The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-05-26

ward until crouched behind the 'Dr1cK coping. There was not a disturbing sound, and I strengthened up, essaying the first step forth into the full gleam of the light Like some confronting ghost, scarcely more real than a phan- tom of imagination, I came face to face with woman. She had turned swiftly into the mar row gateway leading through the brick coping. hurry1ng silently as if pursued, her foot barely planted upon the step when we met. stopped, speeches.. rigid, my outstretched hand gripping the rail- but the woman drew hastily back, her lips parted in a sudden sob of surprise, one hand flung out as if in self protection. It was instantane- ous. Yet before either could move otherwise or utter a word of explana- tion a heavy footfall crunched along the walk, and a burly police officer, his star gleaning orninously in the dull light, rounded the corner dozen feet away.
 2 s'Here now, an what are ye pop too, me fine buck7. he questioned roughly. swinging me about into the light Give an account O yerself Eoighty quick CT I'll run ye in"
 
 must have perceived how fnstinctdve- sly snrank back, my lips moving in an impotent effort at speech. Some sud- den impulse changed her fright into sympathy. She started forward just a step.
 s.Nothing tn the least wrong, sofacer,'' her voice trem bling slightly, yet sound Ing clearly distinct "He-he was merely accompanying me home from a dance"
 sswhut dance?''
 sover over there on Forty-third street.rT
 ' sAn' do yer live here2'. the gruff tone still vibrant with suspicion. Fer if ye do yer're sure new gurl.~ and he peered at her shadewed face in the dim light. She drew in her breath sharply.
 s.No,'' her voice steadying, now she realized she must carry out the decep- ton; 'my place is three blocks yet, around the next corner.
 ssThet's a prutty thin story, miss. Then whut wus the two @ov yer doin' in here ?n
 T had my foot on the step tying my shoe," she explained simply. You don't arrest people for that, do vou?
 It was plain enough the officer was puzzled, yet he reluctantly released his grip on my arm.
 sIt,s half oi belave yer stringin' me roight now,r he announced doubtfully, but 0rll give yer ther benefit ov the. doubt. Don't let me run across yer along this beat agin ternight. Go on, now!9
 felt her hand touch my sleeve tim idly and caught swift glimpse of her eyes. We must carry out the decep- ton now and go away together. With out venturing to speak or glance around we walked forward into the enveloping mist. Her fingers, for ap- pearances' sake. barely touched the rough cloth of my sleeve All this had occurred so swiftly, so suddenly, that I was yet bewildered, unable to de eide on a course of action. The girl I noticed. was breathing heavily from excitement. her eyes cast down upon the wet pavement Once, beneath the glow of the lamp at the first corner, 1 ventured to glance slyly aside at her in curiosity, mentally photogra phing the clear outline of her features, the strands of light brown hair struggling rebelHously fr0Ia beneath the wide BTinns of the hat. There was more than mere hint of character about that resoIute mouth. the white contour of check.
 At the second street intersection she turned east, advancing toward where passing trolley ears promised some life and activity even at that late hour. Lmpulsively she stopped and faced me. her hands ciasped.
 "I-T-please-1 will say good night now, she said, endeavoring to. speak firmly, yet with no uplifting of the eyes.
 Hesitatingly I stood still. feeling strangely embarrassed by this sudden curt dismissal.
 s'Do-do you mean you wish me to leave you alone on the street at this f1our?'' questioned uneasily. 'sAt least permit me to see you home safely. II will not hurt you or speak word''
 CTo Be Continued.J