Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-04-30

-SS5EIE=XE15eAASSA ing peace, the soft air, | and the echo of my wife's words of comfort had their soothing l thought. "I am tormenting myself un- necessarily"
 Suddenly heard sound that startled me Y: 1t was the sound of woman sobbing; a form glided from the shadows, and, falling at my feet, seized my hand. which became bedewed with tears.
 "Mademoiselle p cried.
 For it was, indeed, Mdlle Rosalie who knelt at my feet, and was holding my hand to her lips.
 Pardon me-" she sobbed; 'oh, par don meP'
 "Rise, beg of you,"I said. much dis turbed. "Why are you here7 This is no place, and this Is not the time, for us to be seen together"
 We are alone, sir, she said, her sobs con- tinu1ng. "No one can see or hear us, An. SIT, listen to mel As you hope for mercy yourself, grant it to despai ring woman? As you hope for peace, bestow 1t upon msp
 Il do not understand you," said; and should have had heart of stone in my breast had l not been touched by her plaintive voice. II will listen to you-yes; but must Insist upon you rising"
 She obeyed me; but she trembled so as she rose from the ground that she was com- pelled to cling to me for support.
 "Now, mademoiselle," said. 'I will lis. ten to what you have to say, if you insist upon it."
 "It you speak so harshly," she murmured. T shall diep
 "I have no wish to speak harshly to vou.n said, in more gentle tone. "But I have right to ask why you seek me ar such an hour?"
 "To implore your forgiveness" i" she replied. to recover my place in your esteem. To know that you have ceased to respect me. that you think lightly of me, is more than I can bear. Your good opinion, your good word, is more precious to me than life itself. An, sir! How shall confess 1t? I have de- ceived you.'
 II know it," said.
 You know ftp she echoed, softly. "And yet you have spared mel And yet you have not driven me from your housep
 For that, mademoiselle," said, "you may thank my wife' and daughter, who have no suspicion that you are not what you repre- sent yourself to be. You hold q place 1n their hearts wh ich you have in some strange man. her won. They have invariably spoken we'll Of you; they have invariably defended you."
 Defended met" she exclaimed. and now her voice expressed dignifled remonstrance. "From what2 from whom? Who has dared to vlllfy me, defenceless woman, whose mlsfortunes entitle her to respect? Not you sir, not you! Do not tell me that you have done me such an injusticep
 "Mdlle. Rosalie," I said, somewhat con- founded by the attitude she assumed. "I have learned that concerning you, which, I will not disguise from you, has instilled doubts into my mind; have seen that which you must yourself admit could not but strengthen those doubts"
 ''You saw me this afternoon" she mur- mured, Gin lonely spot, embracing 8 man."
 "A man," I added, "who is now working for me in a menial capacity"
 'I deny it l" she exclaimed, with indigna- ton. No labor is menial which is honest, Is it not proof how greatly you are preju- diced against me when you can commit yourself to such statement-you, whom I venerate as the personifcation of truth and justice2 An, sir, confess that you were wrong."
 ''Yes." I said. abashed by the reproof, "I confess it-I was wrong. But neither you nor he can deny that he is in my employ ment under false colors."
 ''I do deny it. for myself and him. He sought for honest labor, and obtained 1t, Is that a crime?"
 'No."
 "what else can you bring against hima You have not spoken to him, have scarcely seen him; and yet you, the most just of men would blast his character. It is not for you. living in the lap of luxury, with unlimited wealth at your command, who have but to wish to have--it is not for you to know to what hard straits necessity drives a man. It is not possible that you should ever be driven, as he and have been driven, to sock. in lonely lot and among strangers, for the simple necessaries of life. It Is not possible that you should ever feel the worlds cruel injustice as we have felt 1t; that you should have to bear the anguish and the sting of unmerited misfortune; that the finger of Shame and reproach should be pointed at you-a man unstained by crime or dishonori You stand above all this. Be merciful. be charitable, to those who are not as you are"
 Had 0 vision of the future risen before mo at that moment Ishould have stood appalled, As it was, I was powerfully affected by the i, appeal, and all my doubts of her seemed to ] melt away.
 "Mademoiselle," said. 'you have, per. haps, reproved me with just cause. But had known that you had a lover.-" CONCoRD BUGGIEs,