They were drunk. They tried to explain. What do you think the authorities will do to me if they find that gave that horrid man bribe money? Really, I'm terribly nervous But he won't dare say anything, will he? He is as guilty as I, for he took h He took it knowing that you were free at the time. But we will talk it over tomorrow. I've just got back to the hotel I wouldn't go to bed until Edith brought me up to hear your dear voice. am so glad you are not dead. It is impossible to release you tonight. Those wretches have the key. How I Ioathe theml Edith says the hotel is wild with gossip about every thing and every body. It's just awful. Be of good heart, my. beloved. Twill be your faithful slave until death With love and adoratton and kisses. Your own Constance.
 sF. s. Roxbury has not made sign. Edith is frantic.''
 Several floors below the relieved and ecstatic Brock, Mrs. Medcroft was soon urging her sister to go to bed and let the story go until daylight She persisted in telling all that she had done and all that she had endured
 'FWe must never let him know that we actually gave that wretch nearly $2, 2,5OO, Edith. He would never forgive us I admit that I was fool and a ninny, so don't tell me I am. I can see by the way you are looking that you're just crazy to. It's all Roxbury's s fault, anyway. Why should he get up and make speech in London with out letting us know? Just see how it has placed us! I think MT. Brock is an angel to do what he has done for you and Roxbury. Yes, my dear, you will have to confess that Roxbury is a brute-a perfect brute. I'm sure, if you have spark of fairness in you, you must hate him. No, no! Don't I say anything, Edith. You know I'm right
 "Pm not going to say anything" de clared Edith angrily. sI'm going to I bed"
 "Edith, if you don't mind, dear, I think I'll sleep with you.'' After mo- ment of deep reflection she added 1 plaintiveIy: There is so much that I just have to tell you, deary. lit won't keep till daylight
 Bright and early in the morning the tired, harassed night farers were rout- ed from their rooms by demand from the management of the hotel that they appear forthwith in the private office This order included every member of 1 MT. Rodney's party, excepting the 1 Medcroft baby. Considerab bly, distress ed and very much concerned over the proba ble outcome of the conference | the Rodney forces made their way to 1 the .ofhces-not altogether in an open 1 fashion, but by humiliatingly unusual 1 avenues. The Rodney family came l down the back stairs. Brock was sol. emnly ushered through the public of flee by MT. Odel1-Carney and Freddie Ulstervelt It is not stretching the truth to say that they were sour and su1Ien, but, as may be suspected, from peculiarly different causes. At last 1 all were congregated in the stufy of. 1 fee, very much subdued and very 1 much at odds with each other. MT Githens was there. Likewise the gen l tleman from the bank and a promi nent person from the department o1 police. A
 | Miss Fowler glanced about uneasiIJ and was relieved to discover that hel treacherous taller was not there to con l front her with charges. It had occur red to her that he might, after all, have l tricked her into committing a crime | against the government.
 It was quite noticeable that Mrs Rodney and Katherine did not speaI to the Medcroft contingent = in fact they ignored them quite completely Mrs. Rodney was very pale and yer! deeply distressed. She cast man,
 glances at the red eyed and sheepisl
 MT. Rodney-glances that meant mucI
 to the further torture of his soul.
 Tlo ba ContfnuadN