The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-09-16
(Continued.A

BeIOre A1S~ PeFT0cC ApAOLnD AuC1Ue stood undecided. Her nerves were shat tered, and the drink, she knew, would do her good. But there had been that look in the mans eyes. She could not be mistaken in 1t. She touched her tongue to the delicious, fiery stun and waited. A sensation of comfort slow , sly' approached her weary spirit-a feel ing of 1assitude She fought the sen- sation away.
 Pouring out the doctored liquor care fully, she lay against the pillows i'm q posture of dreamless sleep. It was ; half an hour before her patience was rewarded. Then Thompson slipped stealthiIy into the room Lucille fex- ed herself-a steel spring wound to its last notch.
 Thompson approached swiftly, silent. 1y. He was beside her. leaning over her, his. hand gYoping at her throat; little exclamation of triumph as his finger pads touched the necklace. It was in his hands, and then the steel epring uncoiled with tremendous sud denness.
 Taken by surprise before the vicious fury of the girls attack the butler staggered back. Before he could re (OHCA 0AC was. dkOA A1A44e s0I1VAlS AAAAA toward the door He lifted his hands to fend his face, then stopped abruptly as he staggered into his master, just entering the room.
 Hugo Loub4que waited, watching the furious girl and the ruffed butler curi- ously. A smile curved Ais lips as he turned toward her.
 ssYou object to the draft, presume assure you 1t has no i'll effects and will make the Journey one of pleasure instead of weariness." Then he whirL edsupon the butler, his face hard as granite, his teeth clipping off each word like steel particles
 What are you doing here?"
 sI came to see if the draft had taken effect" su1kily murmured the butler.
 By what authority ?''
 Asking your pardon, sir, but I sug gested it and was afraid it might have bad effect. I grew to take an inter est in Miss Lucille in Manila, sir, and did not wish''-
 Loubeque drowned heavily, but cui , him short with an impatient wave o1 his hand. ! Lucille felt a sudden i'm pulse to tell hin the truth, but con quered it swiftly. She could dghi Thompson much easier than this man She must keep her own counsel. Int spy turned@to her again.
 1.You did not take the dfaft?''
 s.Nor'
 ssI assure you on my word as a gen tIeman that 1t will cause you no incon venience Further, I hoped not to bt obliged to tell you that if you do. no take. it willingly you will be compelled to get it down.
 She bent. her head docilely Resist ance was out of the question, and, aft <er all, she must save her strength t fight the big things. After a moment. hesitation, a shudder at the enticinl colors shed from tine stuff, she drained the glass.
 Languor, comfort, peace. She gay, herself. up to the drug with a prayer a prayer she felt so certain would bt needed, thut in her slumber smill parted her lips, played about her coun tenanee. And when she awoke sht was at Loubeque's Mexican ranch.
 
 Low, rambling houses of Spanisl architecture dotted the great are, which the curiously fantastic, who'll. artistic fence inclosed The ground were laid out in orderly fashion, bloom ing like the garden of Eden with rfotous profusion of flowers and plants
 This was a new Loubeque she me there. Always had she associated hin with the manner of her knowing. him Times he had been tender, other time be had been cruel, always was he craf ty, cunning, outrageous, one idea man. But now he seemed all poet painter. She could hear the softenet tones of his voice as, with some of hi companions, he wandered about tn grounds, tenderly explaining to then the history, the beauty of the flowers the rare species he had. imported fo the place.
 It was after one of these ramble that she noticed signs of some impend ing change about the menage. On morning he suddenly walked ,towar, her.. entering the house to shortly en ter her room.
 .I am leaving today,'' he began ah ruptly, all the nature lover gone iron his cold. stern manner. Again I asl you to tell me where you put the pa pers.''
 .eThen they haven't been found''- She stopped abruptly, realizing tha her delight had revealed quite as mucl as his demand.
 T am sorry, Lucille, that you canno see the folly of this. It is your las chance to tell me. It is your las chance to count me a friend. I an waiting
 She did not answer. Their eyes me and held, both filled with an unaltere, purpose. Then Loubeque, without word left the room