The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-12-19
(Continued from yesterday.)
Marcia.

Marcia.
 Looking out into the night was Marcia.
 Pole in hand. I moved out from the window in which I had been standing and looking up, placed a finger on my lips. She saw me. An instant later she was on her knees, her face at the window opening.
 "JohnI' she exclaimed.
 Hush!' cautioned, Then I placed pole against the house, and in ea moment my face was lever with hers. 1 threw my arms over the win dow-ledge; for 'the firs5 'tdme our lips met
 "Oh. John. how glad I am that you have come, But John. why do you come in this strange way? And "I climbed up the quickest way" I said tamely. And, my dear girl, 1t has been raining this evening; that
 She put out a soft hand and patted NMarcia. dear" I whispered. "open the window wider"
 ''I can't" she replied. Uncle has had rails driven in so that it won't go up any farther"
 "Then We must find some way to break it, so that I can get you out of
 ''Yes.'' she replied to my astonish. mont. 'isn't it horrible? I wasn't Willing to come at aII till Banks said that uncle'S life might depend on it."
 What do you mean, Marcia % I demanded. Tell me just what hap pened.'
 Last evening, after dinner, I went dor a. little stroll on our shore There was strange Eaotor boat in our har- ! her. and walked out on the dock to IIpd out what it was doing there Ranks was on the breakwater He told me that uncle was very feeble hnd very sorry that he had so long secluded himself, and that he wanted to see me He said uncIe's life might depend on my coming across with hln1 at once. Ee would not even let me go back to the house, but prom ised to telephone Aunt Eva as soon as we got to Morton's Point He was sc urgent that I got into the boat ftaced across
 When we got here. Banks brought Alrs- BuckinSham to me. She told mo that tuncle was sleeping, and she would not disturb him So she brought me to this room and asked me to stay overnight. It seems that, time, they think he may get well, Banks went to the telephone and called up Aunt Eva. heard him ex- So stayed.
 ''This morning. Mrs. Buckingham brought my breakfast and said that uncle while he insisted on dressing and moving about, was not quite in his right mind and she could not risk his seeging me just then.
 She asked me to remain in this
  that uncle might come upon mo somewhere about the house I agreed and promised to keep the door fas- Sened, as she suggest ed.''
 saw l must make Marcia aware of our situation. At the same time must rot frighten her
 e'Niarcia," l said, "is your door Rocked on this side. now?"
 Yes" she replied
 "Then go and unlock ft. and open at and don't be aIarned-above all. dcn't be alarmed at anything"
 She crossed the room. I heard her Surin the key and tumble wtah the Knob Soon she came back to the
 Its locked on the outside. What does it Inean?" she asked.
 Marcia your uncle is a, very sick He doesn't know what he does. Two bad men and wicked woman have got possession Of him and are taking his money,'
 Marcia started
 These same persons had persuad ed you to come here in the hope of getting money from you!" claLmed
 Marcia. it is true There isn't sfme to explain. We are in danger. We must find a way for you to leave the house"
 Marcia was tremblinEy
 NOW l said, Took quickly at the nails that hold the window, and tell ne if they are too tight for you to pun out"
 She tugsed at the nails.
 She went across to the dresser and returned with aa shoe horn. Desper- ately she worked but the nails were long and the wood into which they had been dr-ven was tough The job was too hard for her slim fingers.
 There was 10 way for il but to
 well" I ss,jd. q am going to leave you for few moments As soon as ! glass. Then wajc. If any one comes to find out what the matter Is. tell them thaS chair tel1 against the window Don't Y2locoR the door. Say that you have retired"
 l slid to the gl Cund ana took my pole over among the trees There was a crash, and the pieces of glass came tinkEng to the ground below.
 I waited. In a few moments I heard Merck, call out. ''Yese Isl khat you Mrs. Buckingham Why. I dow. l sha'n't mind. it's warm what? Can't you wat ill rnornIng- well. TN get ready as fast as l can fifteen minutes-yeS-"
 She came oyer to the wind ow and oeckoned- I went over with 1ly poe. end again mounted to the ledge
 Come,' I whispered Climb over The ledge, put your arms around my neck, and hang on"
 She got to the sill, and I felt her dear arms over my shoulders.
 was bout to lower myself. with my burden. when of . sudden heard a crunch of footsteps on the gravel Of the driveway