Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-08-02
vouchsanng word of explanation to his


 "A friend leaves for Cincinnati tonight who will give me his protection thus far; there some of my own people will meet me,n Kate replied. with assumed indifference while at heart the proud girl was ready to fling herself at the old mans feet and con- fcss the anguish these words cost her.
 Who, ln tao name of goodness, is taking you to Cincinnati!' the old man thundered
 Ere Katic's lips framed the reply she cast little apologetic look at Mrs. Win throp and Nell, for the consciousness was strong within her that the revelation would cost her their sympathy.
 MT. Lecroix," she stammered, "has offered-that is have asked him-in fact"
 Winthrop broke in on her confusion.
 "Alphonse Lecroix !" he exclaimed. while a start of pained surprise showed his wife's and daughters dismay.
 And why not!' Kate asked, with we'll feigncd calmness. "Why not MT. Lccroix!"
 The question was too much for the old sailor, who rose abruptly and said, with as much of Q sheer as he could assume, for the good-natured Captain was not strong in sarcasm:
 So be it, then. It is natural that birds of feather should flock together; but little thought, Miss Frobisham, that should ever be glad to-"
 He colored crimson and paused, for after all the girl was his guest.
 To get rid of me !'' Kate suggested, with apparently unstraincd composurc
 Tho Captain disdaincd reply and left the room, almost rudely ignoring the hand she held out to him. Had he noticed the dropping eyelid and quivering lip which sud denly betrayed her deep emotion he might, by kind word, have opened the flood gates of her emotion, but he was blind to
  the wrong she had done his boy Harry
 The wrong done his boy Harry! Aye, there was the rub. It was but natural that she should clcavc to her own kin and be true to the associations of her childhood nay, the Captain could even forgive her treason to the Union; for women, he argued are emotional creatures, and always side with the under-dog in the tight'-but that she should turn from him and his to the pro- lection of Alphonse Lccro;x was an outrage beyond his powers of silence endurance
 Alphonse Lecroix! He detested this AL phonse Lecroix with an aversion which knew no bounds of reason; not that he had when he came to analyse the situation, any just grounds for such strong antipathy against the young man, but he blindly based his contempt for him on general principles
 AlphOnSc LeCrOlX, who was stirring such torrent of animosity ill the Captains heart, was young French Canadian, re- siding in a ncighbOring village across the river, possessed of Q small fortune which he had inherited from a'pcnurous father. Fortune had been fairly generous to him, and nature had been more than prodigal in her fayors. His was the ideal of a school girls type of manly beauty-black, curly hair; large, luminous dark eyes; regular features; teeth, which a Duchess might have cnvicd; a soft, musical voice; a ten der, sympathetic manner with women, and 1.-the, active figure, whose every movement was graco itself.
 Then, his doting father had given him q college education, and, though his accom- plishments were of the vcriest veneer, he had acquired the art of making the most of the little he had learncd-surcly not such an objectionable parsonage nftcr all But his volatile manner clashed With Daniel WinthrOp's staid views of life, and in the best of times, when LecroiX had been ad- mittcd at the Orchard House as a frcqucn. guest. ac had set him down as a ''frivolous jackanapcs; ;' but when the young man let slip indiscrcet expressions of sympathy for tho seceeders and cvinced too warm ap- preciation of Miss FrObisham's society. his wrath knew no bounds, and he had ordered his WOmcn-fricnas to close the door on ''the internal young coppcrhcad."
 AuCIclOIc, WucH lIOul HIS fCITcdI III lHC pilot-house he saw tho Frenchman drive to his door and bear away the young lady, he might be forgiven the storm of impreca tions which rose to his lips. One thing com forted him: neither his wife nor daughter appeared on the threshold to bid Godspccd to the departing guest.
 . And Harry was coming home that night, too. How could he meet his boy with this tale of sorrow! He would rather face tho worst storm that ever ragged on Lake Michi- gan than tell the poor lad that the girl he loved had been false to him.
 Nevertheless, in the gloam of the evening he went forth to meet his boy, interccpting him in the big meadow, where years ago he had taught him to fly his kite and shoot reed birds. As the buggy approached, he stopped the driver and said;
 "Get down, Harry, and walk with me to the house. have something to say to you.''
 Well might the father be proud of such son-tall, erect, the picture of animal strength, with a frank expression in his handsome face which would be his passport