The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-11-14

to 1.-THE doorway to behold there, smI1-
ing coldly, Mrs. D'Aquila.
For a moment there was a general
silence after half the company had got
to its feet. Haslam moved toward
Sartoris as il he required the strength
Of his personality. Beverley turned
toward the woman standing there cold
ly self possessed.
Madam he exclaimed.
In a most decided drawing room
manner Mrs. D'Aquila faced him.
Lord Beverley, pray forgive this
er-intrusion,'' she said sweetly. Ger
tain rumors having reached my ears,
had come to ask for private inter
view with a view to obviatfng public
scandal. But happily-or unhappily-I
have just heard the words that have
fallen from your lips. Therefore,
though regret the pain that may
cause, it is due to myself that I should
speak here as publicly as you have
casters wife,
Brancaster started forward, his hand
at his forehead as he struggled to re-
gain memory of the last days before
his accident
s'Wife?'' he shouted. 'It's ie!''
Lady Diana had gone straight to her
grandfather and. ready to fly to the
refuge Of his arms, stood close to him.
Madam" said Beverley in deep pain,
'+if this is some i'll timed piece of bra
vado-some attempt
But Mrs. DAqui1a took the words
from his mouth.
cit is an attempt to save your
granddaughter humiliation, Lord Bev-
erley," she said; perhaps something
worse. It is now an endeavor to assist
you in explaining to her exactly my
position in this house,
While Lady Diana's eyes followed
Brancaster wistfully, despairingly, the
young earl turned ito the company of
his friends and neighbors.
Gentlemen, on my honor he ex-
ploded. Beverley, this is an outrage!
Turn this woman OUT
Beverley seemed half inclined to
take the hotheaded suggestion of his
neighbor and act upon it.
Mrs. D'Aquila"- he began.
'HThat is not my name" she said
firmly. 'sYou don't believe it?''
tT believe Brancaster,'' said the rae
ing marquis, clasping the hand of the
younger man.
Suddenly the woman held out to him
a paper.
.sThen read that" she ordered.
Beverley, without taking into his own
hand the document, looked at it as
though it were a thing which might
scorch him. 1t plainly was marriage
certificate.
s'Great heavensI'' he exclaimed.
But Brancaster had been looking over
his shoulder.
It's forged-it's false-you know it,"
he almost shouted into the face of the
smiling woman.
Lord Beverley gave another long look
at the document and read there the
signature of the Rev. Werner Haslam.
He walked slowly toward the vicar,
but not before Sartoris had whispered
to him savagely:
t'Stick to it!''
Lord Beverley now had the paper in.
his own hands, and he passed it to
Haslam.
'tMr. Haslam is this true?'' he said,
extending the document
But the vicar did not look at it.
Speaking with the greatest possible eff
fort, he slightly bowed as he answered
in low tone:
''That is my signature, Lord Bever-
ley"
HIS MANIFEST d1nculCy IN speaking
but strengthened his assertion, as all
present thought that the clergyman
hes1tated merely because he found
very unpleasant duty before him.
But the vicar was not to escape with
ont telling real falsehood
''It can't be Beverley Di- I
swear began Brancaster, and stopped.
But Beverley paid no further atten-
ton to the pale young girl. To the
clergyman he turned, asking:
'.And it's true that you married them
that they are man and wife?''
Again Haslam bowed, and then as he
felt the cold, menacing eyes of Sar-
toris on him he managed to add
hoarse:
Eyes,"
With a half sob and a scream, Lady
Diana flung herself into the arms of
Lord Beverley. The old man gathered
her closely to himself and then glow
cred upon the smiling Mrs. D'Aquila
and the stricken Brancaster, equally.
"You houndi'' he said stern1y to Bran
caster. 'FYou, knowing this, come here
and would have Out of my sight,
both Of you'll Turn this woman and this
blackguard out OF nay houser'
@AAnTER %RFTF