Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-12-21
CHAPTER Xxvru.

CHAPTER xXvIm
 MARK FRETTLBY HAS A VISITOR. According to the copy books of our youth "procrastination is the thief of time," and certainly, Brian found that the remark was , | true one. He had been nearly a week il 1 town, yet could not make up his mind to gt
 and see Calton, and though morning afte morning he set out with the determi
 nation to go straight to Chancery lane
 yet he never arrived there. He had gon,
 back to his lodgings in East Melbourne
 and passed his time either in the house or ir
 taking long walks in the garden, or along
 the banks of the muddy Yarra. When ht
 did go into town, on business connected witl
 the sale of his station, he drove there ant
 back in a hanson, for he had curiou.
 shrinking against seeing any of his friends
 As soon as his station was sold, and he mar
 ried to Madge, he determined to leave Aus
 tralia, and never set foot on 1t again Blu,
 until he could leave the place he saw no one
 nor mixed with his former friends, so great
 was his dread at being stared at. Mrs
 Sampson, who had welcomed him back with
 shriu exclamations of delight, was loud in
 her expressions of disapproval as to the way
 he was shutting himself up.
 "Your eyes bein' 'ollow," said the sympa.
 thizing cricket, "it is nat'ral as it's want of air, which my 'usband's uncle, being drug gist an well to do in Collingwood, ses as low want of ox-eye-gent, being French name, as e called the atDaispeare, were fearful for pull1n' people down, an makin' lem go off their food, which you hardly eats anythin'. am not bein' a butterfly it's expected as your appetite would be larger"
 "Oh, I'm all right" said Brian, absently, lighting cigarette and only half listening to his landlady's garrulous chatter; ''but if any one calls tell them I'm not in don't want to be bothered by visitors"
 "Bein' wise thing as Solomon ever said" answered Mrs. Sampson, energetically, (which no doubt e was in good 'ealth when seein' the queen of Sheber, as is necessary when any one calls, and not feelin' disposed to speak, which I'm often that way myself on occasions, my sperits bein' low, as I've 'eard tell soder water lave that effect on lem which you takes 1t with dash of brandy tho to be sure that might be the cause of your want of life, and-drat that bell, she finished, hurrying out of the room as the front door bell sounded, s'which my legs Is a-givin' way under me thro' bein' over worked" .t....s..-...
 Meanwhile Brian sat and smoked content edly, much relieved by the departure of Mrs. Sampson, with her constant chatter; but he soon heard her mount the stairs again, and she entered the room with telegram. which she handed to her lodger.
 "'Opin' it don't contain bad noose.n she said, as she retreated to the door again.
 Tearing open the red marked envelope, it turned out to be from Madge, saying that they had come back to town and asking him down to dinner that evening. Fitzgerald folded up the telegram, then rising from his seat, walked moodily up and down the room hor, iv, L Lfc
 ''So he is there," said the young man aloud; "and shall have to meet him and shake hands with him, knowing all the time what he is If it were not for Madge I'd leave this cursed place at once, but after the way she stood by me in my trouble I should be a coward if did so."
 It was as Madge had predicted-her father was unable to stay long in one place, and had come back to Melbourne a week after Brian had arrived. The pleasant party at the station was broken up, and, like the graves Of @ household, the guests were scattered far and wide. Paterson had left for New Zea- land en route for the wonders of the Hot lakes, and the old colonist was about to start for England in order to refresh his boyish memories. MT. and Mrs. Rolleston had come back to Melbourne, where the wretched Felix was compelled once more to plunge into poli- tics, and Dr. Chinston had resumed his usual routine of fees and patients.
 On receiving Madge's telegram, Brian de- termined to go down in the evening. but not to dinner, so he sent & reply to Madge to that effect. He did not want to meet Mark Frettlby, but did not, of course, tell this to Madge, so she had her dinner by herself, as her father had gone in to his club, and the time of his return was uncertain After din- ner she wrapped light cloak round her and went out on to the veranda to wait for her lover. The garden looked charming in the moonlight, with the black, dense cypress trees standing up against the sky and the great fountain splashing cool and silvery. There was heavily foliaged oak just by the gate, and she strolled down the path and stood under it in the shadow, listening to the whisper and rustic of it's multitudinous leaves. It is curious the unearthly glamour which moonlight seems to throw over every thing, and though Madge knew every flower, tree and shrub in the garden, yet they all looked weird and fantastical in the cold, white light. She went up to the fountain, and seating herself on the edge, amused her self by dipping her hand into the chilly water and letting it fall, like silver rain, back into the basin. While thus engaged she heard the iron gate open and shut with a clash, and springing to her feet saw gentle lnan coLnAng up tne paIn III nght coat and soft wideawake hat . -s5
 "Oh, it's you at last, Briang" she cried, as she ran down the path to meet him. "Why did you not come beforea" .*E
 "Not being Brian, can't say" answered her fathers voice.
 Madge burst out laughing. .:.....-s
 "What an absurd mistake" she cried. ''Why, thought you were Brian"
 "IndeedP' -=# .4..-.a. ....-5-
 "Yes; in that hat and coat I couldn't tell the difference in the moonlight" "Oh, !" said her father, with a laugh, push- ing his hat back, moonlight is necessary to complete the spell, I supposeg'
 'Of course" !" answered his daughter. t'If 5here was no moonlight, alas for loversr'
 "Alas, indeedl" echoed her father. eThey l would become as extinct as the moa: but l where are your eyes, Fuss, when you take an l 'ld man like me for your gay young Lochin- varT'
 "Well, really, papa" answered Madee, ''you do look so like him in | hat coat and hat that could not tell the | difference till you spoke"
 Nonsense, child," said Frettlby, roughly. | you are fanciful." And turning on his heel | le walked rapidly toward the house, leaving | Aadge staring after him in astonishment, as | we'll she might, for her father had never poken to her so roughly before Wonder;nor