The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-12-02


 Beyond that accident of chance '' she replied, ''I do not recognize you.''
 Where's Donald?'' hezasked.
 t'He is, I hope, on his way to South America. If knew exactly where l should not tell @you::''=.sss
 Smead laughed. Well you are vast ing your time. He has lied to us all neatly. He went away with the gems slowed in his pocket. Fine reforma- ton thati'' =, zs*
 "That is not true"
 And who might you be?" inquired Smead coldly.
 q am Donald's wife," answered Frances.
 He appraised her critically.
 'sDidsyou eVer hear of the emeralds : of the Princess Xenia, so cal1ed?" add ed Smead. He could at least twist their hearts a. bit if nothing more.
 9FYes. He left a note for me-" inter rupted Diana, telling me what he did with them .s.,.s.:ss s.as.t@
 .sAnd if he has g.thes jewels he has certain rights ito. them. They were mine,'' said Frances.
 "Yours2 Stole them from you, his wife ?'' saids Smead.=
 Perhaps hesexonly took them she modified.
 "Au men are not rogueS.
 ''Mr. Smead,'' said Diana, ''I was born at sea, and my mother was buried at sea- And while she lay dying in the stateroon4 below, calling for you, call ing for you, you told the steward not to bother .you.s You were busy play ing cards in the smokeroom on deck There is a burial at sea between you and me, MT. Smead. These are the last words I shall<eyers speak to =you.'''
 Cranford stepped to the door and opened it. -.SSsa.
 Right about face, with never a glance back, into the open, down the path to the dock went Smead.
 @Simmons," said the very old man, tsI hate that man greater than all the hatreds in my life combined, yet what a son-in-law he would have made born rightr'
 T am tired. and my arm aches,' said Diana.
 "Grandchild, I am a very old, very lonely man. have brought my pride to you and laid it at your feet. If your mother had come to me at any time God is witness would have talk en her in my arms, But she was proud, too proud to admit that her judgment was wrong and miss was right l want young people in my house. want to hear laughter. music, coming and going. want the ghosts driven out of it's corners"
 "Grandfather, I am going to marry the man love, whatever he says"
 "Mr. Wynne," said Cranford, 'sI have but little, yeti believe that little will suffice. I could not live on my .Wife's bounty.''A
 %t<-I,< n have. Why wastef all tlais time ?sss. 1,
 'Letaus eompronafse; r, interpOsed the suave Simmons Small birthday and Christmas gifts and Thursdays and Sundays to dine at MT. Wynne's" rS
 Diana, looked up. at !Cranford,. and he looked down at her.
 Then they both laughed, and the grandfather laughed. and Simmons cackled, and the young woman with the tragic eyes smiled. .t
 .aTo that we agree said Cranford.
 And then Uncle. Billy came rushing into the parlor.
 ..Hey; Miss Wynne, got 'emt.s
 From under his arm he took the gray cotton castings and shook forth the butts of two rods.
 With trembling fingers he unscrewed the caps. "A silvery cascade poured into Diana's hp-pearls, pearls, pearlsI
 sHThat was the wall I could not get over. knew not how they were go- ing to gmugg1e them in. Gran, these belonged to Frances mother. Uncle Sam has had his tithes long ago. But If you had stumbled upon them earlier you would have had to. report them, and they might have been conffscated."
 Diana" said the wife, The meant it."
 "Of course he did! Uncle Billy ?"
 ''Huh?='
 ''Mr. Cranford and are going to be married this afternoon" /
 And MT. sCranford,'' said the owner of that name, desires the pleasure of your company as best man."
 By jfngst' exclaimed Uncle Billy 'sWhut d'y' know bout that?''
 Diana took Cranford's hand and laid it against her cheek and stared out of the window through the late Septem- ber haze toward Pidgin island.
 ,''Loveri' she whispered.
 THE END.