Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-02-11

ms factory, and his own scheme that was his only hope in life! But Mr. Philbrick did not smile. He seemed actually serious and awaiting an answer
 Well, will give you the first chance when l want to sell'
 me old gentleman's earnestness sobered rni-lp Ill spite of himself He was sorry he had laughed. Perhaps he had been mocking his own destiny The philanthropist's pro- posal began to affect him as deaths head at a feast He was afraid he could not forget It. Dld hls friend know him better than he knew himself? Did he see clements of weak ncs; il his character that would be sure to wreck his beautiful hopes?
 Philip walked slowly up to his door. Once he turned and looked after the bent but stiII vigorous figure of the bad prophet. No doubt ho was already planning how to revolutionize cio whole management of the mill.
 Il will never speak with him again." he Guttered.
 Then he looked back at his house again. It was in that very doorway, open as it was now, that Bertha had stood and kissed her hand to him the last time she had been at his home. That was when his chief thoughts of h-o were as wedding journey-that was be- fore tho first cloud had dimmed his sunlight
 
 her fathers house and her mothers pure memory. She had shalned him who had been her lover since childhood, and all for man sho did not love enough to stay with him. Still he could not help that frs. turnultuous throb of his heart, the unreaso1. ing wave of joy that had swept over him a, tho very sight of her changed, tired face Chc had done her worst to spoil his life, to drive peace and happiness from his sonl but that puro, steady glow in his heart, ah, it was love yet.
 Philips heart was very full of bitterness, the fruit of his love instead of peace. H., stopped midway to his door, and plucked rose, slowly tore out its blushing petals and let the summer breeze carry them away
 Tho great work for the poor he had com lnc,1cei would have made him the happiest man in the world if she could have shared bis enthusiasm with him. His was the dis position even and sweet, just tho one to get the most contentment out of his life, but lone .LlcsS was terrible to him.
 'Perhaps 1t is better so, he said aloud, as he crushed the fragment of the flower in his hand No doubt he was light and weak, and 1t was only under the pressure of a great bur dcl that he could accomplish anything That gavc him intensity. And then Bertha might aave weakened his purpose if he formed one, cot symDathi2ing with him, and it had not oeel her wont to sympathize with him. His very devotion to her might have made him wavci', or for very happiness he might not haVc thought of anything but his bride. If 6 man has great work to do it is better to be alone. Two souls never can have but a sinrlc thought, and tho least friction might delay hs progress; the least Encouragement might hinder his footsteps on the mountain bringing glad tidings to the wretched
 All that peril had been saved him. Currar had proved @ better friend to the people tha, 1o thought, even when ho deserted them, il: breaking ill upon Philip Breton's idle dream of love.
 Perhaps it was from Bertha's shame haC sprung al the good that blessed thousand hopeless lives. Philip slluddored as he went up tho broad stone steps to his silent house. It seemed in. fal2-ous to assoeiato the thought of shame with tho woman whose beautiful, high brel face he had looked into again today Anc Bertha was ia tho very village with him; the Treiio outside world had given her back safe lie need not treInble for her any more fo. Ter fathers arm protected her. He looked across the fields, where he could 5co ono gable of tho house that held her, al most h:tdcn by overshadowing trees. Per haps shc was in her room this moment weep ,nC bitter tears for the sweet, rare life sht | lcd lost by her madness.
 He passed his hand over his eyes, | 'sAIUst she suffer forever-for what she ha l rcpented of, and the streams of despair fov always through her heart, washed white than s1oyv?'
 He walked into his home, and through tn cchoing hall and stood in the door of his din ing room. There were sidoboards and chair enough to provide for a party'-the table gilt tered with its massive plate, and glistenet with exquisite china, but only one seat wa l placed