Waterbury evening Democrat., 1890-07-08

him. too. than in that place. Thank goodness, hare got chairs that l can nsk you aud him and such-hke to sit on, without feeling ashamed of myself"
 "I hear Miss Chester's voice now, I think, 1" ssid Marjorie, gently, as she arose. "She has been in next door, and I should like to catch her, that we may walk home together. Good-by. You will see me tomorrow with the pa- per-"
 Hardly could Dorcas articulats her good-by, so surprised and puzzled was she by the fact of Miss Castillian not only countenancing the visits of Lady Athelston's companion to that man next door, but actually joining her after ward, anxious to walk back with her. Standing at the window, but out of sight, Dorcas gazed eagerly upon the meeting of the two girls and her breath quickened to dangerous degree when she saw that "that man was there too, and that Miss Castillain's first act, when she joined them, was to give him her hand with 6 smile which made her look beautiful even to the gloomy, pre- iudiced eyes of the solitary and imbit- tered woman who looked surreptitously. MT. Spendir," Marjorie said, feel ing the color rise and the tears start as she met the look of strange, quiet earn sstness which beautified the artists face while he stood out there in the sunshine, "I've had my usual shindy with Dorcas T mean I've had an engagement with Dorcas, as usual. I cannot think how you escape. thought everybody who came near her had to join in continual skirmish. And understand that you always get the worst of it, unless yea show an enormous amount of pluek-I mean a great amount of energy and de- fy her defy her to the death I hope you do that ?"
 You do not, Miss Castillain," Fitz said, not understanding that her speech was uttered only as a hint to him that he must do so if he wanted any peace:
 Oh, I do," laughed Marjorie, " only I like first to listen to her. She teaches me one or two new words every time I hear her. It's as good as play. Isn't it what King Charles said of Parliament discussing the Divorce Bill ? Now, Lima, shall we walk back together
 |" am ready" said Lima, looking brighter than she had looked for many days. And then Marjorie shook hands with the artist, & strange, inexphcAble comfort for him in her voice and face and hand-shsks.
 Miss Castillain," began Lima, aa they went slowly along the shadowy lane, "I seem to want to tell you many things, and yeti cannot"
 Don't try" returned Marjorie terse- ly.
 "I know I can never repay you any way" said Lima, with sob in her voice.
 "Oh, what joyful tidings r cried Marjorie, laughingly. "You couldn't have told me anything more to your own credit, Lina-not anything. Don't you know how base is the slave that pays 2"
 And then they walked on merrily, talking of other things while Fitz went slowly back into the empty house, and, standing before the fire, watched the burning into ashes of a square, un- opened letter, with the arms of the Athelstons in vermillion on the seal.
 He watched the faint and feathery ashes disperse and die; then with a long-drawn sigh, breathed dunconsciously, he sat down to his drawing, softly sing ing the last verse of "Tom Rowling "- softly singing it again and again, as if that, too, came from his lips uncon- sciously.