The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-01-16


 He handed the open book to the po- licenan.
 ''Are these imprints similar to mine or M. Tarzan's? Gan you say that they are identical with either?'
 The of1ced drew a powerful glass from his desk and examined all three specimens carefully, making notations, meanwhile upon pad of paper.
 Tarzan realized now what was the meaning of their visit to the police of fcer.
 The answer to his lffe's riddle lay i'd these tiny marks.
 With tense nerves he sat leaning for ward in his chair. / 2 Presently the police officer spoke. S 'Gentlenaen,' he said.
 Both turned toward him sAsfs
 s.There is evidently a great deal at stake which must hinge to a greater or lesser extent upon the absolute cor redtness of this comparison. T there fore ask that you leave the entire mat ter in my hands until our expert re- turns.''
 B ..I had hoped to know at once," said D'Arnot. pM. Tarzan sails for Ameri- ca tomorrow,
 q will promise that you can cable him report within two weeks" re spIfed Affh the ofHcer . !asNkaIs ft will be I dare not say. There are resemblances, yet-well, we had better leave it for M. Leblanc to solve"
 
 A taxicab drew up before an old fashioned residence upon the outskirts Of Baltimore.
 A man of about forty, well built and with strong, regular features, stepped .opt and paying the chauffeur dismissed him -s z
 A moment later the passenger was entering the library of the old home.
 sAh, MT. Can1er!n exclaimed an old man, rising to greet him. 7 sGood evening, my dear professor" cried the man, extending cordial hand. 4 T have come this evening to speak with you about Jane. You know my aspirations, and you have been gen erous enough to approve my suit"
 Professor Archimedes Q. Porter f1dgeted in his armchair. The subject always made him uncomfortable. He could not understand why Canler was ajspIendid match.
 ssBut Jane,'' continued Canler. tI cannot understand her She puts me off first on one ground and then an other always have the feeling that she breatheS a sigh of relief every lime I bid her goodby.''
 sTut tut, said Professor Porter. s'Tut tut MT Canler. Jane is a most sot5edient daughter. She will do pre- cisely as tell her.''
 Then I can still count on your sup
  marking his voice. Certainly. sir, certainly 2 exclaimed Professor Porter. "How could you doubt it ?''
 sThere is young Clay ton, you know suggested Canler. seHe has been hanging about for months I don't know. that Jane cares for him. But besides his title they say he has in- heFSted very considerable estate from his father. It might not be strange if he finally won her unless'' aE Canler paused.
 '4Tut, tut MT. Canler. Un1ess-what?''
 Unless you see it to request that Jane and I be married at once," said Canler slowly and distinctly. sI have already suggested to Jane that it would be desira ble,'' said Pro lessor Porter sadly, flor we can no longer afford to keep up this house and live as her associations demand"
 What was her reply?'
 tsShe said she was not ready to marry any one yet,' replied Professor Porter; 'sthat we could go and live upon the farm in northern Wisconsin which her mother left her. It is a lit tie more than self supporting. The ten ants have always made living from it and have been able to send Jane a trffe reach year.
 sssshe is planning our going up there the first of the week. Phi1ander and MT. Clayton have already gone to get things in readiness for us.''
 Clayton has gone therer' exclaimed Canler. visibly chagrined ssWhy was not told? I would gladly have gone and seen that every comfort was pro Seided."
 seJane feels that we are already too much in your debt, MT. Canler," said Professor Porter.
 Canler was about to reply when the sound of footsteps came from the hall without, and Jane Porter entered the room.
 "oh, I beg your pardonY' she ex- claimed, pausing on the threshold. s1 thought you were alone, papa. ''4sss
 .1t is only I, Jane,'' said Can1er, who had risen. Wont you come in and join the group? We were just speak ing Of you.''
 4Thank you" said Jane, entering and taking the. chair Can1er placed for her. 4<I only wanted to tell papa that Tobey has come down from the college to pack his books.'' I,;r q, professor. Excuse me just moment 2 And the old man hastened from the room.
 AS soon as he was out of earshot Canler turned. to Jane Porter
 "see here, Jane,'' he said bluntay, tshow long is this thing to go on like this? You haven't refused to marry me, but you haven't promised either. e | nit fn get ffac license ff1rlnnt.r.c11,