Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-09-17
UNDER A CLOUD
 -0R,- CLEARING HIMSELF.
Thrilling and Absorbing Story

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 did not expect to see you herc,n ht said, with level look of insolcucc into Nor ris' eyes. Ihe pleasure Is reciprocal It did no, fcem necessary to explain that Mr. Ever 1eigh IS an old family friend during youl call this afternoon. I think if I desired a situation in the bank that he would give ii to me-" And Morris retired best from the cn. counter, ii one were to judge by the quivcr about the coarse lips, that had a trick o1 turning pale with unpleasant emotion
 He dropped back unnoticed among the guests. waiting for an opportunity to make
 ms adleux and retire quietly, for it was no part Of his purpose to drink to intoxication out of this pleasure cup
 It was only an impulse which led to his
 c0ming-the irresistible wish to meet Carol
 on equal ground, little pride, perhaps, in
 showing her and her brother how he stood
 with the Everleighs-and now that this much was accomplished, he was ready to go pack to the sphere which, in manly inde- pendence, he had chosen for himself
 "Rather an expensive fandango for 0 man who is on tho verge of bankruptcy,
 isn't it?"
 "Oh, depend on it, this Is the daughters doings These women! They're the ruin of struggling man."
 "No, don't suppose she knows of tho straits he's in, but any one who isn't will fully blind would see there is something wrong. It will be a come down for her ladyshipif there should be q crash. don't suppose she knows what it is to have n whim of hers denied"
 Tho speaker driftcd away, leaving Norris shocked at this wording of whisper which ran in an undercurrent through those love- ly ttower-decked rooms. A great feeling of sympathy rose in him for the proud, beau tiful girl who had been tho friend and play mate of his childhood. He felt that he could not leave her indifferently, and he fingered at her side when he rejoined her, bringing up instances of their old association, seem ing like the friend he onco had been, and at last taking regretful leave, which left q brighter bloom on the cheeks of Althea Ever leigh and q pleased smile lingering about her ripe, red mouth.
 One other person besides Hiram lneot had taken note of young Bcrgman's pres ence, and felt in a measure aggrieyed bv It. This was Lyman Childer, and it is safe to say that jealousy was at the bottom of his sentiments, for Miss Everleigh had given him only such smiles as she had for all her guests, while that upstart of an ex- messenger had claimed her attention for a AuA nd1I nOur, ana le1t her brighter than he had ever seen her-with that soft light on hor rather cold, rather naughty face
 He did not turn to her, however, when his chance came. He got his eyes on tho disconsolate figure of the banker, and fol- lowed him into a side room which was not open to the guests. Fancying himself alone, the elder man had dropped his mask. He looked old, and gray, and miserable, shrinking as it seemed before that impend- ing blow from cruel fortune; but flush of indignation mantled his check as he faced about when his name was spoken
 "Oh, you, Childer! You made mistake in the room, l suppose, An old follow like me wants to get out of that crowd for little quiet"
 "Pardon me, Mr. Evcrleigh I saw you come in hero and followed to peak to you"
 "You-you haven't any bad newsp'
 Nothing of the kind, unless 1t is bad news to say that know something of the difficult ties which arc around you"
 He broke of, hesitating, as if in search for words with which to express himself. The banker leaned toward him, in the hun. griness for sympathy which a man feels who has held himself forcibly aloof from 1t.
 "Do you know that those people arc blam-