New Britain herald., 1920-11-11

instance the track was a particularly narrow gauge one.
 Tim threw me a beseeching glance.
 'Twasn't no farm, major" he said, shrinking from the tall officer. whose long, sinewy hand was outstretched toward his coat collar. The lady Il tell you it wasn't no harm.'
 That makes no difference" The hand was frightened on the coat collar now. You had your orders from me You have chosen to violate them. Now you will take the consequences. come along
 For a panic-stricken second or two I thought Maj. Grantland meant to infiict physical punishment upon the man before my eyes. Then l saw that he was simply impelling him toward the door. and I guessed that the destination of the luckless taxi driver was the nearest jail. I had sur missed before that the secret of Hugh Grantland's held over the man was the knowledge he probably possessed of Tim's peocadilloes. Curiously enough. in the actual consummation of the thing he had feared, Tim ap- peared to lose the terror of Hugh Grantland which he had exhibited all through his interview with me.
 "I guess I'm the goat. all right. all right" he said. with rough bravado. You tell me if I come near the lady you'll put me in stir. and the dame. she hands me the same spiel if I don't deliver her letter for her. so whats n fellow to do? And if have to do a stretch. I'd rather do it because Of obcying her than you she's better looking
 Mai. GrantIand's Demand.
 He rrinned impudentIy as he spoke. and wondered at his temcrity-Hugh temper is not to bc wan tonly aroused without risk-but the officer. though he paused at, Tim's words and looked at hi msearchingly. gave no evidence of anger.
 "So--sbe, too. had something on you.' he said grimly. Well. that ex- plains things somewhat" He paused n moment collectively. then spoke sharply.
 where is the letter? Give 1t to nc"
 Tim looked at me with evident re- lief at being able to shift responsibil- ity.
 Tho lady has it." he said.
 With dexterous movement Maj. Grantland showed him into a chair.
 "I don't thirk I need to tell you to stay there" re said meaningly.
 You don't - Tim answered dryly.
 braced myself for the demand I was sure would come next from Hugh GrantIa nd's lips. And I was not mis- taken. He strode toward me. tower ing above my chair, holding out his hand.
 "I cannot tell you how humiliated am that this thing has happened" he
 nN1 hnt x-ntr should not be subjected to any annoy ance because of that woman. and here you have actually been given a letter from her. Let me have it please. and I will deal with the matter"
 Thankful. indeed, was I that when he had entered the room I had swift y. unobtrusively crushed the letter nto a pocket in my gown. I knew him to be ruthless where what he his duty was concerned, xnew that he was perfectly capable of aking the letter from either my hand ,r hand bag if he should make up his mind it was to my Interest for him to 10 so.
 Madge Hesitates.
 But though I owed Hugh Grantland 'or my life, though knew that I had no friend in all the world more single-minded, more devoted to my happiness than he. yet had a sudden reluctance to give him the letter pleading for pardon which Grace Draper had sent me.
 What I meant to do with the letter, whether or not I should grant the plea of the girl who had wrought me was so much evil, I had as yet no idea. But one thing I realized clearly: The matter of pardoning Grace Draper must lie between myself and another other person was