The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-06-12
THIS BEGINS THE STORY
By GEORGE GIBBS

THIS BEGINS THE STORY
 Peter NichOlaevitch, Russian Grand Duke, exiIed by revolution, comes to this country as Peter ~ Nichols and goes to work on the estate of Jonathan K. Mcclure. Mcclure is being blacIzmaiIed by one Jim Coast, alias Hawk Ken nedy. Kennedy says Mcclure murdered man named Cameron a father of Beth Cameron, a girl in at the village. Mcclure says Ken nedy did the killing. Peter be- ET Heves Mcclure and resolves to circumvent Kennedy. Mcclure doesn't know Beth Cameron is the daughter of the man killed in the i. West. Peter, in love with Beth, resolves that while he protects McGuire he will also win for Beth what is rightly due her. He tells -- the girl he wants her.
 AND HERE TT CONTINUES sa What did he mean? She wasn't sure of him. If marriage was what he meant, why didn't he say so? Mar riage. It was such an easy word to say. Her fingers struggled in his. .Ee Please, MT. Nicho1s,' she gasped. You mean that you won't-that you don't care enough-?' Pm not sure of you" IT love you, Beth-'' s-E'fYou say so-'
 '1 do-better than anything in the world
 Enough to-enough to *?'' She was weakening fast She felt her danger in the trembling of her fingers in his. Why didn't he finish her question for her? Marriage. It was such a little word. And yet he evaded it and sh saw that he meant to evade it.
 Enough to havs you almost in my arms and yet hardly to touch you enough to have your lips within reach of mine and yet not to take them. Isn't that what you wanted, Beth :? Gentleness, tenderness-''
 She flung away from him desper- ately.
 +No-no. want nothing-noth- ing. Please! You don't want to un- she found her boise. Things must be as they are Nothing else. It's getting late, I must go.''
 ''Beth-Not yet. Just a minute NO"
 But she did not go and only stood still, trembling with irresoIution. He knew what she wanted him to say. There could be no middle ground for Beth. She must be all to him or noth- ing Marriage. It was the Grand Duke Peter NichoIaevitch who had evaded this very moment while Peter Nichols had urged him to it. And it was Peter Nichols who knew that any words spoken of marriage to Beth Cameron would be irrevocable, the Grand Duke Peter Gan opportunist) who urged him to utter them, care less of consequences. And there stood Beth adorable in her perp1exity, con- turing both of him to speak.
 It was Peter Nichols who met the
 
 pride, culture, vaing1ory and hypOc- risy. This was his mate, a sweeter lady than any he had ever known.
 ''Beth," he whispered. ''I love you. Nothing in the world makes any diff ference to me but your happiness"
 He came to her and caught her in his arms, while she still struggled away from him. '1 want you It doesn't matter who I am or who you are. I want you to-
 Beth suddenly sprung away from him, staring at a figure which stood in the doorway as strident, highly pitched voice cut in sharply on Pe- ter's confession.
 "Oh, excuse me! I didn't mean to intrude-"
 It was Miss Peggy Mcclure in her cerise veil and her sport suit, with hard eyes somewhat scanda1ized by what she had seen, for Peter was sta anding awkwardly, his arms empty of their prize. who had started back in dismay and now stood with diffi- culty recovering her self-possesSion As neither of them spoke Miss Mo Guire went cuttingly. as she glanced curiously aroundthecabin-
 ''So this Is where you live? I seen to have spoiled your party. And may I ask who" and her eyes travelled scornfuIly over Beth's figure, begin H,A, o6 nr16i 1o, flushed face-'I think I've seen yor before-"
 Miss McGuire,' said Peter quietly this is Miss Cameron---'
 "Oh yes-the kitchen maid"
 Miss Beth Cameron" insisted Pc the honor of promising to marr! me-
 Beth stared from one to the other aware of the meaning of the visitor manner and of Peters reply That Is not true.' she said yer. quietly 'I come here often. MT Nichols Is teaching me music. I an very proud of his friendship. But did not promise to marry him"
 Peggy Mcclure turned on her heel
 well, it's almost time you did she said insultingly.
 Peter. now pale and cold with fury reached the door before her and stoot blocking the passageway. Miss Nc Guire. Tn trouble you to be nor careful in addressing my guests h said icily.
 Let me pass-
 'In a moment"
 You'd dare-?"
 s.I would like you to understand that this cabin is mine-whiIe I an in Black Rock Any guest here come at my Imitation and honors me by ac sf fcepting my hospitality But I reserv the privilege of saying who shall com and who shall not I hope l mak myself c1ear- And Peter bowe r,oOr-ed aside