Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-01-31
CHAPTER VII.
A TEST.
"Isn't your father goingW

CHAPTER VII.
 TEST.
 "Isn't your father goinge'
 It was the same evening, and Philip Breton was assisting Bertha into his beach wagon for twilight drive.
 "Father has left town for few days Didn't you know! Suppose you let me have the back seat. The world is large enough to afford us a seat apiece tonight"
 Bertha adjusted her wraps and the horses stepped off down the street as gayly as if their driver had not been disappointed.
 There was not very much conversation to- day; indeed there never was unless Philip afforded it. Bertha considered she did her part in looking we'll, smiling prettily at his witticisms with now and then a remark, if she felt inclined. But today Philip was moody and silent. So Bertha gave herself up to the sensuous delight of riding, and only spoke in mild exclamations of admiration of the scenery as they left the village behind and followed up the winding river
 But suddenly Philip saw a mans form swaying easily while he took great strides along the footpath.
 ''Culrsn. he exclaimed. and stopped his horses close beside bin,. Ths msn turned, and ope might have thought hs did not recognize the occupants of the carriage, except that there was the least bit of a flush on his face, which bore the lines of interrupted medita- tion. Then he bowed slightly to Philip.
 And you don't recollect me, suppose" smiled Bertha.
 II am not so stupid" he said, letting his steel blue eyes rest adniringly upon her.
 eve are going to Lockout, too. You must get in with us.'
 ''No, I won't crowd you; don't move" And ha t,1rrad q 1itf1o a,Uav from tlo,,, to continue his walk
 Certainly you must!" said Bertha; "see, I have whole seat to myself and it is so stupid Please"
 And Curran took the seat she offered him, holding back her wraps till he was seated, and then releasing them.
 ''Do you think shall ever learn to weave cotton cloths" asked Philip, to call his atten- tion to their days work together.
 ''I presume so, if you really mean to. But it is lucky you haven't got your board to pay meanwhile"
 But Curran did not smile and was very ill at He seeuled to be lifted, body and soul into the very life he was accustomed to rebuke. The beautiful horses of the rich were harnessed today to his pleasure with their gold plate trimmings. What right had he here? He said nothing of it, but felt intense ly the falseness of his position. The delicate springs hurt him, and every sign of lavish wealth in the dress of his companions He wanted no interests with the rich; his life work must be against them; he desired no association with luxurious manner of life which he ought to upbraid. There must not be one chain of gold to unite him with the wealthy class in whom he saw the enemies of the people.
 And yet he was taking delight in this wo- mans presence, new delight, such as the women of the poor had never given him. And was not she the very essence of luxury and refinement? He hated himself for it, but for all he tried to look elsewhere he kept sec ing the sparkle of the diamonds on the whitest hand he had ever seen. He enjoyed the lilies of the valley set ill mosaic at her throat, which showed it's creamy white against the delicate ruffies, and the comb with it's band of Roman gold almost the shade of the ripping hair it restrained. But were not these the very extravagances the poor had to struggle to earn for her? He ought to be Illuminating whitening sentences for such as she.
 II will get out at the rocks and walk the rest of the way" said Curran at last, as they could catch a glimpse of Lookout in the dis tance 1.-The worl1men I want to talk to would hardly understand my coming with a carriage and pair.'
 The 'srocks' came but a mile from Lock out and the horses trotted so we'll that the spot was reached in 6 few moments more The road at this point had been cut through q side hill of sandstone by dint of great blast ing and the jagged edges jutted out angrily ! at the passers by.
 "There must be a wonderful landscape on the other side of the rocks" said Bertha, as Philip stopped his horses for Curran to alight. ''Have you plenty of time?" she asked, before the workman could express his thanks
 'An hour to spare"
 She looked wistfully at the envious rocks that shut them in and then at Curran's grave face.
 II would so like to see that view from the top of the rocks if had some one to help men
 Curran's face suddenly flushed with pleasure. ''I should like to help you" In minute more Bertha was climbing the rocks with her strange escort, and Philip sat holding his horses quite little distance back.
 ''You didn't talk very much during our drive," said Bertha, as she stood with her companion looking off down the valley. ''Is it so wicked of us to be richg'
 He shot sudden deprecating look at her. "Dont force me so far. I cannot say it now"
 Bertha smiled ssThen leave me out of it; say Philip instead"
 "He is enjoying the fruits of terrible injus- tice"
 "But would his father have been rich un- less he had deserved itg' asked Bertha.
 "Is it just reward of merit, then, that a thousand human creatures should well nigh starve, and he be richs If he has deserved to be rich, you must say they have merited star vation."
 The girl liked to hear his earnest, thrilling tones, and watch his eyes flash and his nos trils dilate with such rare passion. TO BE CONTINUED. ] Advertise in the Democrat.