Waterbury evening Democrat., 1890-10-10

have robbed me of the love of the man love and have always loved. His love and es- teem valued ten times more than the Cal edon estate, and you have robbed me of both"
 She paused with dry sob, but went on in moment. ''You offer me friendship, as if all the friendship in the world could com pensate me for my love. l do not want your friendship or your money, for sooner than touch cent of it I would starve in the street. You are mistress of Caledon now Oliver Dudley is your devoted slave. May you be very happy"
 She paused. knew not what to say. Her wild, impassioned words showed me the depth of her passionate, willful nature, and her bold allusion to Oliver Dudley made my cheek crimson, yet my heart swelled with pity for her. Once moro endeavored to comfort her.
 "You speak wildly, Irma," said. "Mr Dudley is nothing to me except a friend"
 I blushed the next instant, though, re- membering that did regard him in a diff ferent light, though that he had aught ex- cept a friendly feeling for me remained to be seen.
 And you refuse my offer of friendship, Miss Barrett" said, rising. She bowed her head
 "You are wrong, fcarfully wrong," I cried. "Believe me, Oliver Dudley is only friend to me"
 She raised her eyes, hard and stony, to mine. Never shall forget their cold, hope less look.
 was all she said, and I walked away, lcav- ing her, as had found her, sitting idly by the window, her waXcn hands folded in her lap
 ''Oh! the wiclIcdness of this worldr' I cried, as went homeward.
 "But for her mothers wicked s"heme of defrauding a helpless orphan, Ir4..i would to-day have been a happy girl, and We should have been as dear sisters to- gether"
 "I had been at Caledon Heights a year when Mir. Dudley, returning from the North where he had been attending the settling of his fathers estate, made me a formal offer of his hand and heart.
 ''I have always loved you, Dorcas," he said. You are the one woman in the world would choose for my wife. Without your will not send me away, Dorcas. Only give me the smallest share of your love and I shall be content"
 It is needless to record my answer. Suf- flee to say that Mir. Dudley did not leave, and that he confessed the share I granted him of my love proved quito sufficient
 We were married quietly, only the dear friends had known in the years of my ad- versity being present. Among these were Bertie Clayton, whose congratulations were as warm and hearty as one would wish.
 My honorcd grandparents, in whose good graces I am happy to sayI at once found myself, immediately took up their residence at the Heights at my earnest solic- itation. Also1my dear adopted mother be- came an inmate of my home, for could not bear to be separated from her who had been to me mother, friend and sister in the time when friendly hands were rare.
 A few words more, and will close. Irma Barrett ever refused stubbornly to accept my friendship or my love; she married a wealthy planter in after years, but fear was never happy or contented. Irving profited by the lesson taught him, for there is to-day no more upright or honest man or one more respected in the community in which he lives. Bertie Clayton is a talented young lawyer and loved by all who know him. Mir. and Mrs. Clayton are both sleep ing quietly in Rose Hill Cemetery and have been for many years. Near their graves is that of Agnes Armund; let us hope after life's ftful fever their sleep is sweet.
 So closes this short and simple story of my life. After all the darko louds were swept away and the sun shone brighter than ever, there is only one regret, one sor- row over which can never feel quite rec onciled, that is that my dear kind, fathers dying wish and prayer for one more sight of his child could not have been granted. But after all what matters iti Will there not be sufficient time in all eternity, when we shall meet to compensate for all the little trials here.
 And so, dear reader, ends the story of Dorcas Caledon, the last heiress of Caledop Heights.
 THE END.l