Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-05-25

y J sincerely loves you, whatever a cynical world might say, and who will doubtless ! prove a much better life-companion than you expect. Come, Edith, fling fear away, take leave of hesitation, and say you will go with me-"
 "Mr. Carson," she replied, "I have said that am not your wife; I now say that never can be. Choose among those who are better fitted for your wealth and station, and leave me to my own griefs and cares. The two witnesses you speak of that profess to have seen Us married are not entitled to any credence, and as for that certificate, am fully convinced in my heart that it is a forgery"
 "Ah, take care, Edith, he said. "Take care how you accuse Judge Ransom of for gery! tell you it is a very dangerous thing to do. Your denials now are no use, and why not make the best of it2 You speak of my selecting one suited to my wealth and so forth. That is non. sense What care I for wealth. My fortune is assured, and after my uncle's death shall be rich man."
 "Your uncle's death 2 she exclaimed.
 "Yes"
 "Can it be possible that you have not yet heard the news ?" asked Edith.
 "No; What can it be came here in haste. I have seen no newspapers. l have not conversed with anybody but old Judge Ransom, and he was in hurry. What news is this you refer to, Edith1 Come, tell me, little wife, and season it with kiss"
 As he spoke be approached her, and reached out his arm to caress her. She darted away from him with a little scream, and said:
 "1n Heavens name, be patiect until you hear me! Unfortunate man, this is no time for you to indulge in folly or frivolity Your uncle is dead !"
 Edith did not intend to be so abrupt in delivering the terrible message, but she was compelled to do so in seIf-de- fense. The blow was as telling as q dagger-thrust. Clarence Carson stood still as If turned to q statue of stone. The lasoivious leer left his face. His eyes suddenly changed their look of eager desire 10 a stony stare, and his entire manner was altered.
 "Great God, Edith !" he exclaimed, as he trembled violently from head to foot, "is what you tell me really true?"
 She saw his agitation and, much as she dislked him, her woman's heart could not help feeling pang of pity for him. He had evidently received a severe shock, and whether 1t was sorrow or surprise that moved him most in that grim moment, Edith could not help commiserating him.
 It Is true," she said. "I thought you could not help knowing it, and thinking so was amazed to find that your mind could obtain no better occupation than annoying poor. fIiendless girl at such q solemn time."
 Clarence Carson was entirely sober now.
 Forgive me-" he said, forgive me for this intrusion. 1 was not aware of my uncle's death. went away i'll haste, I have lived in haste, and came back in haste to claim you, but I was not aware of this calamity Can you tell me how and when 1t occurred?"
 "On the night you went away, your uncle was robbed and beaten in his study. He never regained consciousness, understand, until he died"
 Clarence's fingers clutched nervously at space. He was dazed. He felt that this must be some horrible nightmare, some coinage of the overwrought brain, and that Ediths presence and voice could not possibly be a reality. Her keen eye noticed his great distress, and she felt sorry for having caused him so much pain of mind.
 "And who is the criminal that perpe. trated such a dastardly deed?" asked Clarence, as soon as he could command utterance.
 Nobody knows; that seems to be @ mystery. There are all sorts of rumors, but there is nothing definite"
 My God this is fearful" he said, as he paced the floor of the little parlor, in great misery. But a few moments be- fore he felt as powerful as a giant in Edith's presence, and scoffed at her anguish; now he was helpless as n child. The thunderbolt had fallen in his heart, and, like the smitten oak, his head was low.
 Clarence's first impulse was to rush out and run home as soon as he heard of his uncle's death, but a mighty spectre rose up in his mind and menaoed him. Was 1t remorse? Whatever it might be, it checked his haste, and set him thinking thoughts that tortured him.
 For several minutes he paced the floor. Edith had taken q book, and was glanc- ing carelessly through it's pages. but she was not reading it. That was an im- possibility just then, with such grim study as Clarence Carson before her. 1 Suddenly he halted in his movements, paused moment, and muttered audibly | to himself, Yes, I'll go there," and | then taking up his hat, hastened from l the room.
 After leaving Edith so unceremonious- l ly, Clarence Carson walked rapidly along the streets in the direction of his home. 1 He paid but little heed to those he met, l and old acquaintances were chilled by 1 the coldness of his greeting, but they l were willing to make allowance for his 1 great grief.
 But although he gave little heed to the l people he met on tho way to his uncle's l mahsion, and his own home from child l hood, he was not without company. | His mind was peopled with a host of