Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-06-05

wrongs that turn youth to age, and reason to madness. they say. Such wrongsN Nare mine. Do you know what he has said night2 That IT. his wife, have betrayed and deceived him. t steal from his side in the midnight darkness to rlaot another lover. Do you heara A lover. And could hear that and say nothing"
 ''You did not confess?" Tho frightened voice, the terrified face recalled her to her. self. She looked at him in mute scorn.
 Are you afraid of that? No, confessed nothing"
 He drew long, deep dreath of relief ''Thank God P he muttered.
 She turned f1ercely on him. 'That is nlI you say-all you think. It Is not for his suf- fering-ior my shame-that you care; and once believed you loved mel"
 "I do love you," ha said earnestly.
 "Yes, with a wavering, selfish love that rocks not of tho i'll 1t brings, or endure. Oh, hear me-" she pleaded, passionately clasping his hands in her own, "hear me for once and have pity! Release me from my oath, and let mo tell him all. He will do you no harm for my sake. I will buy his release; will follow him to the battle field itself; will seek him through the length and breadth of France. if you will only give me leave to confess alto clear myself in his eyes for ever"
 He locked at her, wrathful and desperate in his sudden anger.
 What you ask is madness" he said "it would give one or the other of us to certain death. and the guilt would be yours. Did you say he had joined the army-this rash hot-headed fool?"
 "How dare you miscall himp she flashed out wrathfully, "you--a coward and" A warning look stopped her words.
 Ut is not for you to upbraid me-" he said. "As for what you ask, it is impossible doubly impossible now-since, by his rash- ness, your husband has placed himself in di. rect antasousm to me. cannot afford to ruin myself for a womans caprice. As said before, the tie between us is too strong for you to break-the oath that binds you to serve me comes before your marriage vows." She looked him full in the eyes. In her own plowed the light of despair the resolve of one fixed and determined on some course of &C., tion, who counts not the danger that lies in the path, and would perish in thu attempt
 "You think SOP" she questioned very camly. "Well, do not. Nevertheless, have no fear of mo, Twill not betray you. I came at peril of my life to warn you now. I have been tracked hei 0 by a woman, vile of tongue and cruel of heart. If she suspects you, know not. In any case this place Is nc longer safe." He started.
 And you have delayed thus2'
 Hnr face flushed with scorn, her eyes sur. veyed him mockingly.
 "Do you hear the pursuer's step already2" she asked.
 "Do not play with me-" he said with sud. den ferceness. "If there Is dangor, say so."
 "There Is danger" she answered him camly, "but we seek it henceforth together" He looked at her Tn amazement.
 "What do you mean2 Is this a time for jest7"
 "Hoavcn knows it is not, neither have the will to attempt 1t. What say mean. have no home." her voice quivered, ''no shelter, no love to look for, save yours. You offered it once, and refused it."
 "But now, when shelter means danger. and protection death, you accept?" he said, in wonder.
 ''Even so."
 "J thought knew something of women," the man muttered, looking at her with doubt. full and reluctant admiration. "I see was wrong."
 For an instant silence reigned between them.
 Her faced looked bloodless as marble, reso. lute as despair. The words she had just ut tered had cost her more than 1t was in him to imagine.
 'You mean t2" he asked her at longth.
 "Of Il certainty do. she answered wearily. "I have no home-I can never look in his face, nor touch his hand till my oath Is ab. solved. I may as well share your peril as live here in shame that will poison my whole future. He will never believe in me again." The mute despair. the utter hopelessness in her face and words, touched even his selfish. ness.
 "It is hard fate." he said slowly. "To lose all through me. Can you bear itr"
 After what have borne to-day" she said with an irony that touched him to the quick, ''you can ask that! had to choose between you both. and chose-youp' He flushed from chin to brow, and remained mute with @ shrinking hesitation that told of the struggle within.
 "We go together ttten2" he asked faintly at last. She lifted her bowed head and looked at him-a shiver ran through her graceful limbs, and on her face glowed the martyrdom of despair.
 "Yes."
 A momentary joy quivered over the hand some womanish features of the man who had wronged and insnared her. ''So best 1" he said gayly. "Once we escape out of this cursed country, 1t will go hard with me if do not win you such splendor and such happiness as you would never have found in wonder dreary hamlet" She made l no answer. In her heart she asked herself with bitter mockery: ---,-..
 "6old; will that content. having lost lover | Then through the chill damp gloom of the breaking dawn they crept like hunted gailty things to the boat that was moored beneath the ruined easements, and so floated on down the misty river to the new day and the nov life beyond!
 l CHAPTER VII "IA GI.oIREr l HE aonnd of wa,