The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-06-28
CHAPTER XXIII
A Visitor

time to say it in. For Beth, admon- ished that the patient must be kept quiet, and torn between joy at Peter S promised recovery and pity for his pale face, could only look at him and murmur soothing phrases, while Peter merely smiled and held her hand. But that, it seemed, was enough, for Beth read in his eyes that what had hap pened had merely set an enduring seal upon the affection of both of them.
 With the promise that she could see him again on the morrow, Beth went back to her room. She had wanted to return to the village, but McGuire had insisted upon her stay ing where she was under the care of the doctor until what they were pleas ed to call the shock of her system had yielded to medical treatment. Beth said nothing. She was already her self and quite able to take up her life just where she had left it. but she agreed to stay in McGuire's house. 1t seemed to make him happier when she acquiesced in his wishes. Be sides, it was nice to be waited on and to be next to the room where the con valescent was.
 But the revelation as to Peters identity could not be long delayed. Brierly had brought the tale back from the lumber camp, and the village was all agog with excitement. But Beth had seen no one but MT. Nc Guire and Aunt Tillie, and Peter had requested that no one should tell her but himself And so in day or so when Beth went into Peters room she found him with a color in his cheeks, and wearing a quizzical smile.
 1I thought you were never coming, Beth." he said.
 T came as soon as they'd let me, Peter. Do you feel stronger?"
 Every hour. Better when you're here And you?"
 "Oh, I'm all right
 He looked at her with his head on one side.
 Do you think you could stand hearing something very terrible about me, Beth?'
 She glanced at him anxiously and then smile of perfect faith respond ed to his. She knew that he was getting well now, because this was touch of his old bunlor.
 "H-m. I guess so. I don't believe it can be so very terrible, Beth.''
 But the pressure of his fingers was req assuring.
 -ss'I'm- listenin'," she said --"Twen, you know, you told me once that you'd marry me no matter what I'd been|
 'Yes. meant that, Peter. mean it now It's what you are-'
 Peter Nichols chuckled. It was his last chuckle as Peter Nichols.
 Well, I'm not what you thought was. I've been acting under false colors-under false pretenses. My name isn't Peter Nichols It's Peter Nichola aevitch-
 linen you are all Russian!'' she said.
 Peter shook his head.
 NO. Only half of me. Nut used to live in Russia-at a place called Zukovo. The thing I wanted to tell you was that they fired me out be- cause they didn't want me there."
 You. Hoy dared they! I'd like to give them a piece of my mind," said Beth indignantly.
 It wouldn't have done any good. I tried to do that
 And wouldn't they listen?"
 NO. They burned my-my house and tried to shoot me"
 "OhI How could they!' And then. gently, "Oh, Peter. You have had troubles, haven't you?"
 "I don't mind. If I hadn't had them, I wouldn't have come here and wouldn't have found you"
 So after all, ought to be glad they did fire you out" she said gently.
 But aren't you curious to know why they did ?''
 T am. if you want to tell me, but even if it was bad, don't care what you did, Peter-'
 He took her fingers to his lips.
 ''It wasn't so very bad, after all, Beth. It wasn't so much what I did as what my-er-nny family had done that made them angry
 Peter laughed softly.
 Well, you weren't responsible for what your kinfolks did,
 They seemed to think so. My-er my kinfollzs were mixed up in poli- tics in Russia and one of my cousins had pretty big job-too bug a job for him and that's the truth A cloud passed for a moment over Pete's face and he looked away.
 But what did his job have to do with your" she asked.
 Well, you see, we were all mixed l up with him, just by being related at least that's what the people | thought. And so when my cousin did a lot of things the people thought he l oughtn't to do and didn't do a lot of other things that they thought he ought to have done. they believed that 1 was just the same sort of man that | he was" |
 How unjust. Peter"
 He smiled at the ceiling.
 'I thought so. I told them what 2 thought I did what I could to | straighten things out and to help them. | but they wouldn't listen. Instead they | burned n=--my house down and | had to run away
 How terrible for you," And then. | after a pause, Was it a pretty house | Peter?"
 ''Yes." he replied slowly. it was. A | very pretty house-in the midst of l forest, with great pines all about it | wish they hadn't burned that house, l Beth. because I loved it.
 Poor dear. I'm so sorry
 "I thought you would be, because | it was a big house, with pictures. | b looks, music"
 "An burned, Lands sakes alive |
 And wonderful grand piano."
 ''Oh, Peter and then with a flash | of joy. But you're goin' to have an- other grand piano just like it soon" |
 Who's give tO !