Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-09-27
lastcr appeared on the evening of the fourth

lattcr appeared on the evening of the fourth of January rather later than usual
 "Come, Lyman, arc you readyt Re- member that this is the last time I will bore you with my company. Shan't have to rely on you to make my welcome after this. Got your matters all arranged for to- l morrow SO business can run half day without youi Judging by your devotion to the business of late, it is a wonder you did not cut down the time to an hour"
 am not quite through, but can finish up every thing tonight" answered Lyman, abstractedly, as the two went out to- gether, leaving Norris, with heart beating m wild, rebellious throbs which would not 1 be Quelled
 Then tho morrow was the wedding-dayi Tho thought of all he was losing came over him anew. If he could only do something
 f he could see her once againl
 Once, in his doubt and misery, he had written to her, but his letter had been re- turned unopened, directed in Lyman's firm hand, but the inclosure bore the words "By Carols wish," in what he knew must be Carols own writing.
 The rebun was complete. Yet as that last evening wore on, his restlessness car. ried him to the vicinity of the Childer resi-. dence. He did not expect to speak to her; the most he hoped was to catch possible glimpse of her before she gave herself ir- retraevably to another.
 Even that much did not seem likely to be granted him. The shutters were closed, and scarcely gleam of light stole out along the entire front,
 He walked past for some distance, then turned and repassed, trying to imagine what they were doing within, how she was enduring Ingot's fulsome attentions Could 1t be that she was finding pleasure in his admiration, that she was passing counter felt of love on herselfl-for that she had taught herself any real regard for the man, he did not believe.
 He had passed and repassed thus twice, and was approaching the house for the 1 third time, when the door opened and the two men came out Not wishing to be seen, Norris paused in the shadow of the next house while they stood chatting for a moment together.
 "she has no doubt of youl" Ingot asked.
 "Not doubt. Why should shel Ihave never failed her yet She relies on mv word, and have passed it more solemnly than she has ever heard mo declare any | thing before. Rest easy; there will be no withdrawal on her part before the time." l "Well, you are cool one," said Ingot, in l almost disgusted tones. "pve a streak of | the rascal in me, but can't match you, I'll have to look out for you as Q brother-in-law or you'll be getting the best of me. We'll, goodnight; see you tomorrow, of course''
 "You will see mo tomorrow, !" assented Lyman, and the two parted, going their sep arate ways.
 Norris was still lingering there when the door again turned on its hinges A slight form stood on the threshold, with white shawl over its head, looking into the dim l obscurity of the street. He stirred and a low voloe called timidly: "LymanW 1 Ut Is l, Miss Childer!' he replied, ad- vancing. "You would not receive my let ter, ter, W.n you s've me word now for the
 "I-I had something to say to Lyman" she taltered,
 | "He Is gone beyond recall. Pray, do not deny me this chance. It is only to tell you what you must know, that love you, love you, and would give my life to serve you if could. Oh, why were you in such haste to bind yourself-why would you not give mo time to tryp'
 "Hush" she said, scarcely above whis- per. "Oh, hush! must not nsten." | "Why not1 Because your heart plays the traitora Because, oh, Carol, you might 1 have been taught to love met Is it too late too late forever, my love, my darling-or will you break from thoso hateful bonds l yet and come to mel Do not go. Let me persuade you by all the might and power | ot my love to be true to yourself, even though you may not be kind to me. Do not | marry that man. Do what you will for your brother except that He is urging you to 1t, is he not7 But he has no right to ask so much as that''
 The little, iluttoring hand he had caught l and was holding closely in hls grew cold ! and slipped out of his clasp. "You arc wrong. Lyman would no moro urge me toto that, against my will, than you would. Ho wants mo to be happy in my own way. Indeed, it is true" "WN it make you happy to marry Ingot, l then2" asked Norris, incredulously. Faint as the light was, he could see the l rich color which dyed her check, the shy, wistful look in the eyes that met his. Il expect to be happy-after tomorrow she whispered, and so saying was gone. The door closed, leaving him standing alone on the steps.
 How foolish he had beenl How needless ly he had worried himself In his fears for her, and yet, poor child! was she not de- ceiving herselfi He could not be angry with her, though he tried, but in his disap- pointment he went straight through the streets home and to bed, to the infinite sat- isfaction of Mrs, Bates, who knew nothing of the storm of grief and desolation which kept him wakeful far into the morning hours.
 While he walked and fretted, Carol was sleeping the sweet and peaceful sleep of care-free girlhood. Whatever burdens had pressed upon her, whatever fears oppreAsed her, were all gone now. The cold winter daylight was streaming in at the windows when she awoke, flushed and smiling, from some pleasant dream. She sprang up at once, alert and eager.
 1As day at last. Oh, am glad, so glad, that 1t will all soon be over" She dressed herself and ran down to Ly- man's den. He was not there, but a slip of paper bearing the words twill be in timen