Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-04-03

| AAS 0AuSnteT OTOVo up CO CIle garden gate.
 When they saw the kind, beam ing face and homely form of Cou- sin Adela, with honest old Peach, and Dons overpowering delight, they both exclaimed, ''How delightful to be at home once more!''
 "Welcome home, dear. Herbert, and you, too, dear child. Peach and I were only just saying that the spring flowers here were at their best to welcome you.
 "And how lovely they are; we have seen nothing to equal them abroad, have we, dad?" exclaimed Carmen Cousin Adela noticed great improve ment in her young relative, a gentle cheerfulness, gracious womanliness, as though she had passed through the fire that purifies and refines. "Some letters have arrived for you to- | day, Herbert. They are in your study" '" "Thanks, Adela; will see to them at | once." And he entered the house for that purpose.
 "How glad I am to be home again, and to see your dear old facev' said Carmen, as she kissed affectionately the good, motherly cheek. ''How cleverly Peach has clipped my bower of myrtles;' it looks so soft and green. An, Cousin Adela, see you have had the little iron table and chairs repainted. And what a lovely, dainty color! Opal, is it not, or pale green?"
 My dear, Peach must take that credit to himself. He said, Mum, Miss Car men IS always a-gazing at the sea. De- pend upon it, she likes the color of it."
 "And what did you say, Cousin Adela?''
 II just told him to paint it, my dear, and this is the result"
 "He is evidently an artist" said Car men.
 'No, my dear. A nice, neat, respect able gardener. But come in now; there is the luncheon bell"
 Instead of which Carmen ran after old Peach, who was putting up his tools with careful deliberation. Peach! the paint is a lovely color. It is just as the sea looks on a still, soft evening""
 ''Ay, miss, it be. I've watched that ere sea, man and boy, for sixty years, and it's that changeable; but there is times when it looks like mother O pearl, pink and green, shot like. Maybe that's what Miss Carmen ikes,' says l."
 ''Thank you so much, Peach. It is just what I do like. I have brought you such smart scarf from Spain"
 "Have you now, miss? While I was a-thinking of you, you was a-thinking of mer'
 "Yes, Peach, often thought of ab- sent friends"
 ''Ay, ay, miss. That's right! Friends is friends, wherever you may be-"
 Then Carmen having rejoiced the heart of the old factotum, entered the house Fl am longing for my luncheon, Cousin Adela."
 "Ah, that's rightr' said the elder lady, brightening, for she greatly liked her lit tie efforts to be appreciated.
 Col. Massingbird had retired to read his letters; the perusal of them conveyed contrary impressions, relief, regret There was an inclosure for hls daughter in strange handwriting, and it was ad- dressed to Mrs. Fitzclare. His own let ter was from his lawyer. It ran as fol lows:
 "At last we have heard from our agent in Australia. It would seem from his letter that MT. Fitzclare has been dead for at least two years. But you will learn from Mir. Frisby's letter Gnclosed) the exact state of the case.'
 CInclosure.1
 According to your instructions have followed up the clew you sent me, and it would appear that after Mir. Fitzclare left the Transeang Station he went up the country with a man named Walsh. From what I can learn they went snipe shooting, and MT. Fitzclare was bit ten by poisonous snake, and all though, with great presence of mind, he cut out the injured part with his penknife Unfortunately they no flask with them, and in spite of the strenuous endeavors of his friend to arouse him, deathly collapse overcame Mir. Fitzclare, during which he suc- cumbed. He was buried at Paddington, near Sydney. Inclosed are certificates and other papers, relating to this matter; also letter addressed, presumably, to his wife. It was owing to the advertise l ments ill the various newspapers that | these discoveries have now been brought | to light, as the man Walsh has only just l returned from California. I am, &c."
 'Then she absolutely was widow l when Geoffry asked her to marry himr' l And yet Col. Massingbird felt regret for | the poor young husband, who died so | sad death, away from home and coun- | try, only tended by the rude kindness of | a bushman! After reading these papers carefully through, he thought it better to postpone the interview with his | daughter till later in the day.
 He brought the letters and papers to Garments sitting room, saying, ''These have been forwarded from Australia, dear"
 Every trace of color fled from her face. "Oh, papa, what is it? What do they say?'
 'You had better read your letters" said he, preparing to leave her.
 "stay, papa. Do please tell me the particulars.
 ''Your husband is dead, and has been these two years"
 "Poor Allen!''
 Col Massingbird then read the letters from the lawyers and their agent As he read on, her face became sad and re-