Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-02-06
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BY CHARLES I. BELLAMY.
by the Author, and pubhsneo
 by arrangement with him.


 had been laid. The gracefully carved book rack was full, all but space the volume of poems might have fitted into
 "Just as arranged it after tea," said Jane Graves, moving uneasily about
 "For heavens sake be stilI," he exclaimed He stepped out into the hall.
 "Why, here is her shawl" he said, with a frightened heart.
 ''It is her heavy shawl that is gone;' the girl looked peculiarly at him when she added almost under her breath, "the one she takes on evening drives"
 Philip shot a glance of sudden intelli- gence at her, and terrible suggestions and recollections came crowding their hateful meanings upon him. The mad blood seensed congesting about Ms heart, and yet his face blaZed like fire. "Good Godr' he shouted hoarsely, Eff you dare to breathe it I will choke the envious life out of you" Then he caught the bell knob at the door and rang it 6ercely, and then again, before it's echoes had ceased, and again and again.
 "And is there another fire, your honor!'
 The broad faced chambcrmaid had come up from the kitchen and stood with arms alimbo, trying to make her rich Irish voice heard above the sounding gong.
 Do you know where your mistress is?"
 "No-a; if she be not inside, indade''
 'Didn't she go over to neighbours some where?" questioned Philip eagerly.
 'Not that I knows on, sir.''
 'Has anybody been here? Didn't you tend door, you ninnyr'
 ''The bell didn't ring till now, sir; but lave me think a bit," and the woman rubbed her head meditatively.
 "Quick," cried Philip, between hope and fear.
 "Don't scare me, sir, or can't do nothink "
 He moved his feet restlcssly on the inlaid hall floor and he had bowed his head as if studying the artists design; but it was for fear he should catch somo terrible signifi- canoe in Jane Graves black eyes. He could hear her dress rustic; he knew she was look ing at him, waiting for him to lift his face; but he would not have met her eyes at that moment for all the world.
 "Yis, there was rumblin' team come up, and thought l hearn O man come to tho durc and thin go back; but the bell didn't ring, sir, and didn't make no count on it. No, sir, hevn't hearn missus movin' roun' sense, and knows she be all over the house before"
 The creatures tongue was unloosed and she kept on talking, but Philip had bounded up the broad stairs and thrown open the door of the room he thought was Bertha's.
 In another moment the gas blazed up to
  from side to side as if he thought to find heart breaking story written all over the gold papered walls. Then his eyes became fixed on the black walnut bureau with it's long mirror coming down through the cen ter. On the marble slab at the foot of the mirror he saw a satin covered handkerchief case, and pinned upon it a piece of paper
 In three steps he had clutched little per- fumed note, with a ribbon fastened on it as if for a signal, a delicate bow of white ribbon, Mr. Ellingsworth's name written on 1t, It was all here, and yet Philip hesitated a moment man would hesitate to cut off a maimed and poisoned limb. And it was al- most unconsciously at last that his nervous fingers tore the note open and let the bit of white ribbon flutter to the floor, He seemed to read very slowly and the flush faded from his face and left it very calm. There could be nothing very thrilling written there surely. But every line and curve was branded for ever on his heart.
 "I have gone with Curran. knew could not stand your reproaches, but can only be happy with the man I love. Society will dis own me. He is more to mo than all. BERTHA He crushed the bit of paper in his hand, and looked up to see Jane Graves standing in the doorway, pale as death Beside her stood the red checked chambermaid, speeches. again, this time with astonishlnent to sec the young man make so free in her mistress chamber.
 "Gonc with Curran; oh yes, it is all writ ten out. Well, that is a joke; 8 man who don't wear cuffs, and Bertha loves him! Why, 1 never could dress to suit her." And he threw himself into a chair and burst into convulsions of laughter till the tears came. "Well, there may be something else," and he stepped jauntily up to the bureau again. "Certainly, a jewel box with my name on it; oh! to be sure, our engagement ring" He held it up to catch the sparkle of the solitaire diamond. "Yes, yes, very proper and deli cate spirit. l wasn't mistaken in Bertha, she always had nice sense of propriety.' He came a little unsteadily toward the two women. Jane Graves was pale and still l as death, with her two little hands pressed tightly upon her bosom. Philip wondered ;mpatiently what was the matter with the girl. If he could treat the whole wretched business like a huge joke, what the deuce was the use of her playing tragedy queen over 1 it? What child's play life's solemnest woes and failures are after all a mans dread of them! It is mixing up flesh and blood with them spells their grand effects. Men and women are only fit for the cheapest kind of 1 LOW comedy. HOW lU IuuSU dlllllSe the I'm mortal gallery gods when a man attempts to sustain the tragedy pitch in his experiences If ono can only get the true point of view, ! there is such thing as a noble situation, a glorious victory or a desperate dilemma. The dignity of sorrow is ridiculous misnomer. Everything is only more or less funny ac cording to it's pretentiousness-for example the astonishing denouenent of his love epi | sode.
 Now Norah, the chambermaid, with face like a pumpkin and eyes like saucers, was 6 suitable lay figure for such an occasion.
 "Why, here, Norah, this is really a very good diamond. I bought it for the best; per init me to present it to you. Bertha, youl late mistress, I mean, was large woman nc doubt you can wear it over your little finger Consider it a reminder of this charming evening. An, let me put it on, you are not used to jewels-thus Now, my love, yor may run down stairs and show your pretty present."
 He turned his strangely bright eyes to tht wall at the foot of Bertha's bed.
 My picture, too. How the girls hear must have glowed night and morning ovel it." He took it down and held it before hin moment.
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