Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1890-06-18


preparation Of grand tableau vivant in
which he was to take an involuntary
part. Presently door opened behind
them. Nine. Chevreul rose and faced
about. Marden mechanically followed
her example. Three ladies entered the
room, Mile. Destain leading by the hand
one closely vailed, Mrs. Vernon step
behind.
Nine. Chevreul took the young sold
ier's hand and led him forward.
Captain Marden," she said, IT have
the honor to introduce you to Miss Lu-
ellie Vernon
He trembled and stood still. Deity
the vail was removed and fell to the
feet of the statue sque figure.
Marden's brain reeled, stout soldier as
he was; he put his hands to his heart
and staggered forward. He saw pair Of
eyes brimful of holy love gazing into
his. He fell upon his knees and grasped
hand whose pressure he knew full we'll.
He heard a voice he never heard before:
George! dear master! 1t Is your own
Ariel" Surprised and hewildered-a
thousand memories rushing tumultuous-
ly over his soul-his fingers relaxed
their hold upon her hand, and he fell
senseless at her feet.
When he recovered consciousness, he
found himself clasped in the arms of
the mysterious maiden who united in
her person the we'll known character
istics of his devoted follower with those
of phantom who sometimes haunted
his dreams, but vanished ere the dawn
of light. Turning his glance from those
eyes SO full of anxious tenderness, it
rested upon the pale faces of the three
ladies whose romantic scheme had re-
suited so creditably to their artistic
conception, but With more serious re-
suits than they had anticipated. But
when he opened his eyes and the color
came again to his cheeks, Nine, Chew
reul clapped her hands in infantine glee
| and declared 1t was the grand climax to
| romantic story.
"And to me-" said Mile. Destain, sis
assigned the duty Of the chorus in the
| Greek play. l am to explain that which
| is obscure and mysterious to the audi
ence, that is yourself, Captain Marden.
| To Jabe Lockes wife am indebted for
| the secret which Lucille confided to her,
| and which like q true woman she kept
| inviolate even from her husband until
she saw the opportunity to dtvulge it to
ono whom she believed would use it to
/ her friends advantage.
| ''It was strange coincidence that I,
who knew Mrs. Vernon's history, was
| thus enabled to furnish missing link
to the identity of her lost child, which
| is now as certain as circumstantial evil
| dence can make it. Last night l made
| the secret known to Mrs. Vernon and
my aunt, and we persuaded Lucille thai
the time had come to throw aside he,
assumed character, and also to test the
quality of your regard for her under the
influence of sudden revelation of hel
sex. In this I think we succeeded
she added, with smile.
"You have done more," he replied
"You have solved the question which
have so often vainly asked myself
why do love this boy more than al
others, and feel his absence as some
thing gone out Of my life? Truly, a.
Jabe said, the mind Is mysterious es
sence, for did not love this woman IL
| spirit while believed her to be a man
| But there is something more to explain
She has brother"
''She had a brother" said Ninon
''but he died on the return to Canada
after his rescue by yourself. This sug
gcsted the plan which she acted upon
She assumed his character, in order t.
be near you. Perhaps you can discern
her motive; if not, she will tell you her
SELF"
To he contlnue,