Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-04-27
R E I RI B U I 10 N.

k + l k l 5 U l l U N.
 BY eeTHE DUCHESS"
 On this particular Wednesday quite q stir and hustle of the thick silken skirts take place, as Gerald Massareene, smil- Ing and gay, enters Miss Duran's draw ing room. There is, in spite of the deb- onair manner that distinguishes him, and induces all these old young men to look askance at him, and grow green with envy, and that causes the quite old men to wink and nudge each other, and call him "a sad dog''-a suspicion of anx- iety that renders his kind eyes melan- choly, and makes him favorite at once with all the gentle, elderly women.
 He is 8 fashionable looking young man, exquisitely dressed, and is. in fact. such 8 departure from Miss Duran's drawing room, that he creates an i'm mense sensation, that Is only to be sur passed by the entrance of 8 lovely young woman ten minutes afterward, who sweeps up to Miss Duran with the most charming smile in the world on her beau tiful face.
 "Dear Miss Duran, !" she says, slipping her little gray clad hand into that of the astonished spinster, five have been want ing to come and see you for such time and I-but there have been so many other tiresOme engagements. And, after all, it is better, is it not, to leave the best to the last?" this with a swift glance at MassaFeene that sets his heart a-beat- Ing. HEVen now, we could not come together; there was some absurd crush somewhere, and we had promised to go, so told auntie I wanted to see you even more than she did; so packed her of to her afternoon and came to mine.''
 Her low trainante. voice, her pretty smile, the gentle pressure of the little hand, all won Miss Duran's heart at once She had met MilIicent two or three times, but now she persuades herself that they have been good friends for many years What lovely creaturel How nice of her to come to this dull old house just to see a stupid old maidl Dear, dear me, there were not many who would do thatl
 Meantime the s'lovely creature,, is taking her tea from Gerald Massareene's hands. Tea of an exquisite flavor and rich with country cream, sent up spec ially from the heart of Hampshire for Miss Duran's Wednesdays Tea served in priceless old Grown Derby, before which the modern limitations might hold down their heads. sa sz. ,s,...H ''Sugar.'' asks Gerald in a society tone; and then, considerably lower, t'my own darlngl'' Fllasf e,aa ..zre .e..r
 "Eh" says Miss Grey in return to this impassioned address, with 8 startling promptitude that is rather dispiriting. In truth, having got here, no matter how, and so acknowledged to Massareene that she has thought it worth her while to give up for his sake one of the most brilliant concerns of the season, she is a little frightened, little inpatient and yet good deal glad. .....
 "Millicent, says Gerald, dropping into the chair near her, 'fthat you have come at all is so much more than dared hope for that would now entreat you to let my joy continue by being kind to me for the short hour we may be together"
 His tone is very sad, in spite of the joy he mentions. Old Miss Duran, looking kindly at the two young people who have descended into her midst and cast such . cloud of sunshine upon the dull, stately drawfng room, reads as clearly as though it were all in print before her that this young man-the son of her dead cousin-is breaking his heart for love of the pretty, slender girl staring so sol emnly into her tea cup, and that the pretty girl is not altogether indifferent about 1t. -......-.s .,.... g.,-.-... .--. .....
 "Bless mel And I hear she is to be married to that nephew of Lucy Brands. We'll, to judge by her face, should say her heart is not in it. Poor young thingsl Evidently they have entered into the bliss found a lodging in their tender breasts!" Sometimes Miss Duran, in spite of the indulged in flights of poetic fancy. ''How romantici How full of pathos! That dear boy!-why, can see him dwfnding away before my eyes. Quite wreck he is becoming, though art and his tailor may try to delude me. Well, must see what can be done. Ger aid, my dear, do you think Miss Grey would like to see that painting of your great-grandfather that adorns the west wall of the ibrary2 It is well worth a visit, assure you, my dear Miss Grey. Do let Gerald persuade you to look at it. A masterpiece, I assure you. One of Lely's brightest effortsp' -- ...,-
 "Come!' says Gerald, ill 8 low entreat- ing tone. ..,........ ..,..,.. .I.-5
 Millicent hesitates for a moment, and then, according to custom, is lost. .-s y She rises, gives her cup to him to lay upon 6 table near, and with 8 bright smile and glance directed to her hostess follows him out of the room. --.
 Although his spirits have risen almost beyond his control, MT. Massareene be- hayes himself wonderfully until the hall is crossed and the library gained. Then, regret to say, he considerably forgets himself. He throws honor to the winds, and taking Granit Boyle's fiancee in his arms. strains her to his heart. ='
 "Darling of my heartr' whispers he, with sigh of passionate gladness.
 \ At Miss Grey's conduct on this occasion I am also bound to express regret. In stead of the indignation she should have shown, she simply pushes him away from her with a very lenient hand, and laughs little.
 "Was there ever such a bad boy!" says she, standing back from him with palm extended to keep him off. "Are you to tally without grace?''
 "On the contrary, I am filled with it I have gained-you.''
 '. "Gained?'' f.E-.@
 SssMillicent, will you tell me now that ] am nothing to you?'' >f& As $ "$