The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-03-06


 2 mind telling me why you aDandoned me so completely, so heartlessly, on the day we 1anded?"
 Because there was no reason why should act otherwise, MT. Schmidt, '' she said, the tremor gone from her voice.
 And yet you take me to St. Cloud for tea,'' he said pointed1y.
 "tAh, but no one is to know of this, g she cried warmly ttThis is a secret, a very secret adventure.'' He could not help staring. And I that is just why I am mystiied. Why is today so very different from yester- day?"
 @It isn't" she said. Doesn't all this prove it?''
 He suddenly remembered the baron's | shrewd conjecture and let the oppor- tunity to say something bana1 go by l without word. Perhaps it was test, after all.
 "There are many things want to speak about, MT. Schmidt, and-and you know how impossible it is toto get a moment to oneself when one is being watched like child, as am be- ing watched over by dear Mrs. Gas ton. You will understand, won't you?'' "Pray do not distress yourself, Miss 1 GuiIe,''. he protested. teThe last word 1 is spoken. I am too happy to spoil the day by doubting it's integrity. l As the the car turned into the Bou- 1evard des Capucines Robin suppress i ed an exclamation of annoyance on be- holding Baron Gourou and Dank | standing on the curb almost within arms length of the car as it passed. The former was peering rather in tently at the two men on the front seat and evinced little or no interest in the occupants of the passing ton l neau.
 Wasn't that your friend MT Dank ?'' inquired Miss Guile with interest. He 1 felt that she was chiding him. "Yes,'' said he, and then turned for another look at his compatriots. Gou- rou was jotting something down on his cuff band. The prince mentally promised him something for his pains. ssBut let us leave dull care behind,' he went on gay1y.
 Wont you be good enough to take off that veil? It seriously obstructs the view"
 She complacentIy shook her head It doesn't obstruct mine, she said. Have you been reading what the pa pers are saying about your friend Mir Blithers and his obstreperous .daugh- ter, Maud?''
 Robin caught his breath. In flash he suspected an excellent reason for keeping the veil in place. He could now see that it gave her a distinct ad- vantage over him.
 'fYes. I see that she positively de nies the whole business
 Likewise the prospective spouse,'' she added. Isn't it sickening?"
 By the way, it is reported that she crossed on the steamer with us."
 'I am quite certain that she did, MT. Schmidt = said she.
 "You really think so?" he cried, re- gardfng her keenly, 1 'sThe man who came to meet me knows her quite well. He is confident that he saw her at Cherbourg.'' E
 q see,'' said he, and was thoroughly convinced. 'I may as well confess to you, Miss Guile, that also know her when I see her''
 '.But you told me positively that you ! had never seen her, MT. Schmidt, she said quickly.
 CT had not seen her up to the second day out on the Jupfter,'' he explained, enjoying himself immensely.
 .sIt was after that that you"- t1 know" he said, as she hesitated, ebut you see I didn't know she was Miss Blithers until sometime after had met you" There was a challenge in his manner amounting almost to a declaration.
 She leaned forward to regard him more intentIy.
 suspect me of being that horrid, vul- f1yrc Robin was not to be trapped. There was something in the shadowy eyes that warned him. "At least I may say that I do not suspect you of being horrid, vulgar creature,'' he said evasiveIy. ~You haven't answered my question. MT. Schmidt
 Well" he began slowly, 'tI don't suspect you of being Miss B1ithers."
 "But you did suspect it." fI was pleasantly engaged in specu- 1ation, that's all It is generally be l Ifeved that Miss B1ithers sailed under l an assumed name-literally, not fig ! urativeIy.'' VI
 ''Is there any reason why you should | imagine that my name is not Guile ?''
 ''Yes. Your luggage is resp1endentIy marked with the second letter in the | alphabet-a gory, crimson B" q see," she said collectively. 'You examined my luggage, as they say in the customs office. And you couldn't put B and G together, is that it?'' | Obviously"
 "If you had taken the trouble to look you would have found an equally resp1endent G on the opposite end of 1 each and every trunk, MT. Schmidt" !" she said quietly. CTo Be Co11tinued.) 1 MASONIC NOTES