Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-11-13
A MUTE FAREWELL.
Critters the dew and shines the river
 Up comes the lily and dries her bell;

Critters the dew and shines the river
 Up comes the lily and dries her bell;
 But two are walking apart forever,
 And wave their hands ill a mute farewell
 Il declare, Matey, you are really cross to day! You snapped quite viciously at me jus now when Espoke of your guest, MT. Gerard
 What Is the matter with your'
 My cousin Lilth sat up in the hammock il which she had been idly swinging for the las half hour, and glanced curiously at me as sht spoke; It was so unusual, this display of tenn per on my part, that Lilith was surprised how was she to know that at the sound oi Felix Gerard's name my heart stopped beat ing, and l felt as if I was suffocating, and, fl spoke sharply, it was only that she might not guess how I suffered?
 There is nothing the matter with me. ." said, in answer to her question. II feel tired am going to my room. I shall take nap and get rid of my temper before din ner."
 lett her as spoke But when gained the secIuslon of my own room locked the door, and instead of preparing for a nap, gave way to my bitter misery.
 Could 1t be possible that it was only l yesterday that Felix Gerard had asked me to | be hls wife, an orphan and penniless, de pendent on the bounty of my kind aunt, while he was rich and handsome, fit mate Tor the greatest lady in the land? No wonder that my happiness seemed too great to last felt as if heaven had suddenly opened its portals. Oh, the rapture of that moment when his dear arms were about me, and felt his lips touch mine!
 Il shall speak to your aunt tomorrow, little one," said he. q have something to tell you both about myself, something you ought to know; but for this one day we will keep our secret, sweetheart"
 hat happy day it was Think-only one day out of lifetime; one day of happi- ness, to compensate for a life of misery
 We spent the afternoon on the water, re- turning in time for dinner As we said good night, he took me in his arms and kissed me.
 Dearest little woman, you have made me very happy, and I will try hard to make your future life happy one God bless my own darling! Good night"
 The next morning, when I awoke I won- oered for moment what had happened to make me so intensely happy. I remembered, and Jumping quickly out of bed, began my toilet; no foreboding of sorrow came to me then
 Our letters were laid near the plates at breakfast, and when I entered the dining room, noticed there was one for Felix. He came ln later, and when he saw the letter he started, opened it. and when he read the color left his face, and he looked like man suddenly bereft of life. He recovered him self, anC making an excuse left the room.
 My breakfast remained untouched: I felt that he was in trouble of some kind, but whatl An hour later, a note was brought me by one of the maids; it was from Felix: MATEY-I am in the summer houseat the cor ner or the lane Will you come to me when you receive this! Something has happened I can say no more tlll see you. FELIX. snatched up garden hat that was in the hall, and ran, instead of walked, until came to where my darling waited. Without giving him time to speak, said:
 "Oh, Felix, what is it2 I saw your face when you read that hateful letter at break fast. and l know that something is wrong: have you lost any money3"
 "Would to God that were all! No, dear: my money is quite safe; but, ohl Matey, | do not know how to tell you the truth"
 "Whatever it is, tell me at once; can bear anything but suspense"
 You remember that yesterday 1 said I | had something to tell you about myself, You never guessed that I had been mar ried."
 staggered back
 Married! And you dared ask me to be your wifer"
 ''For Gods sake, little one do not look at me like that am not a scoundrel thought was free to win you, darling; you don't sup pose would have spoken to you, had it been otherwisew
 "Then your wife is dead"
 "For four years believed so, but the letter I received this morning is from her, saving she Is alive, the news of her death being a mistake. But let me tell you the story of my folly, Matey. Eight years ago, when was a lad of 20 married a pretty but ignorant girl Too soon discovered that she was ad- dicted to drink, and when we had been but two years married was compelled to sepa rate from her. Through my lawyer made over part of my income for her support and went abroad. Two years later read of her death ln the papers. l never told any one of my marriage, and had made up my mind to live single the rest of my life; but your sweet face, little woman changed all my resolutions and once more began to build fanc1ful pic lures of my future-you, darling, being the chief figure in all. Oh, Matey, it is so hard to give it all up"
 At sight of his anguish my own pain in put my hand gently on his bowed head.
 Tell me, Felix, what the letter says.n 'Here-read for yourself" dare say you were glad to hear of my death. put am still alive. It was another woman who ,
  ake: when got we'll I did not care to correct he mistake. I have been in England for the last wo years, and am now coming home I am still { Tour wife, even though you did desert me.
 ANNIE GERARD l The writing was that of an uneducated per on, and Ipitied my poor boy more than ever. had no time then to think of myself "Matey, dear, shall leave hero today-I ( must not remain longer; but how can part ( rom youa Oh, darling, perhaps in the years t o come, when you have forgotten the pain | # this time, some other man better than | nay win you; but no other can love you 'etter, as we'll" ( "No other man will ever win me. gave | -ou all the love had to give, and l am not q me to change. shall go on loving you to T he end of life. God grant it may be short t mel" t 'Matey, dear one, can you ever forgive a ne for bringing this sorrow into your young V lief" c "Hush, Fellxl It is not your fault; do lot blame you, dear"
 My precious grill" Then he pressed a 2 iSs on my forehead, and left me. l remained there for hours, but at last a