Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-05-27
A Masked Marriage,
BY JOHN ' BARRETT.

uOuCn nut WCll ONeI HIS Aol ShSaei, oAANS when many persons were not passing, plunged into the side-door of saloon. The bartender, who knew him well, came forward with a smile, which was speedily turned to serious look when he thought of the fact that Clarences uncle was dead.
 "Ah, it's too bad, MT. Carson; it is real ly too bad referring to the tragedy.
 "Yes, answered Clarence, Cit is ter riblc. Get me a good stiff drink of bran- iy-one that will put soul into me, Jim, and be quick about it."
 The bartender obeyed nimbly. While he was getting the drink, bright-faced young man entered by the same door that Clarence Carson had come in by, and made his way through tho marrow pas sage leading from the side door to the bar. He crowded Clarence somewhat closely in getting by, and then turned around very politely and looking him straight in the eyes, said:
 "I beg your pardon, MT. Carson. didn't know this place was so narrow"
 "Oh, don't mention it., said Clarence, who fairly winced under the penetra-
 
 ter seemed anxious to enter into conver- Sation, but Clarence gave him no encour- agement, and made no reply to his re- marks. The new arrival then passed on to the bar, but not before he gave Clar- ence penetrating glance that made him feel very uncomfortable.
 "Who is that puppy ?" said Clarence, when the bartender brought his drink.
 "Hes an insurance agent, sir, but I forget his name."
 "And very cheeky one, I'll wager. He has eyes like gimlets and an unlimit- ed supply of gall. Iwould really like to know the fellows name, just for curios- ity, added Clarence, who was about to raise the glass to his lips.
 'I. Sawyer" said low musical voice at his side.
 The glass dropped from Clarence's ner- vous grasp, and he said in hoarse whis- per:
 thing" - . ,tSs. ct4Sss It was all over in flash. The glass was broken in fragments on the floor, and the brandy, too, was gone.
 "I mean that my name is Isaac Saw yer, sir, :" said the insurance agent, 1nis- ing his hat politely. You expressed a wish to know, and I thought would tell you. hope have not given offense in doing so, and since am responsible for making this brandy smash, I trust you will permit mo to replace it with anoth- er."
 "No, sir; not by long shot, said Clar- ence, angrily. "I am able to buy my own sdrinks and make my own jokes, and I consider you very impertinent for m entire stranger"
 ''Thank you; I trust you will think bet ter of me on closer acquaintance, said Sawyer, lowing low and leaving the place.
 "That's the cheekiest fellow I ever met" said Clarence as he drained the second glass of brandy which the waiter brought him.
 "Oh, all them insurance fellows is, sir it's part of their business, "said the bar tender; but Clarence's nervous condition had not been improved any by the col lision with the detective.
 The brandy, however, soon put new life into him, and putting on bold face he hastened to the house of mourning ir which he ought to be the chief mourner
 How desolate it seemed as he drew near. The chilling blast was singing | weird song, that sounded to Clarence's ears like requiem, as he approached the stately building, that had recently been the scene of n cruel crime. and il which the millionaire steel king, Philip Carson, now lay cold in death.
 hn hxyC q rear door, and was so impressed by the oppressive silence that he could almost hear the beating of his own heart. He desired to see his cousin Zelda, and learr from her, if possible. the particulars O. his uncle's death, so that he might bt fully acquainted with the tragic details and in q position to speak of the sat story intelligently to any one who migh converse with him on the subject. Ane so he moved about quietly and noiseless ly until he caught a glimpse of Zelda en tering her late fathers study.
 It was the room in which the traged, had occurred, and Zelda's visits ther' were not many, but she had promised to meet the detective, Isaac Sawyer there at a certain hour, and she wanted to be ahead of time, so that she woult not have to be called when he came Sawyer had been importuning her for private interview for some time, an, she had put him off on one pretext o auother until now; but he insisted a length, that although her grief was ss cred, and such as ought not to be dis turbed or invaded for outside affairs, tn interests of justice were equally sacred and it was absolutely necessary to obtai her story without further delay.
 How Zelda feared and hated this intel view She looked upon it as great ol deal which she would give almost any thing to shun, but from which, she WE firmly but gently told, there was no ge ting away
 Clarence saw his cousin entering tn study, and lost no time in following hel Zelda had left the door partly open whe she entered, and crossed the room a most to the opposite side, where she sa' her face reflected in n mirror. Presen ly she saw another face there, and he own turned white with fear At fir.