Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-03-26
CHAPTER II.

CHAPTER II.
 Now that I commenced to live again grew rapidly better The pulse ol health bounded freer and stronger every day. In my inmost heart 1 acknowI- edged that to my illness owed a nearer approach to Miss. Clare than could have effected in that time by usual inter- course. And, contradictorily, was dis contented and unhappy in thinking so. She had been kind to the invalid; it had now become my dearest hope of happi- ness that she might some day be kind to the man simply for his own sake. While 1 was imprisoned in my room I saw Miss Clare only once or twice; but when got below stairs and could walk up and down at the sunny side of the house. insisted upon Miss Clare's ac- companying me, and f1atly refused to go without her. At first I was sadly afraid she would resist-I saw signs of it in her eyes-and l was already preparing to maintain my request, when she sud- denly yielded and gracefully went with me.
 The ground was frozen stiff, icicles hung on the old we'll sweep, and the dying sycamore looked wilder and more l melancholy than ever. I shuddered ] with an undefnable dread of something evil to come. 1 looked at Miss Clare. She was gazing absently at the clear, far off sky-that steely, beautiful sky which sometimes seems so far away from us. Her face was reserved and sad not sarcastic. as 1 had feared it might be. I had thought of numberless things to say to her, while sat alone in my room; now they all left me, and spoke in an indifferent tone.
 "Now that our New England winter has really set in, suppose you will be l returning to the gayeties of your home" | She turned toward me and spoke quickly:
 "Of my home?"
 "Yes-of Boston," replied, little surprised at the peculiar expression of | her face and the ironical ring in her tone. "You will prove false to feminine nature by staying away from city l home during the winter season." saw that had chosen an unfortu- nate subject, but some evil whispering tempted me to continue.
 Are you going soon?" asked.
 The voice ill which she replied pre- cluded the possibility of speaking upon that topic again.
 Really, MT. Perrom. have not yet decided"
 had called the cynlcal expression t. her face, and there was no more genial kindness that morning. 1 wondered q my stupidity-1 had forced her to walk with me and then studiously made my self disagreeable. I went out alone the next day and every time after. | Soon 1 resumed my morning horse back excursions, and after one or two of those rides l felt the glorious elixir of health again pulsing in my frame: was among men.
 One cold, still morning in January took my pistols from their case and en- tered Mrs. Jerdan's sitting room in search of Miss Clare. She was reading by the fire, and received me with the easy cor diality which sometimes distinguished her, and which appeared entirely at vari- ance with the moods in which she occa- sionally indulged.
 You remember l promised to teach you to shoot," said; 1T have come to claim my pupil"
 Her eyes shone with pleasure. 'You are very kind not to forget" she said.
 II must acknowledge it is not a disin- terested kindness" responded, allow ing the impulse of my heart to betray itself in my face. I held those eyes to mine for an instant that was forever after remembered by me. Men do not forget the first time the woman beloved comes near to them in one full glance. She did not give mo back the passion that burned in my eyes; the language l read was that of surprised inquiry, not of repellant scorn that despised it's dis covery.
 We went out toward the field where she had left her target still nailed to the tree. No merciful premonition of that which was to come gave me warning to turn back with the girl who walked with me. Happily we went on. Over Miss l Clare's face was the soft pride that so enthralled me. Gentler, more kind than l had ever before seen them. her eyes seemed as she talked: in their gray deeps luminous shadow seemed to dwell that baff1ed while it drew me on. loved her entirely, devotedly, with heart and soul and strength, and now 1 only waited the opportunity to tell her what she might have seen.
 II am going to astonish you," she said. as she took her place to shoot, and fired with the same careless air which I had noticed before. The result showed her improvement.
 You have been practicing." I ex- claimed. ''It is unfair if you have sur | passed your teacher"
 AS handed back her pistol after load ing it she said in subdued voice:
 Do you know. it seems as if I were infatuated with this shooting? I have come here day after day-I did not ex- actly like it. but somehow I could not help it. believe am superstitious. It seems, Mir. Perrom, that some demon has impelled me to perfect myself in this unwomanly pastime. have shuddered as l think. of some horrible object to l To be continued. ASA FISH & CO.,,