The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-05-17

and telling them of the change in the
orders. They We're to wait until the
company upon the portico went in
doors and then, with Jesse in COM
nand, they were to take new stations
in trees and clumps of bushes which
Peter designated much nearer the
house. The men eyed his dinner
Jacket with some curiosity and not
little awe, and Peter informed them
that it was the old mans order and
that he, Peter, was going to keep
watch from inside the house. but that
a blast from a whistle would fetch
him out He also warned them that
it was McGuire's wish that none of
the visitors should be aware of the
well og, Peggy was using her as a
should be no false alarms
Curiously enough Peter found Nc
CURE in a state very nearly border
ing on calm. He had had a drink.
He had not heard the shots Peter had
fired nor apparently had any of the
regular occupants of the house. The
visitors had possibly disregarded
them. From the pantry came a sound
with which Peter was familiar, for
Stryker was shaking the cocktails.
And when the ladies came downstairs
the two men on the portico came in
and Peter was presented to the 9TH
ers of the party, Miss Deleplane, Mr..
Cuttings and Mr.. Mordaunt- The
daughter of the house examined Pet
er's clothing and then, having appar-
emily revised her estimate of him, be-
came almost cordial. bidding him sit
next Miss Delaplane at table.
Mildred Delaplane was still, hand
some, dark and aqui1ine, and made a
foil for Peggy's blond prettiness. Pet
err thought her a step above Peggy
in the cultural sense, and only learn
ed afterward that as she was not very
well off, Peggy was using her as a
rung in the social ladder. Mordaunt,
Peter didn't fancy. but Cuttings. who
was jovial and bald, managed to in
ject some life into the party, which,
despite the effect of the cocktails,
seemed rather weary and HstIess.
Mcclure sat rigidly at the head of
the table, forcing smiles and glancing
uneaSily at doors and wind owS. Peter
was worried, too, not as to himself,
but as to any possible connection that
there might be between the man with
the dark mustache and the affairs of
Jonathan MCGUIRE. Mildred Della
plane, who had Travelled in Europe in
ante-bellum days. found much that
was interesting in Peters fragmen-
tary "reminiscences. Sc knew music,
too, and in an unguarded moment
Peter admitted that he had studied.
1t was difficult to lie to women, he
had found.
And so, after dinner, that inforrna-
ton having transpired, he was i'm
mediately led to the piano stool by
his hostess, who was frequently bias
ed in her social judgments by Mildred
Delaplane.
Peter played Cyril SCOTS Song
From the East" and then. sure of
Miss Delaplane's interest, an Etude
of Scriabine, an old favorite of his
which seemed to express the mood of
the moment.
And all the while he was aware of
Jonathan Mcguire, seated squarely in
the middle of the sofa which COM
manded all the windows and doors,
with one hand at his pocket, scowling
and alert by turns, for. though the
night had fallen slowly, it was now
pitch black outside. Peter knew that
Mcguire was thinking he hadn't hired
his superintendent as a musician to
entertain his daughters guests, but
that he was powerless to interfere.
Nor did he wish to excite the repro
baton of his daughter by going up
and locking himself in his room. Peg
gy, having finished her cigarette with
again and was now leaning over the
piano, her gaze fixed, like Mildred's
upon Peters mobile fingers.
You're really too wonderful a su-
perintendent to be quite true" said
Peggy when Peter had finished. but
do give us a rag"
Fer shook his head. I'm sorry,
but [ can't do ragtime"
Quit your kiddingi I want to
dance
I'm not-er-kidding," said Peter.
laughing. ct can't play it at all-not
at all"
Peggy gave him a look, shrugged
and walked to the door.
Fred die-e," she called
Peter rose from the piano-stooI and
crossed to MCGUIRE. The mans cigar
was unsmoked and tiny heads of
sweat stood out on his forehead
81 don't think you need worry, SIR
whispered Peter. 1.-The men are all
around the house. but if you say, I'll
go out for another look around"
NO matter. I'll stick it out for a
while"
You're better off here than any
where. I should say. No one would
dare"
Here Freddy at the piano struck
up Mary and further conversation
was drowned in commotion Mil
bred Delaplane was pre-empted by
ing alone toward Peter, arms extend
ed, tn" Passion for the dance out
weight 2 other prejudices.
Peter took a turn. but four years
of war lad done little to improve his
steps.
I'm afraid all my dancing is in
my fingers he muttered
Suddenly, as Freddy Mordaunt
paused. Peggy stopped and lowered
her arms.
Good Lord.' she gasped. Whats
the matter with. pop?"
Mcguire had risen unsteadily and
was peering out into the darkness
the window opposite him, his
face pallid, his lips drawn into a thin
line. Peggy ran to him and caught
him by the arm.
What is it. pop? Are you sick
.N-no matter Just a bit upset. If
you don't mind. daughter, think TIL
be going up"
Can do anything?"