Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-09-10

II you are reluctant to let me see do not hesi- tate to refuse. I shall not be annoyed"
 Refecting that, after all her curiosity was baffied. I handed her the Golden Clasp with the chain in silence.
 "It is a curious relic," said she as she slowly examined it and laid it on her lap for mo- ment. "lf the question be allowed, how did you become possessed of it?'
 It belonged to my father" answered.
 Excuse me-" she said deliberately, "that is hardly an answer to my question"
 During the silence that followed, she took up the casp again, and studied the writing. AS she did so she used her right hand only {; indeed, during the whole time, her left hand had been occupied with her tireless fan. fancied, though could not be certain, that it was waving slightly faster than before.
 " The writing seems to be nonsense. What is this Moon. end. south-deep. at. point '? can make no meaning of it. I suppose there is q meaning?"
 "Not to my knowledge" said I, and immedi- ately repented, for once more I seemed to catch that gleam in her eyes which had so baf1ied me when first she saw the Clasp, The curtain rose upon the third act of Fran cesca," and we sat in silence, she with the Clasp lying upon her lap I wondering by what possibility she could know anything about my fathers secret. She could not determined. The whole history of the Golden Clasp made it impossible. And yet I repented my rash ness. It was too late now however so when the act was over waited for her to speak.
 "so this belonged to your father Tell me, was he at all like you?"
 "He was about my height, should guess" ;" said I, wondering at this new question |" but otherwise quite unlike. He was Q fair man, am dark
 "But your grandfather-was he not dark7 '"
 q believe so." answered, "but really"
 "You wonder at my questions, of conrse. Never mind me; think me witch, if you like. Do not look witch?"
 Indeed she did, as she sat there. The dia- monds flashed and gleamed, lighting up the awful color of her skin until she seemed a very '' Death-in-IIife.
 II see that puzzle you; but your looks, MT. Trenoweth, are hardly complimentary. However, you are forgiven. Here take your talisman, and guard it jealously; thank you for showing it to me, but if l were you l should keep it secret. Shall I see you again? suppose not. l am afraid I have made you miss some of the tragedy. You must pardon me for that as I have waited long to see you' At any rate, there is the last act to come. Goodbye, and be careful of your talisman."
 As she spoke she shut her fan with sharp click, and then it flashed upon me that it had never ceased its pendulous motion until that instant. It was strange idea to strike me then, but stranger yet succeeded. Was it that heard d low mocking laugh within the box as I stepped out into the passage? can- not clearly tell :; perhaps it is but a fancy con- iured up by later reflection on that meeting and it's consequences. I only know that as I bowed and left her. the vision that I bore away was not of the gleaming gems, the yellow lace, the white hair or waving fan, but Of two Oal-blaok and impenetrabe eyes,
 'So,'' said Tom, before the last act, "Claire carries a yellow fan, does she l looked everywhere for you at first, and only caught sight of you for an instant by the merest | chahce. hope she admired-- Hallo! shes l yonen'
 followed his gaze, and saw that Box Mo- was no longer occupied by the fan.
 'I suppose you saw her off? We'll I do not admire your taste, must confess, nor Claire's, to go when Francesca was beginning to touch her grandcst height. Whew you lovers make me blush for you"
 'Tom," I said, anxious to lead him from all mention of Claire, you must forgive me for having laughed at your play" 1 Forgive you! 1 will forgive you if you weep during the next act; only on that condi. | tion."
 l How shall describe the last act? Those who read Francesca" in it's published form gan form no adequate idea of the enthusiasm In the Coliseum that night. I saw old men | sob, and young men bow their heads to hide the emotion which they could not check. saw that audience which had come to criticise tremble and break into tumultuous weeping Beside me gray-haired man was crying as any child. Yet why do I go on? No one who saw Clarissa Lambert can ever forget no one who saw her not can ever imagine.
 Tom had bowed his acknowledgements, the ast flower had been flung, the last cheer had died away stepped into the strand to- gether. The street WAS wrapped in the denses' | of November fogs.
 Even in the pitchy gloom I could feel thai Toms step was buoyant. He was treadine already in imagination the path Of love anc tame. How should I have the heart to tel him? How wither the chaplet that already seemed to bind his brow?
 Tom was the first to break the silence tha had fallen upon us.
 Jasper, did you ever see or hear the like Can man help worshipping her? But fol her Francesca would have been missed. know it, could see if, and now. suppose, i shall be famous.
 Famous" continued he, soliloquizing "Three months ago I would have given tn last drop of my blood for fame; and now without Clarissa, fame will be a mockery. D' you think I might have any chance, the leas chance?"
 How could answer him? The fog caugh my breath as tried to stammer reply, an' Tom, misinterpreting my want of words, real his condemnation.
 "You do not? Of course you do not; an' you are right. Success has intoxicated me, suppose. am not used to the drink" 2. Then, with change of mood he caught m hat from off my head, and set his own in it place.
 eve will change characters for the nonce. he said, "after the fashion of Falstaff an Prince Hal, and will read myself a ehasten ing discourse on the vanity of human wishes Do thou stand for me, and I'll play my fath er.' Eh, Jasper?"
 "'Well, here am set,'" quoted I, conter ) to humOr him.
 ''Well then, know thee; thou art Thoma
 Loveday, beggarly Grub street author,
 faith, man of literature, and wouldst se eyes upon one to whom princes fling bouquets g. low Endymion puff1ing scrannel pipe, an
 wouldst call herewith queen to be thy brid'
 Out upon thee for such monstrous folly"
 In his voice, as it came to me through th
 dense gloom, thereerang for all its sun
 moned gaiety, desperate mocHery hideor