The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-04-03
CConttnued from Saturday)

fly on passing the doors below her, and making toward the garret lad der. And then. stifiing a startled lttle cry. her hand closed on the key, and closed. as it had closed on that hrst night when she had returned piece of paper wrapped around the key. The days of isolation were ended with chmacteric effect; the pendulum had swung. full the other way-tonight there was both a visit and a message?
 The paper detached from the key and thrust into her bodice. she stood up quickly. A form, looming up even in the darkness. showed on the garret stairs.
 ''who's dere?" she croaked.
 "It's all right" voice answered in low tones. You were just ahead of me on the street. I saw you come in. It's Pierre"
 Pierre! So that was his name! It was only the voice she recognized. Fferre-Danglar! She fumbled for the keyhole, found 1t. and inserted the key.
 We'll, how's Bertha tonight?''
 There seemed to be a strange ex- hilaration in the mans voice. He was standing beside ner now, close beside her, and now hrs hand played with a curiousIy caressing motion on her shoulder. The touch seemed to scorch and burn her. Who was this Danglar. who was Pierre to her. and to whom she was Bertha? Her breath came quickly in spite of her self: there came. too, a frenzy of aversion, and impulsiveIy she flung his hand away. and with the door un- locked now. stepped from him into the Earret.
 "Feehng a bit off color, eh?" he said with short laugh, as he follow ed her. and shut the door behind him. well, I don't know blame you. But. look here, old girl, have heart! It's not my fault. I know what you're grouching a1bout-it's be- cause I haven't been around much lately. But you ought to know we'll enough that I couldn't help it. Our game has been crinped lately at every turn by that she-devi1, the White Mo1l. and that dude pal of hers" He laughed out again---in savage menace now. 'Tve been busy. Understand, Bertha? It was either ourselves. or them. We've got to go under-or they have. And we won't! promise you that! Things'1l break a little better before long, and I'll make it up to you.'' She could not see him fin the black ness of the garnet. She breathed
 
 see her. Her face, in spite of Gypsy Mans disguisins grfn1e. must be white. white as death itself. It seem- ed to plumb some infamous depth from which her soul recoiled. this apology of his for his neglect of her. And then her hands at her sideA curled into tight-clenched little fists as she strove to control herself. His words. at least. supplied her with her cue.
 "Of course." she said tart1y. but in perfect Engtsh-the vernacular of Gypsy Nan was not for Danglar. for she remembered only too well how once before it had nearly tripped her up. But you didn't come here to apologize! What is it you want? ?'' '.Ah, say. Bertha!" he said ap- peastngly. Cut that outi I couldn't hslp being away. tell you. Of course. didn't come hero to apolo- gize-I thought you'd understand wen enough without that. The gangs out ot cash, and I came to tap the reserves Let me have a package of the long green, Bertha
 It was a moment before she spoke Her woman's instinct prompted her to let down the bars between them in no single degree, that her protec- ton lay in playing up to the full what Danglar. Jumping at conclu
 
 his neglect. Also, her mind worked quickly. Her own c+othes were no longer in the secret hiding place here in the garret; they were out there in that old shed in the lane. It was perfectly safe. then. to let DangLar go to the hiding place him. self assuming that he knew where II was-which, almost of necessity. he must.
 ~Ohi" she said unrra cfouslJ- We'll, you know where it is. don't you? Suppose you go and get it yourselfi"
 'fA1l right" returned Dauglar. sullenness creeping Into his voice. Have if your own way. Bertha! haven't got time tonight to coax you out of your tantrums. That's what you want, but I haven't got time tonight"
 She did not answer.
 A match crackled in Danglar's hand; the flames suprted up through the darkness. Danglar made his way over to the rickety washsta nd, found the candle that was stuck in the neck of the gin bottle. lighted 1t. held the candle above his head. and stared around the garret.
 Why the devil don't you get an- other lan1p?" he grumbled . and started toward the rear of the garret.
 Rhode Gray watched him silently. She did not care to explain that she had not replaced the lamp for the very simple reason that 1t gave far 100 much light here ID the garret to be aafe-for her, She watched him. with her hand in the pocket of her greasy skirt clutched around an- other legacy of Gypsy Nan-her re- . volver. And now she became con Scious that from the moment she had entered the garret, her fingers. hid den in that pocket. had sought and chung to the weapon. The man filled her with detestation and tear; and somehow she feared him more now in what he was trying to make an ingratiating mood, that she had feared him in the full flood of his