Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-05-24
A Masked Marriage.
BY JOHN F. BARRETT.

"Hush! not so loud," she said, as she struggled against the dislnay that filled her soul at mention of her cousins name.
 "Why, should think" continued Eek ert, growing bolder, that you would on ly be too glad to have the dastardly per petrator of this f1endish crimo brought to justice and punished, cousin or no cousin. He raised his hand against one of the no- blest men in Grimsby, and he ought to feel the heavy lash of the law"
 '' It would kill my poor father to know that Clarence was even suspected of such fearful crime," said Zelda, strug- gling to retain her self-control, "and in the absence of proof it would be wicked to fasten such terrible stigma upon him. As friend of my father, Mr. Eckort, l trust you will not mention your suspicion to a soul for the present"
 "The ends of justice must be served, Miss Carson, and I am bound to hunt down the william that did this deed, l care not who it may be-"
 And arc our feelings not to be cen sidercd in this matter? Can it be that you have no regard for us upon whom this 
 MT. Eckert, after the close friendship which has existed between yourself and my father, you have no more regard for his wishes than to proceed, upon mere suspicion, to bring shame upon his good name and his children, at a time when he is not able to speak for himself?"
 Zelda spoke with energy and earnest ness and Eckert was amazed at the vi gor of her words.
 "You wrong me very much, Miss Car son, by harboring such ideas, and you wrong your father If you think for mo- ment that he would shield a criminal who oImight happen to be of his own blood, and especially in such case as thls, which is without parallel in the history of Grimsby. No, Clarence Carson must not be spared because of false sympathy or futile notions of honor. Upon his own head alone must fall his punishment and his disgrace"
 Zelda's face, hitherto 80 white and calm, now flushed with anger and her eyes flashed with indignation.
 "You talk' she said, like one who possessed positive proof. How dare you, upon mere suspicion, accuse my cousin of this great crime? MT. Eckert, be ware! You may go too far ill your pre- tended zeal"
 Eckert was taken somewhat aback by her tone and manner.
 ''I see you are determined to brave it out, Miss Carson" he said. "Very we'll; you may have an opportunity of doing so. My suspicious, as you call them, are capable of proof, and the detective who is now here can trace q clew with the unerring scent of greyhound. You think have no proof; you are mistaken On the night, or rather the morning of the robbery, your cousin paid a gam- bling debt of fifty thousand dollars that he had lost in a certain room ill this city, and before he left the place he was mar ried, 1 understand, to poor and pretty girl of this town, who happened to be present. Do you think it possible that such things could occur without wit nesses who can be produced when the proper time arrives?"
 His words almost made Zelda dumb with amazement.
 My cousin pay a gambling debt of fifty thousand dollars! My cousin mar ried Y she exclaimed. "Why, Mir. Eek ert, you astonish me. You speak inn possibilities You"
 "It's all true, and I can prove it be- yond doubt, he replied coolly, as he noticed the change which his words pro- duced.
 At any rate, you will not do any thing in this matter until my father re- covers He ought to be consulted in whatever is done in proceeding that so closely concerns him." said Zelda, who was at loss to know how to regard this man that she detested so heartily.
 "To delay ill so grave a matter is to tritle with justice. I do not think would be just to your father, who has been so cruelty injured, or to the community, should I fail to use the information which I now possess. Do you know where your cousin is, Miss Carson?"
 tai night.
 She said the words without thinking, and saw the effect of them as soon as they were uttered. If she had the reply to make over again she would have ans wered differently.
 "Quite so," said Eckert Even his disappearance is against him, and all that is needed now to fasten the guilt of this crime completely upon him, and drag him into the tolls, is to say the word and put this keen detective on his track D
 "Why do you torture me?" said Zelda. "Your words cut like so many scourges. My God, man, have you no pity for this striken family in it's bitter affiiction? Is your interest in this case greater than mine2 ?"
 For the first time since their interveiw began, Eckert noticed in Zelda's eyes an appealing look that spoke the anguish of her soul more eloquently than words, and he thought his time had come at last. 1T have pity, Miss Zelda, he replied, ill tone of tenderness, "and feel for this family, but fear it is you that have no pity. For years I have been devoted to you, and would do anything in my power to make you happy. If you are so deeply interested in averting the dis grace of your cousins capture and pun. ishment for this crime, you can easily prevent it."
 "I did hope, Y" she said, "that you would respect my request to say nothing about