The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-03-11
BIOOERS
Gopyriahs. loEJ. by the Bobbs-MerrilI
tcontinued1


 Ss1 know, MT. Bland Ee said, .-thst my safety is your dearest wish"
 It was past o'clock. The early twilight crept up the mountain, and fhe shadows began to Iengthen in the Ereat bare office Of BaIdpate inn. In the red flicker of nrelight MT. Adasee sat and pondered- The interval Nince 16neheon had passed lazily. He was no nearer to guessing which of Bald pate inns winter guests hugged close the precious package Exasperated, angry, he waited for he knew not what, restless all the while to act, but having not the slimmer of an inspira tion as to what his course ought to be
 He heard the rustic of skirts on the stair landing and looked up Down the broad stairway so well designed to serve as show window for the sartorial triumphs of Baldpate's gay summer people, came the tall hand all his plans awry. l
 Now, for the. first time he looked upon her as flesh and blood girl. not cd the red in her olive cheeks, the fire in her dark eyes and realized that her interest in that package of money might be something more than another queer quirk in the tangIe of events.
 She smiled q friendly smile at Ma gee and took the chair he offered.
 Last night Mir Mageev she said, q told y8u frankly why had come to Baldpats inn. You were good enough to say that you would help me if you could The time has come when you can. think
 sfesys answered Masee His heart sank- What now7
 IT must confess that I spied this mornings she went on. Tt was rude anything is excusable under the cir rnn1stanxss, don't you I witnessed a scene in the half above lEr- Magea know wao has the $200, 0,o00g'
 ssXou know 7zf cried 1Eagee. His heart gave d great bound At lasts And then@he stopped ''Fm afraid must ask you not to tell me- he added sadly.
 The girl looked at him in wonder. She was of a type common in Magee,s world delicate, finely reared, sensi- tive. True In her pride and haughti- ness she ssuggested the snow capped heights of the eternal hills But at sight of those feminine heights Billy Magee had always been one to seize hls alpenstock in a more determined grip and climb. Witness his attentions to the superb Helen Faulkner. He had moment of faItering. Here was a girl who at least did not doubt him, who ascnibed to him the virtues of a gentleman, who was glad to trust in him. Should he transfer his aIIegi- ance No, he could hardly do that now.
 .sYou ask me not to tell you,' repent ed the girl slowly
 ssThat demands an explanation z re piled Billy Magee. ..I want you to understand-to be certain that would delight to help you if could. But the fact is that before you came gave my word to secure the package you speak Of for another woman. I can not break my promise to hers'
 T see,' she answered. Her tone was cool.
 sTm sveTy sorry" Magee went on. ssBut as matter of fact seem to be of very little service to any one. Just now l would give great deal to have the Information you were about to give me But since I could not use it helping you, you will readily see that must not listen I'm sorry.
 I'm sorry, too,,, replied the girl. ssThank you very much-for telling me. Now I mHstAgo forward alone" She smiled uIlhappily.
 eTm afraid you must. ,, answered Bil- ly Msgee
 On fHe stairs appeared the slim ig- ure of tf1e other girl. Her great eyes were wist8u5 her face was pale She came toward them through the red 6reIight- MT. Magee saw what fool he had been to ssaver in his allegiance even for a moment, for he loved her. wanted her. surely The snow capped heights are inspiring, but far more companionabIe is the brook that spar kIes in the valley.
 .sIt's rather dull. isn't ii? r" asked Miss Norton of the Thornhiu girl. By the side of the taller woman she seemed slight, almost childish. Have you ~sen the pictures of the admiral, Miss ThornbiII? Looking at them is our one diversion"
 ssI do not care to see them. thank Tou.v Myra Thornhill replied, moving toward the stairs. tsHe is very dear friend of my father.n She passed up and out of sight.
 Miss Norton turned away from the fire. and MT. Magee rose hastily to follow He stood close behind her. gazing down at her golden hair, shim- mering in the dark.
 I've just been thinking" he said lightly. what an absolutely ridiculous figure I must be in your eyes. buzzing round md round like bee in bottle end getting nowhere at all. Listen-no one has left the inn. While they stay there's hope Am I not to have one more chance-a chance to prove to you how much carer
 She turned, and even in the dusk he saw that her eyes were wet.
 4sDb don't know I dousf knoxu.,' she whispered I'm not angry any more. I'm just at sea- I don't know what to tIlinI-what to do. Why try any lonaars think I'll go away-and give up-r
 .sYou mustn't So that, urged Ma gee