Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-09-07

cheerIuineSS that he did not feel,
 ''after what your daughter has just
 said to me, there's not the slightest
 Hanger that shall ever repeat my of-
 fer. A man is not likely to make a 1 fool of himself three times with one
 woman. But, tell you. as her moth
 CT, that Helen has thrown away such a chancc of q fortune as she will not soon
 get again.
 Mrs. Willis looked with unconcealed ] disgust upon Hunter. Her mind ad- | verted to the stories she had heard of
 his gaming.
 You knew that my daughter's g
 heart was engaged; it was not the part
 of gentleman to try to win it. As for
 wealth, the principles have taught her would forbid her sharing your ill- gotten gains, even if she were wholly freo"
 An angry retort was on his tongue;
 but prudence bade him repress it.
 Mrs. Willis sat up stiffly, evidently waiting for Hunter to take his leave.
 But he had very different intentions. He assumed a pleasant smile and defer- ontial manner and tone when he next spoke.
 II should hope" he said, "that no unpleasantness may remain from what has just occurred. I hope SO from 3 selfish reason of my own. among others. was hopeful that might bo afforded the hospitalities of this house for few days" Mrs. Willis looked really troubled. Nothing could have been more dis agreeable than such a prospect; yet she felt to some extent under obligations to Hunter. Not an hour had passed since he had brought her the news that relieved her mind of its distressing anxiety. Yet she felt that the request was one that he never should have made, and that his presence i'll the house would cause Helen to leave it. She hinted this as delicately as pos- sible, but he affected not to under- stand her meaning.
 ''The fact is," he explained, ''that the Mix affair, and some other foolish things that l have done about here, will make it safer for mo to seolude
 myself while I stay in Provincetown.
 It's quiet, retired place here. and your husband gave me memoranda from which to write some letters and
 make out some accounts for him, which
 are of much importance. It will take at
 least two days to do this. came hero
 stealthily without attracting observa-
 tion: but fear that I could not get in tho co,oo
 The artful falsehood prevailed, and
 Mrs. Willis voluntarily told Hunter
 that he could remain few days if he
 chose. "rhank you, ma'am; feel sure that your husband will be pleased that you have invited me here." ''The Captains chamber Is immedi-
 ately over this room." said Mrs. Willis.
 "You may occupy it. When he is
 away. always sleep with Helen. down stairs"
 'rhe Captain said something to mo about the old part of the house being
 haunted. should judge that he real.
 ly believed it. Do you, may askP" 'It's an unpleasant subject sir.
 The place has so bad name in this re spect, that the neighbors will not set foot in it after dark. l lived here for years before l was married and used to laugh at these stories. Since then, l must say, have heard some strange and disturbing noises nights, off some where in the old part. Pm q religious woman, and don't believe in ghosts. Captain Willis does, but they don't seem to give him any great annoyance. The most unpleasant thing to me is the talk that it makes through the town; but my hus band is attached to the place, and he won't leave it" Il don't think the spirits will dis turb me-" said Hunter.
 He went up to the roon- designa ted. immediately, and remained there till he was summoned down to tea The windows overlooked the bay; he drew l a chair to one of them and sat down.
 As he looked over the wide sweep of water with all it's craft, an incident oc- cured that for moment struck terror to the soul of this man, and gave him a rude foretaste of the bangs of punish- ment. A bark had passed the cape, ! coming in, whose appearance re- minded him instantly of the Nellie Willis" There were the foremast and mainmast square-rigged, the mig -A, |l](I.i>un