The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-03-23
{Contirmed.l

6oont1nned-l
 aI don't know I replied truthfu11y. still searching for her. "Does 1t seem so to you2"
 "Yes."
 'Then must be looking in the right direction, z cried fmpolitely. sYou must be- Ahl''
 My straining eyes had located small, oblong blotch in the curve of the tower not more than twenty feet from where I stood, and on direct line with my balcony. True, could not at first see face, but as my eyes grew a little more accustomed to the darkness. I fancied I could distinguish a shadow that might pass for one.
 sI didn't know that little window was there,'' cried, puzzled.
 Ut isn't, she said. "It is a secret loophole. and it isn't here except in times of great duress. See, can close it!' The oblong blotch abruptly dis appeared, only to reappeaf an instant later. I was beginning to understand Of course 1t was in the beleaguered east wing. q hope didn't startle you a moment ago.
 resolved to be very stiff and for ma1 about it May I inquire, madam. what you are doing in my hou--nay GAS tle?',
 You may
 Well. said I. seeing the point, .swhat are you doing here s1 i. sI am living here,a she answered dis tfnctly.
 .sso perceive, said I. rather too dis
 .sAndI have come down to ask a simple, tiny little favor Of you, AEr. Smart. she resumed.
 You know my nameT' cried, sur prised.
 .I am reading your last book Are you going
 .sJust q moment. p1ease,c called out, struck by aIsplendid idea Reach ing inside the window. I grasped the lanthorn and brought it's rays to bear upon the perfectly blank wall stared open mouthed and unbelIeying- .sGood heaven Have I been dreaming all this ? cried aloud
 My gaze fell upon two tiny holes in the wall, exposed to view by the bright light of my lamp. They appeared to | be precisely in the center of the spot so recently marked by the elusive Oblong. l Even as I stared at the holes g slim object that at once recognized as a finger protruded from one of them and wigg1ed at me in a merry but exceed ingIy irritating manner Sensib1y restored the lanthorn to it's place inside the window and waited for the mysterious voice to resume.
 .sAre you so homely as all fthat2 demanded when the shadowy face looked out once more. Very clever of me. thought,
 sT am considered rather good look l ing,'' she replied serenely- Please 1 don't do that again. It was very rude 1 of you, MT. Smart
 AOh, I've seen something of you be l fore t1ais,s l said. You have long, beautiful brown hair-and a dog She was silent AI am sure you will pardon me if l very politely ask who you arel'' l l went on
 i .sThat question takes me back to the favor. will you be so very, very kind 1 as to cease bothering me, Mir Smart It is dreadfulIy upsettng, don't you know, feeling that at any moment you I may rush in and'- l q like that. In my own castle toor'
 rThere is ample room for both of us, she said sharply. .I shan't be here for more than month or six weeks, l and am sure we can get along very l auniably under the same roof for that l length of time if you'll only forget that l am here.''
 .I can't very well do that, madam. l You see, we are making extensive re l pairs about the place, and you are 1 proving to be serious obstacle can not grant your request. It will grieve l me enormously if I am compelled to l smoke you out, but fear
 Smoke me outI' l APerhaps with sulphur I went on resolutely Tt is said to be very eff l fective.''
 .ssurely you will not do anything so l horrid.'
 .sOn1y as last resort. First we shall storm the east wing Failing in that l we shall rely on smoke. You will ad- init that you have no right to poaeh on l my preserves" ssNone whatever" she said rather I plaintfvely.
 can't remember having heard 8 l sweeter voice than hers. Of course by this time I was thoroughly convinced 1 that she was a lady. a cultured, high 1 bred lady. and an American.
 That plaintive note in her voice serv- ed it's purpose. My frmness seemed to dissolve, even as sought to re-en. force 1t by an injection of harshness 1 into my own manner of speech.
 .sThen you should be willing to va. cate my premises -er-or''-he is where I began to show irresoluteness- .sor explain yourself z