Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1888-02-16

"Scoundrel! VIII you come with handouts
and billets to take sway my wife from my
arms for following your lying counsels. Is
that your law2 Does it choose such ministers
as you to break up peaceful homes and shut
behind bars a woman as innocent as an
angela"
Philip was advancing toward him, when
Giddings suddenly threw up the window and
leaned out to shout to a policeman. Then he
looked back to Philip.
Another step and your wife goes to jail?'
II won't touch YOU" And Philip folded
his arms across his breast, while the red blood
forsook his face at the threat He was in
this contemplate creatures power. He might
grind his teeth at him; he must obey him.
"You seem very obtuse, Mr.. Breton" ex-
llained the lawyer, from a respectful dis
lance. II have no i'll will toward Mrs.
Breton, very modest, and may add"-
GAS sure as there is a God, if you speak of
Ter SO, will throw you from the window.
Your secret will die with you then"
The lawyer smiled unhealthily. II want
money, that is all there is to it. You are
rich-Mrs. Breton-well, we'll, don't be all
cry. In a word, want to be paid to keep
my secret"
Philip cast glance of ineffable contempt
at him. Then he put his hands behind him
price of life, of honor, of liberty! No money
could measure it, But what trust could he
rest in the fidelity of SO base creature as
this9 The vampire would suck his blood for
ever, and forever cry for more; he would
learn that his victim would make himself
beggar to save this woman, and would beg
gar him without shame. The creature might
not stop with money favors; he might re-
quire to be made companion; to be invited
to his table, and presented to his friends; to
be godfather to his children and at last, in
anger at some unintended slight, or in some
drunken debauch, might bring or call down
the ruin dreaded SO long. His lifelong slav-
cry would have been in vain Better a
Philip turned on his heel and stopped before
his Sormentor.
GLOW much do you want7'
His CLASSY eye frightened. ooh, I will not
be too hard just because have got the whip
hand of you. Say $500, and your secret is
SAFE"
''For how longg' sneered Philip.
"Forever," answered Giddings, with virtu-
Gus decision. II swear before God l will
never ask another penny of you; and your
secret shall die with me.'
Philip had taken out his pncketbook. He
found $50 bill; then he drew check for
CAco. AhO PocA Ae@"J "a oJ SA oAo AA1oAAOJ "AcA
great tenderness; his heart softened at
sight of it, and the love of appreciation, that
never dies out of even the most degraded
soul, stirred in his.
II amt so bad fellow, after all" he said,
as he took up the money; II know lots of
men who in my place wouldn't have let you
off for less than cool thousand"
"Your circle of friends must be very
select" Philip was moving toward the door.
''To be sure, to be sure" but somehow the
lawyer kept close to him, II couldn't help
feeling sorry for you; and then your wife is
such nice woman; it never seemed to me
tails were made for such as she"-
'Stop your driveling," cried Philip, turn
ing on him so suddenly that the man fancied
at first he had been struck, "keep your blood
money, but don't dare to breathe her name,
even in your prayers"
The lawyer chuckled to himself when the
door closed behind his wealthy client. 81
suppose haye considerable grit
Then he pocketed the bill and scrutinized
the check. "But 1 was almost too easy with
him. Some fellows, now, would have just
bled him.