Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-04-26

1l. had been a very innocent offense from first to last
 At Granit's words Massareene,s face flames and sudden fire brightens his eyes At the moment it is easy to see that there is little love lost between the two men.
 ssYou mean?'' says Massareene, little sharply, taking step forward.
 uJust what said, dear boy-that you were eminently sober. Could I have borne higher testimony to your charac- ter? Miss Grey-as you seem to have some doubts about the accuracy of my state ment-wiu, I am sure, corroborate what I have just said."
 ssI refuse to give my countenance to anything you may chance to say,' re- turns Millicent, in a low tone, but with flashing eyes.
 She has understood the drift of her cousins remarks, and bitterly resents them. She may not be overland always to Massareene, but she will permit no one else to be uncivll to him.
 "Whatp' cries Boyle, gayly, arching his brows and lifting his shoulders in foreign fashion that either belongs to him or has been cultivated to a nicety, ssyou disagree with me? You really think that our friends extremely-er-em. presse manner, his hurried entrance, etc., meant t- the -er-the other things Really, dear Massareene, I would not stand that if I were you. You look as if you would like to murder somebody''-- with light laugh-"that is the standing condition of your countrymen, eh? Why not call Miss Grey outf"
 "Dueling is out of fashion, and one only horsewhips men," replies Massa- reene, meaningly, with his eyes fixed steadily upon his opponent.
 "Oh, but duel under such conditions that cannot be out of fashion, as it has never yet come in. Why not set it? Be leader of it? And 8 tete tete with Miss Grey, even under such equivocal cir cumstances, might not be altogether without it's charm"
 He throws out this last taunt quite airily-making even slight movement of the hand that somehow adds to the az gressive impertinence of it.
 Massareene throws up his head, as though scenting battle, and his face pales. Millicent, marking these signs of coming storm, enters the breach hastily.
 1T do think, Granit, she says, glancing insolently at her cousin from beneath half closed lids, 'that when you try to be amusing you are the most unpardon- ably stupid person I ever met. Your jokes always make me feel inclined to weep.''
 ''In this instance?'' demands he, quickly, his face darkening and an evil light coming into his eyes.
 ''And in every other. One yawns enough in all conscience as one goes through life without being compelled to do it by those who would fain believe they stir our laughter. Give it up, my dear Granit; comedy is beyond ybu-the heavy business suits you better.''
 A glance at her cousin convinces her that she has amply revenged herself. His brow is as black as midnight, and his mouth has taken the old expression that means mischief Massareene, too, has added to his discontinue by breaking into gay laugh, that rouses Mrs. Brand from her perusal of 8 review, as scurril- ous as it is just, of 8 book written by friend of hers, that she finds of engross- ing interest-the review, that is, not the book.
 "What is it9'' asks she, looking up in high good humor. Really, the review has quite exceeded her expectations. eff it is anything amusing pray let me hear it. l have been so put out by very harsh criticism on dear Fanny Ellwood's novel that I require something to cheer me. Some little jest of yours, Granit? Come, tell it to me, though must say, my dear, you look more like an Othello this moment than one 'born in a merry hour.' An, here comes tea at last! Just move my chair 8 little, will you? Thanks, dear Granit. am fast becoming an old woman, eh?'
 Granit is in just such a pleasant mood as urges him to tell her she is already amongst the frosts and snows of life; but prudence-a feeling more powerful with him than most others-restrains him. He is obliged, however, to move her chair into the exact position pointed out, and to perform divers other small ser vices for her with smiling face and ap- parently willing air, while grinding under the thought that he is leaving the other two free to carry on 8 low conver- sation uninterrupted.
 "How angry you were about Granit's innuendo just now,n whispers she, drawing her skirts aside that he may drop upon the low lounge beside her. "You need not have been. Did you think I never heard of that one little fiasco of yours, eh?"
 She leans toward him and smiles lit tie. The young man starts and colors hotly. Yet her smile is so sweet, so kind has her manner been so replete with gentleness as now.
 "You knew-you heardr'-stammers he.
 "Why, yes. Was it such a mighty se- cret, such an awful crime? Did you think could not condone-forgive?'
 She is still smiling on him, her beauti- full eyes riveted upon his. Massareene'a heart is beating passionately. He feels as if he can scarcely breathe-and yet he is breathing more freely than he has done for long time, now that he knows she knows and that after all she can tolerate him. Nay, it is surely more than tolera- tiOn!
 "You are an angel,' murmurs he in turn. Oh! the rapture of this whispered conversation The knowledge that they are-if not in body, at least in spirit alone! "But it was my one offense. l pray you to believe that! Afterward met you. And then-then it would have been impossiblep'
 Her color pales slightly as she looks into the loving eyes bent on hers. He has put out his hand in his earnestness and laid it upon hers-a strong hand, slightly Drowned, as mans should be, and very handsome. Somehow the 1o %o hor. Tc