The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-07-19
tcontinued from last Saturday,

"
 before telling Betty and her husband of the miracle that had happened. he decided that he would go to Batn- bridse and have 1t out with his ne- phew and Eva. He had heard enough from Betty to guess pretty accurately what they had been doing with his property and he thought it was time now to call a halt.
 The short Journey being accom- plished he was surprised to find his house rented Co strangers. Inquiry brought forth the information that Mir and Mrs Knight had taken q house in New York They gave the old man the address to which they mailed their rent check and he i'm mediately started for that city, stop ping only long enough to send tele- gram to Betty telling her not to worry about him. that he would re- turn in few days.
 On reaching New York he gave the address to tho taxi driver and was set down at his destination almost before he could realize it. That a dinner party was fin progress made no difference tO the old gentleman. A deathliltc silence fell upon the startled guests, and every eye was turnvd in his direction. To the guests it was a most surprising inter ruptiOn to an already peculiar din ner. But to Rertram and Eva it was the arnihilaton of all their dreams. the downfall of all their schemes. The "old fooT' had come back-and could speak,
 Then Eva spoke. She would fight to the bitter end. Perhaps she could yet save the day.
 q am sorry that this has happen ed" she said. fin a low. but distinct voice. "It is really most unfortun- ate and so very cad. IT you will ex- cuse me and Mir. Knight a few mo- ments we will talSe care of him. He is n distant relative that we have been taking care of. His brain was affected by financial 1osses---"
 The guests. taking the hint. had begun to rise but, unfortunately for Eva, Rufus Knight had heard her clever explanation.
 stop! Remain at the table for a moment. I will not be long" he said in stern voice, n voice that com Inanded obedience.
 Then he turned 10 his nephew.
 'Bertram, you are the most wicked and cruol man I ever knew! You lied and played the hypOcrite to me when was well and you robbed me when l was helpless"
 Uncle. is there any need for us to keep these strangers here while we go into family affairs?"
 'Yos. l choose to take them into my confidence" he replied and placed his back to the closed door. Facing the mystihed, whispering guests he went on:
 Listen! want to tell you a story and ask your ndvice---"
 Please let me pass,' said Eva haughtily as she tried to brush the old man aside. T do not care to stay and discuss private affairs before these people,
 "I cannot help that You are go- ing Co stay" the old man grimly an swercd.
 Eva slunk into chair. she did not lift her eyes from tho floor but sat there nervously p1eatfuE a fiounce on her dress with hor fingers
 That man is my nephew" Rufus 7 Knight went on, pointing to Bert rams crimson face. "I brought him up as a son. l had plenty of money and denied him nothing within reason. When he married his wife l. belicv- ing her to be a well bred girl dauEh- tor of a brave officer in the army. gave them a home and took her to my heart. How did they repay me ? By lying about my only daughter and lseparatinE us by their foul faSsehoods. also discovered that my nephew had taken his wife from a barroom, or a place that amounted to the same thing, that her father was a poor iaboring man whom she had disown- ed and her mother an ignorant wom- an of no breeding or culture
 "Bertram. make that old idiot keeT quiet" missed Eva.
 Uncle Rufus. you are not fair. it'' mean and cruel for you to tel such -
 "Silence." roard the old man. Then fin caimer tone he went on: co am going to tell them all about you l want them to advise me what Is th' Ebest thing to do with you" Turning to the guests he went on with hi! story, telling of his accident, how h. had been taken to the almshouse. anC - how his nephew and his precious wifi had woven q net of lies to keep hin Ahere When he reached this par of the story there were murmur from the men and women listening full of scorn and loathing.
 "Such a dissraceful story!" whis pered one lady to another.
 As Mr. Knight went on. tellini how the dishonest pair refused to giv up Q penny of the money to give hin the little comforts his daughter wa not able to purchase for him, hoy ,fhey had squandered it in all sort of luxuries on themselves and evei now, that very night, had tried t claim he was insane, the indignation of the company knew no bounds.
 "If I were you. Mir. Knight" ex rlaimed Mir Vandevere, "I shoul take legal action at once. As fo myself. I am heartily ashamed tha ever came here and accepted tn hospitality of such scoundrels"
 There were murmurs Of assen from the other diners who began | move toward the door.
 'I shall not keep you any longer thank you for your attention t my story. think this gentleman advice was sound but 1t comes owe me now that I am too old to figh That would not cure my sorrow an disappodntment that my conf1denc and love have been betrayed, no
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