Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-06-10


 men should Do thwarted in their plans by | weak sirl Swear to me you will aid mo fl this. and on tho day that sses us welded l will give you release from the debts yox owe. and settle on you for the future suu thst will indemnity you against even the haz ards of gambling"
 Leon looked at him with eyes incredulou, and amazed.
 ''You will do this." he gasped, in bswilder. ment. land for herr"
 "I will-mad as 1t seems."
 For moment the man hesitated-soms plying instinct. some touch of natural com. passion for the girl he had so bitterly wronged swept across his heart. "I would do il. }" he said. slowly. at last. "but-there ia aserious obstacle"
 What is it2" demanded the other. with un. controlled impatience.
 ''She Is already marriedr
 With one bound Leopold von Brandstein crossed the space between them and seized him by the throat.
 Hound. spy. Harp he hissed. Do you dare to mock me7 You swore she was your daughter"
 The slender frame of the Frenchman swayed Ike a reed in the grasp of his powerful an- tagonist. His teeth chattered with terror, his limbs shook and trembled.
 So she is. ," he gasped.
 Then why did you utter that lie2" asked Won Brandstein. releasing him.
 "It was no lie," answered the other dog gedly. 'She married a miller in her own village. Whom she joined me he took arms In the war; they had been welded but Q week."
 "His namer questioned the colonel, sternly.
 "Pierre Lsroux"
 A low harsh laugh burst from the lips of the Prussian.
 "So 1t Is he. was not far wrong whom scented a rival in him. A fine brute. but resolute and dogged as . mule. Well, he Is safely netted. The wife of week may soon be widow. Listen. Leon. nwar and sick- ness work their will, and chance ordains that this man may never claim his wife, will you then aid mo in my plans3 Win her I will. on that I am resolvedr'
 II will do my utmost for you," said tho Frenchman humbly, "but-"
 "No buts. Swear 1t. or"
 "Hush." he said. looking timidly around. "Iswear."
 Good. Now you may 60. will tell you my plans later on. Meanwhile. your work must be to soften her resentment against mo. and never cease to point out the ad- vantages my love will bestow on both She has suffered for fllial affection once, per- chance she may sacridcs herself at It's shrine again."
 And with hooking laugh he left the room
 
 Leon Monprat sat thers for long. In his own selfish tyrannous way he loved this girl. and her suferings touched him with faint But he loved himself better, and the cowardice and the greed of his nature made him pliant as wax in the hands of his tempter. He dashed tear from his eyes a he rose at last and prepared to seek his oouoh. He had Q ohilds facile emotions of grief and pleasure. and mixed with his many lacts of wanton cruelty, thers lay repentance and regret that were at once chlldlike in their evanssosnce and worthlessness. "I am sorry for her," he said to himself now. "very sorry; but she will have 6 brilliant life if she but listen to his love, and I-I shall have safetyp
 How much that last thought had to do with the resolution he had formed and the tragedy that was to follow, he never confessed even to himself. He sought rest and slumser, and found 1t too. while in the chamber above, the girl he was to betray lay in unconscious agony of tho hours that passed or the schemes that would draw her into their meshes ere another day had ded.
 Love was with her. still-but love now meant only torture that would never end regret that would never die.