Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-02-17

el"niio, uOuDtleSS there was shame that could touch her; doubtless her cold heart would be racl1ed at last, u,1shaken as it was yer Dy the ruin it had worked i'll three lives.
 fhllip pulled up his horses at the counting room door,
 "Therc are the miils" and he pointed his whip at tho great brick buildings, that seemed 1n,lrEluring hoarscly to themselves in lhelr own strange language
 nus want to go into ther1,' insisted Beltha after sho had alighted.
 Tt would not interest you,' answered Philip steadily. "Nould it, Mrs Filings worth?
 Jane understood the looks and words; he feared Tor her, and glanced culiously at the protective love. Tho lower part of her f.ce had become set and slightly unpleasant.
 Tt Is very dusty, and tho smell of the oil would make you ill, suggested Mrs. Filings ruh. They were standing ct the edge of tho piazza in fuil view of the windows of the workroom above, and tho help were collect ing curiously and looking down.
 Please como into the office" Philip laid hi3 hand lightly on Bertha's arm, but she stepped littlo away from him.
 No; thank you, she answered, il meas urcd tones "I will wait here for you"
 man whom no one noticed had come up tho street from the depot, and was just cross ing over toward them.
 "Pleasc not wait here, my love-" urged Philip, yer; gently. "Only see; tho help from tho windows above are all staring at you"
 '.It will not harm me- May trouble you to help mo into tho carriages think will sit there. Thank you"
 Jano stood back a little watching tho un- raveling of the plot whose threads she hell in her hands It was very thrilling She saw the stranger como up and lay his hand on Philip Breton's shoulder. Who could he be, with his mysterious air, his black felt hat, torn i-l the crown, and his shiny broadcloth coat without cutfsa Philip had glanced up at the windows on the floor above, where {. !, D. hind them stood man, who fancicd himself in tho shadow; but Philip could sec him point his finger at Bertha and his lips move. Then tho rest looked back at him and laughed, and looked at Bertha and laughed again. Tho fellow peered forward incautiously, and the light fell upon tho same malicious, distorted features Philip had seen reflected i'll the side board mirror the day ho brought hi5 bride homo. It was Thomas Railes, ono of the witnesses to Bertha's marriage with Curran. But Bertha sat superbly indifferent, tho cen ter of their evil eyes, tho mark of their scur- rilous words. Philip turned as the strangers hand fcll on his shoulder.
 May 1 have your ear for a naonents" said tho i'll dressed man ill . low tonc Philip seemed to stagSer under new blow. Jane'a keen eyes wc1., very curious over this odd meeting, but Bertha noticed nothing.
 So three enemies to Bertha and his own honor met by chance ill his great mill yard, ignorant each of the very existence and of tho motives of the others, but each working fer the ruin of life. Three mines were planted under ono weak woman's feet, but neither enemy knew thero was another; they were plotters, but not conspirators, and more deadly far. If she escaped o,ie, she must fall by another; if one wero melted by prayers, still two remained; if ono were onc unappeased. The woman sat tho focus of three pairs of hostile eyes, calm, beautiful, unconscious. The air might Do thick with horrid hate, sho never guessed that oven one shadow had fallen across tho suns bright beams But one man had planted himself before her. He did not know how many r foes hc must fight, ho did not know their plan Of battle, but if slcepless guardianship and devotion unto death will save her he viii do it. Hc looks up pitifully at her face averted from him in displeasure. Ah, if she know, she would give him strength for the conflict by kind smile at least. But she preferred to watch the impatient horses paw ing tho earth beneath their feet, and Philip turned to the man who had touched his shoulder. The man was staring with in solent familiarity at Bertha, as fl ho had O certain right of property in her.
 II an s,eady,n said Philip fl1or?ely, .'como he passed, but he did not listen to him. IIo waited till the attorney, Giddings, passed over the threshold of bis office, then he locked tue door and turned on him like an infuri- ated animal.
 Do you dare look so ct my wife? Do you think she is like the low creatures you asso- ciate withs''
 Tho man's face grew 8 ghastly yellow, wLilo his eyes tried to seek out some safe corner ill tho room.
 "NIy God," and Philip advanced upon the lawyers rctreating form till he shrank down ill chair, and winced as if ho already felt the threatening blow. q would kill you as 1would dog He stopped, and the mad self into 3 chair, and covered his faco with his trembling fingers, ''But one cri12lc in a household is enoush," Thero was dead silence for q moment, then tho lawyer, sec ing he was out of danger, plucked up cour- ''That was the very thing called about. 5 Philip took his hands from his faco, and his eyes seemed to Giddings to be burning their Then Philip looked at tho mans frayed coat, frayed at tho edges, and the lawyer twitched uneasily under his scrutiny.
 1T thought was done with you forever, J he said with bitter smile at last, '.why, it 1 II know it, I know it, but somehow the money went pretty fast" And new cun- ming leer came into his face. He was begin ming to feel ct home, though somehow, he could not look his victim in the eye today. 1 since saw you." He tried to look at him, but could not get his eyes to stay any higher than Philips shoulder. Tho baptism of fire he had suffered, had given q certain new dignity to the young mans face, that cowed his visitor. II mean the risk I run; do you know what the law calls what am doingP Giddings lowered his voice to affect :, fright ened whisper Ut is compounding of felony. l was oily thinking ought to be paid fol my risk"
 ssGo fl, for t,,s aoep,nS ,;E,l E your secretnow how "Nell,' and the man grinned painfully "you might make it up to an even $500, eli 1 together you know, to include everything. 1 Giddings managed to raise his eyes, for an instant, to Philips face.
 1 'And do you think there won't be any more points? You know can't submit to be bled at this rate" 'sOh, mo- I assure you, not another cent. 1 had to pay debts with the first, you know l and buy clothes" Philip was astonished at ! himself, but he really had heart to smile as he as looked the man over.
 'Yes, you must have laid out the grca .el l part of it on clothes" Giddings pulled his
 chair up to the table.
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