Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-03-27


 she was quiet. like the quietness of the volcano when the lava Is boiling in it's bosom, but is still held down by the earth armor hich presses it so heavily. There was silence for a few moments. For tine first time 1 looked earnestly at the man. He had not moved from his first position. graceful leaning against the tree. He was tall elegant, with an appearance of perfect satisfaction with himself; hand some, blue eyed, with fair hair and beard. In his eyes there dwelt the smile of the internal deities. His form and face was the shrine of that evil which IS more hideous when beautiful than when ugly. His was the penetrating. evading sin which one can feel, but never dissect and prove. Your heart might recoil, but your brain could give no req son why it did so. His was not the tangible wickedness that defeats itself it was the subtle power that absorbs, conquers and destroys, and gives no sign of deformity.
 What do you propose doingT' Miss Clare asked. A slight flush colored the delicate skin of Mir. Gilroy's face.
 "I propose making you my wife, as you have so long been mine by contract. An, Viviane, have So wished for you! have waited long for the touch of those fair hands, for the caress of those royal lips! Is it strange that am impatient?"
 He spoke like an epicure, a sensitive, refined one, and his eyes glowed with anticipation Could mortal woman en- dure it? But Miss Clare did endure it heroically and with rigid resolve. thought l detected in Gilroy's face the intention to repay himself with taunts for his long search and anxiety.
 II shall be happy to escort you to Bos- ton, Viviane," he continued. Your uncle is waiting very anxiously for you The fact is, we have both. been al- most distracted since your flight. Your uncle Responded directly, but IT would have moved the universe to find you!' He spoke with almost savage earnest ness, but still with calm accent and ele- gant gesture. He went on more 'indf- ferently: But you know he had only 8 fortune, whereas had wife to lose. A vast difference. you will perceive, when the wife in question is Viviane Clare"
 That is sufficient" suddenly said Miss Clare. "The future to which you look forward is impossible. You may go back to Boston as soon as you like: 1 at least, leave here directly" Perhaps you have fallen in love dur ing your retirement" he said, without moving, and looking at me, apparently for the first time. Happily for me, re- turned his glance with a nonchalance worthy of himself Miss Clare did not reply-indeed, he hardly gave her the opportunity. for he proceeded immedi- ately:
 If you would be willing to let friend advise you, don't shock the proprieties by cherishing the grand passion as un- fortunately as your mother did"
 The flame had at last reached the powder. Not till long after did l know why the mention of the mothers name in such terms thus affected the daughter. When did know, wondered no more at the effect of those words. A fiery flame shot into Miss Clares hitherto con- trolled face.
 Do not dare to mention her name again!'' she cried in the tones of an in. suited queen.
 "Really!" exclaimed Gilroy; "have reached you at last, my empress? Your mother never could have been SO hand somc as you are at this moment. If she had been, I hardly blame that man fol receiving all she offered him."
 Tine fury of unspeakable agony and de spair ragged in Miss Clare's eyes; he1 mouth turned white again, and from il there broke the words:
 My mother! Oh, my God! I cannot bear that!'
 Swift as death she raised the pisto which had never left her hand-the finger had not left the trigger. She did not re quire time to take aim; if she had. migh have restrained her. The flash tha streamed from the pistol was not half st terrible as the fire l knew was burning in her soul. but it's mission was more in stantaneous. Gilroy dropped without . sigh, with the last taunting smile still or his lips.
 I sprang to Miss Clare. The mstan she had discharged her weapon she ha( thrown it from her, and stood covering with her face in her hands. Mortified a! was by the deed l felt most vividly thu temptation that had urged it. Irealizee too plainly that I might have done i myself, had my own pistol been read, loaded as hers had been. tried to re move her hands from her face, a fea taking possession of me that her reason might leave her in this dreadful time After moment she allowed me to with draw her hands and look into her face For an instant she met my gaze. should not have recognized her eyes a the same had seen one minute ago Soft, sweet, as the midnight sky of sum mer, they looked into mine with inex tinguishable regret signing in thei depths.
 "Oh, Viviane" I cried, thinking fo ono ecstatic moment that my love wa returned. A deeper shadow fell like veil over her face. She moved away.
 "Attend to him." she said in voic of anguish. and turned and fled towar the house.
 All this had not occupied a momen since the shot was fired. bent over tn fallen man with despair in my heart , Prostrate, senseless as he was, almos