Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-05-17
A Masked Marriage.
BY JOHN F. BARRETT.

Well, I'll see my son about letting he
 stay here, said the old woman, disaI bearing up the stairs good deal quioke
 than Ned thought possible for one of he
 years and appearance.
 She had no sooner gone than Ne(
 placed Edith on the rickety lounge whicl
 formed the principal article of furnitur,
 ill the room and then darted off for
 doctor. He knew there was no time tt
 lose, and that it would only take few
 minutes to bring such help and healing a,
 Edith needed
 AS soon as the old dame ascended the
 breaking stairs on pretense of seeing
 her son about the propriety of letting the
 poor girl remain for few hours under
 the shelter of their humble roof, she ran
 nimbly along Il lengthy corridor which
 led to the rear of the building, then pass
 ed across n narrow bridge and through a
 door which communicated with large,
 well-lighted, and gorgeously furnished apartment.
 In the middle of this room, seated
 around a table, were six men, so deeply
 absorbed in cards that they did not mo-
 tice the stealthy entrance of the old
 dame, who glided with a cat-like tread over the rich velvet carpet to the side of tall young man, who would be de- oidedly handsome were it not for the sim ister expression of his eyes, which roved about restlessly. His long black hair was combed low over his right temple to con- ceal the deep mark that had been left there by bullet, and he glanced fre- quently over his shoulder as if expecting the approach of some foe from behind. The old woman touched this striking character on the arm lightly, and in a hurried whisper said, "Dick!"
 Danger, mother?" the young man re- piled, turning sharply around, his face alert with a look of inquiry.
 "No, nay son." she answered, "but trouble-trouble for somebody else. Come with me-"
 Dick disliked to leave the room. Bus mess was good. The players had partak- en freely, and were in jolly, reckless mood, and the customary supper, which formed a regular feature of the nights gambling, was due in a short time.
 But Dick rarely ever questioned the prudence of the ancient looking person whom he addressed as another" She never called him away from his money. making without good cause, and so he accompanied her along the corridor, down the creaking stairs and into the shabby little room that fronted the alley.
 Edith was moaning and tossing on the lounge, and would have rolled upon the floor but that Dick Dawson sprang to her assistance.
 The unexpected presence of a woman, young, beautiful and half unconscious with her clothing dripping wet as she was taken from the river, gave Dick Dawson an unpleasant sensation, which was intensified as he raised her head and the eyes of the sufferer were opened wonderingly to meet his own.
 Heavens !" exclaimed Dick Dawson, what does all this mean, and who brought her here?"
 "She wasAtried in by big, goodlook. ing chap, Nho wouldn't take no for an answer, and who said that she fell in the river. He was wet, too, so think both must have been in the water. But where can he be? I left him here when went up stairs for you"
 "The deuce! He has deserted her. What kind of looking chap was he ?" asked Dick.
 "Tall, broad-shouldered, black-haired, with large eyes that seemed to look straight through body. Seems as If lie was mechanic of some sort. He said I'd be we'll paid for caring for this girl while he ran for a doctor, and told him I'd ask my son, but you see he has skipped l while was gone up stairs and I don't | believe he'll come back. Do you, Dick ?"
 "I ain't quite sure of that" answered | Dick, "and ain't quite sure as want | him to come, either. There may be | trouble in it, as I've seen this pretty face | before" and Dick fastened the door as he spoke.
 "Seen her before, Dick" queried the old dame. "Where could that be, and who is she?"
 "I don't know her name, but this is the girl that daredevil Carson was down for, when I was helping himself and his chum home from here. He wagered bottle he'd kiss her, but he got good knock down instead, from such a mechanic chap as you have just described. should not wonder but that fellow is her lover, and whether SO or no, don't want him here with his doc- tor." -
 "But what will you do with her?" asked Dame Dawson, as Edith staggered to her feet. {;
 First keep her from falling" answer ed Dick, with sheer, adding: "The girl is pretty; what the deuce could have put it in her head to destroy herself?"
 "Father, father!" called Edith, in pitiful accents. "Oh, don't go to the mill; don't go near the river. Ugh! how ,old it is"
 "Let me get you dry clothing" said Dame Dawson, with an attempt at kind less. "I can let you have nice gown md other things to make::you comforta- ole until your friend comes back"
 Edith was dazed. Her eyes were wide 'pen now, and she seemed to be strug- ,ling hard to comprehend the situation. She gazed in amazement at Dame Daw. on, who did not look much better than 'ne of the witches in the play of Mac. beth, and from this weird-lookine bel. lame the girl glanced rapidly at the tall.