Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-06-04

"it is true he has many dne points ol honor. Your little trick tonight would shame you forever in his eyes, once he knew of it.
 els 1t for you to utter such words7" she asked him, passionat .ly. "Why do you lovt to torture me?'
 'I do not wish to pain you. N:aatte." he stammered, huskily. Heaven knows I have more need of your reproaches than you o! miner 'If you know that. be silent no W; speect is useless" He leaned back, and piled his oars in silence. Thought was busy within him, and ! some remorse touched even his callous heart for the wrong and the suffering he was bringing on this girls young life. He remembered all she had endured. ali she must still endure; and some dim sense oi shame moved him, as he thought of the ! shadows he had cast on the morning of her youth. the glories of her womanhood. | Through the darkness loomed now asquar stone building. half in ruins. and built upon the rivers edge. In winter the waters often flooded 1t. Ghostly tales were told by the peasants. far and near, respecting the spirits of murdered men who haunted its deserted chambers. The girl pointed suddenly to- | ward it.
 "That is the place" she said. "No man 0, woman in all the country round dare venture here"
 The boat was ste cred close to the walls, which were deep bedded in the soil, and hali hidden by the river weeds and osiers which grew thick and dense around. The girl threw the rope around the jutting stone- work; he then laid down his oars and tood up.
 "You can climb through here-can you nota" said Ninette, pointing to the arch of window above their heads. ''The stones are like steps. have often been in myself for curiosity; there is a large hall underneath are vaults. If you need light. go to the vaults; otherwise from the river you may bs seen see, have brought you lantern and matches, and here are bread and wine and meat. The larder was well stocked for my homecoming. Within three days, If possi. ble, will come again. My signal will be three hoots of the night-hawk. Now hasten every moment Is precious"
 "How will you returnT
 "The stream Is with mel shall have nc trouble"
 "And you will not forget" he urged. laying his hand on her arm as they stood on the swaying boat.
 "Do not fear." she said bitterly. "I will be here If live."
 "You are @ brave girl" he said, with g gieam of admiration fin his eyes. as he looked at the pale beauty of the determined face.
 "For your sake am almost sorry I have made you do this thing"
 "It is no time now for reproaches or re grets." she answered. coldly. "What is don't
 is done. If any one suffers for tonight'i work. rest assured 1t will not be yourself"
 He bent down and kissed her brow-she neither inviting nor repelling tho caress then taking the bundle from her hand he rapidl, ascended the jutting stouework. and poisine himself an instant on the ledge. dropped noiselessly into the ruined hall within.
 A faint gleam of moonlight parted th' heavy clouds. and reflected itself on the sur face of the dark. still waters. In the pallid shadowy light the girls face looked almos deathlike. She waited an instant for the sig nal that announced his safety. then loosenet the boat, and was borne on the rapid impetu ous current, back to the mill-house again. The few e1ortless strokes of the oax in tn backward passage cost her no exertion: tn rush of the rising wind, and the dash of tn ! river.foam, seemed rather to invigoEate thai
 alarm her. The fantastic forms of the drittin
 clouds above her head. the swaying shadow , thrown on the dark waters from either banh the breath of the chill wind on her hair, th swirl and rush of the rapid waters that close her in on every side-all these suited he l mood, and braced her energies and gave \ strange, fearless audacity to her smile,
 more dauntless grace to her form. She sprung out at tho landing-place, an Q moored the boat once more-then with ligt 8 l flying steps ran into the house and closed th
 door behi nd her.
 Her heart throbbed fast as she entered
 Unfastening her wooden shoes, she stole wit
 cautious footsteps up the stairs the door we
 ajar; the light of the pale. sickly moon stru( - gled through the clouds and fell across th [ easement. The dark figure on the bed la
 motionless-his heavy regular breathin 't alone disturbed the silence. "Thank God she murmered; "oh, thank God" an j. straightway fell on her knees before u 6 wooden crucifx, and wept and prayed in u l. very abandonment of joy and glad relief '- She thought she was safe.
 O Safe2 For all that Loves blindness mig 1. have discovered she was; but she new 8 thought that Hate has tn ousand eyes, ar t that while Love sleeps and dreams 1t b awal l. and watchtul. S$ ->,ess,~-~->s= " ' l. q would have speech with you. Pierre L g roux." The young miller started and turne le toward the speaker. r4 .e "Is 1t you. Rose MichelG Have you con d to see Min ette2" @
 "No;I have come to see you."
 It was close on sunset3 Pierre stood by |
 riverside. where hs had halted a moment f ,s rest and coolness after the labors of the da In 6milinsly he turned to the woman who hi
 SO abruptly addressed him. His heart W ?, 50 light, his life 80 happy; he had neither @ fear no "a care in the world now. sa'
 8 touch of anxiety for the wee P old wife. whose face was paler than
 cared to see-whose eyes were less brig
 than their wont, or so 1t seemed to his fol
 fancy.
 "To see me2 What Is it2" he asked cal n lessly, and all the time his eyes rested on m rose-covered porch where the fairy figure | ao lovod xvaa mad to atand and watch for