Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-06-01
MY REVENGE.

had given into her keeping and watching over both with dim wonderment at his
 heart if Heaven at last were not reached, the proud husband and father.
 Such the picture on that morning in early 1 May, which seemed as though no disturbing element could enter to destroy it; yet, in an-
 swer to a summons to enter, servant ap- pears, bearing in her hand a letter. Still,
 with no presence of Ill, her master receives
 and tears it open, not with impatient haste,
 but with his eyes still feasting on the scene before him. Then they turn reluctantly upon the page, and Reginald Archer learns that he
 is beggared.
 At the hands of the man who has been
 friend and brother in one, was the fatal blow struck. Hewas banker, rich and respected
 and held all Reginald Archer's property in his possession. He had speculated, saw ruin
 staring him in the face, and Horace Grey fled the country, followed by the curses of his
 victims.
 Horace Grey the son of Reginald Archer, was not likely to forget the name; I, who. years after, had heard how my gentle mother had sickened and died under the blow knew to whom I owed the fact that I was not as other boys-could not exult over my pony or handsome dress-and that even the edu- cation received was bought by my fathers premature age in his struggle with diversity
 And as l. at IS, looked down upon the cofflnwhish held the dear form, and traced the lines of care around mouth and brow had any one questioned me as to the cause of death, would have cried, Murdered, and Horacs Grey is his murderer"
 few months later, accepted a business offer which would take me far from my na- tive land. l did not care for wealth. Yet, however, all that my hand touched turned to gold, and when, a few years later. turned my face homeward, it was with competency assured for life. <
 Up to this time love had never entered my heart. knew not it's meaning until chance threw Maude Roland into my path. Did 1 say chARce? Providence would have been the better word.
 She was siugdlarly unlike other girls, and perhaps On that account, first attracted me. She had httls time to devote to girlish graces and follies. for heart and soul seemed cen- tered in the old man whose footsteps she strove to guide and support.
 These two lived alone, she young and beautiful, with no companion, save that old father, who was as a child in her hands. Age and trouble had with him done fatal work, but with whatever exaction he demanded she compiled cheerfully. And so grew to love her
 For herself she would accept nothing, save the flowers I sent her daily, but her father I could supply with fruits and wine, and deli cacies necessary to him which he was unable to provide. They lived very simple in a small cottage on the outskirts of the town, but it grew to me to be a hallowed spot.
 One day said to her:
 "Maude, be my wife. I love you and can make for you a happy home, where you still can give your father every comfort;' but she sadly shook her head.
 "No Percy. Here is my post; I will nol desert 1t. As your wife you would have the right to demand more of nay time than I could give you. Often night and day spend by his side; and when he needs me, I must not be found wanting"
 In vain sought to combat her resolution She was inexorable But persuaded her at last to allow me to live under their roof, for her father was gradually breaking down, and at times had fits almost of madness, which needed a strong controlling hand.
 Once wakened from my sleep to find him standing by my bed, his eyes burning with a fefce light, his lips muttering incoherent words, and his hands restlessly moving to and fro.
 cup, Percy! up!" at last he exclaimed. He has been here again tonight, demanding his own; and I must satisfy himl'
 With soothing hands I persuaded him to go back to his bed, and he soon fell into quiet sleep. But after that night he grew weaker day by day, and the doctors warned us the end was near.
 A week later I was sitting clone by his bed side. He had been tossing restlessly for hoNrs, until sleep had conquered him, and my own eyes were closing when I heard him pronounce my name. Something in the tone caused me to look inquiringly in his face. Over it there had crept Rn expressive calm, almost happy, and the .uneasiness had died out of his eyes, which reflected the light Of reason awakened in his brain Are alone?" he questioned. II have a story to tell. If .has been here" (touchine his forehead) "a long time past, but somehow I could not put it into words. I think now I can make it plain. You have been kind friend; you will be so still to Maude when I | am gone, and I can trust you to fulfill the duty impose upon you.
 "Years ago was rich and respected, a man to whom money was confided. I grew 1 insatiate in, my greed. I specu- lated, put all my fortune into investments which seemed full of promise, which in re- | ality were smiling vortexes, engulfng all in their horrid depths.
 I awoke one morning to find myself a 1 ruined man, surrounded by wealth abundant, as I thought, to lift me out of trouble, but none of it my own. All that owned had l been swallowed up. I took the first step | borrowing, meaning to repay. until ruin, ut ter and complete overwhelmed me- I gath: | cred together all upon which could lay my | hands and fled. From that day have never kneHn a happy hour. One man there was, PeFnY who had been to me us a brother noble, generous, true--he had placed his whole fortune within my grasp, and I, cow ard, wretch that was. betrayed even such a trust. But when the deed was done, that seemed blood money. think, had I been f ru;n,y spr1d not hava touobo,1