The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-05-15
THIS BEGINS THE STORY

by revolution, finds in America job forester on the estate of Jonathan K. Mcclure and is there placed in charge of a body of men whose principal duty ap- pears to be to see to it that no stranger approaches the house by night or day. Mcclure is des- perateIy afraid of somebody or something, Peter knows not what or whom. He finds the guard lax, experiments with it, fools it and shameS it.
 AND HERE IN CONTINUES
 CHAPTER
 New Elements
 Some of the men on guard in the middle watch reported that they had heard what seemed to be the sounds of music very far away in the woods and were disturbed at the trick their ears had played upon them. But Peter didn't tell them the truth. If listening for the notes of piano would keep them awake listen they should He slept until noon and then went to the house for orders.
 Morning seemed to make differ ence in the point of view. If the moon had made the night lovely, the sun brought with it the promise of every good thing. The walk through the woods to Black Rock House was a joy, very slightly aIleviated by the poor condition of the trees under which Peter passed. It was primeval forest even here, with valuable trees stunted and poor ones vastly over grown according to natures law which provides for the survival of the fttest. This was the law. too, which was to be applied to Peter. Would he grow straight and true in this for eign soil gnarled and misshapf like the cedars and the naples that he saw? Yes. He would grow and straight straight.
 Optimism seemed to be the order of the new day. At the house he found that his employer had put on a clean shirt and was freshly shaven. The windows of the room were opened wide to the sunlight which streamed into the room, revealing it's darkest corners. Mcclure himself seemed to - have responded to the effulgence Of the sun and the balmy air which swept across his table. His manner was now calm, his voice more meas ured.
 Mir. Mcclure closed the heavy doors of the steel safe carefully and turned to greet him. "Oh, glad to see you, Nichols" he said more cheerfully- "A quiet night. I understand"
  the man who got through the guards and smoked a cigarette on your DOT tico''
 ''whati" gasped Mcclure.
 Don't be alarmed, sir It was only myself. wanted to show Shad Wells the defects of his police system"
 "Ohi An! Ha. ha, yes. of course. Very good And you weren't shot "Oh. no, sir-though Fr given them leave to pot me if they could. But I think you're adequately pro- tected now"
 Good" said Mcclure. Have a cigar. I'm glad you've come. wanted to talk to you"
 And when they had lighted their cigars. Its about this very guard. I'm afraid you'll have to keep your men under cover at least in the day time"
 Under cover?"
 Well, you see" went on McGuire in some hesitation. my daughter Che called it darter) Peggy is motoring down from New York today I don't want her. but she's coming. I couldn't stop her. She doesn't know anything about this-er-this guarding the house. And I don't want her to know. She mustn't know. She'd ask questions. I don't want questions asked. I'll get her away as soon as l can. but she mustn't be put into any danger"
 T sec" said Peter, examining the ash of his cigar. You don't want her to know anything about the impend- ing attempts upon your life and prop erty-'
 Yes. that's it." said Mcclure inn patiently. II don't want her to find out Er-she couldn't understand lyr1Oy iPh hn1 NNaU talk too much" He paused-"It's- er-necessary that none of her friends in New York or mine shhould know of-er- any danger that threatens me.-would-in a way-threaten her You see?"
 T think SO"
 I've put all weapons under cover l don't want her to see 'em. So when she cOnes-which may be at any mo- ment-nothing must be said about the men outside and what they're there for. In the daytime they must be given something to do about the place trimming the lawns, pruning trees or wedding the driveway. Pay 'en7 what they ask, but don't let any ot 'em go away You'n explain this tc the new men. AS for yourself-er- of course you're my new superintend ent and forester"
 Mcclure got up and paced the floor slowly looking at Peter out of the tai of his eye.
 "I like you, Nichols, We'll ge along. You've got courage and intel ngence-and of course. anybody cal see you're a gentleman. You'll keeI on taking your meals in the house
 
 "1f you'd like me to go elsewhere NO. I see no reason why Pegg,
 ', -hA ill But she's very headstrong. has beer since a kid I suppose I humor hel a bft-who wouldn't? lost my old est girl and her boy with the flu Her husbands still in France AnC Peggy's got a will of her own. Pet lrs,, iv