Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1890-07-30

drove straight to The Anchorage. he
might Just as well stay there, he thought,
until Miss Marjorie was ready. 1t was
q pleasant place to stay at, as all the
Hawkedale servants knew.
But James and the phaeton were no
sooner safely out of Miss Castillain's
sight than she followed them, slowly
and cautiously, without having entered
the park at all
Down the lane, between the over
arching elms, she loitered until she
reached the two cottages standing tc-
gether; then she turned in at Mrs.
Cheere's gate, and walked up the garden
with tired, languid step. Dorcas slowly
opened the door upon her.
"I want to ask you to allow me to rest
few minutes" began Louisa, in her
most insinuating tones. "Ipersisted in
quite tired already"
"'Tisn't far, either" put in Mrs,
Cheere, rather icily.
mot very far, as you say" returned
Louisa, forcing a conciliatory smile, ''but
I suppose | am out of practice for walk:
ing any distance. / decline to drive
obstinate people aren't those that
you sit down, Miss Castillain ~
That sounded quite gracious from
Dorcas, and Louisa glanced at her With
q similar graciousness, but ahe saw NO
Qnbending of tke woman norma;
rigidity.
81 see you have Mr.. Spendir's boy
with you still, Mrs. CAeere," she said,
gianclng to where Jet stood quietly
washing up the tea things, while Dor
cas- dried them: How kind it is of you
to keep him still |"
Louisa emphasized the "still pleas
antly and admiringly, but she knew, as
we'll as Marjorie did, the whole story of
and the child's claim upon her.
eyes, at present." returned Dorcas,
shortly.
"Poor Lady Adhesion is very much
distressed about this trial tomorrow.
began Miss Castillain, conjecturing that
her listeners attention would immedi.
ately be won by mention Of that lady's
name.
But Dorcas stolidly awaited further
information, and 1t present vouchsated
no remark.
eft Is most distressing thing" con-
tinued Louisa, "for one ia her position
to have been subjected to such an i'm
posture, and to have to be now asso-
ciated by name with such Q person as
Miss Chester must be.h
Every distressing" assepted porcas,
quite promptly now,
"And eonnected-through her." con.
tinued Miss Castillain, greatly encour-
aged, "with criminal.
~
with hveliness. eyes, but my lady,
nor none of us, won't be troubled long
with him."
Keen and searching WAS Miss Castil:
lain's glance into the woman's face, then
her lips rippled into satisfied smile,
Gwen your evidence would insure
that, would it not, Mrs. Cheere ?" she
asked, plausibly. "But I, too, think
it privilege to be instrumental in
bringing such criminal to justice, and
freeing nervous people from being inn
posed upon or terrified"
"It is our duty to tell the truth" re-
marked Dorcas. stonlly; d" of course, we
like to do it, and to punish any criminal
we've been unfortunate enough to be
living near for a time"
81 fancy that the words you and Mr..
jeffrey overheard would be quite as eff
fectual in proving him guilty as my wit.
Messing the crime ITSELF" Louisa said,
placidly; sat any rate, Mrs. Cheere, /
look upon you as the one who win most
nearly share with me the task of expos.
ing guilt. am so glad to know that
you look upon this task in the same
light as that in which myself see it. L
know you do, Mrs. Cheere?"
Tho xuorSa xvaro Yo11k no a o,,aaEsoy,
graciously and rather fatteringly, and
Dorcas answered them, though with Q
curt acidity.
"Tm glad enough to tell the truth.
I'm not going to say anything but the
truth. No fear, Miss Castillain 4; it isn't
my custom. Didn't l direct the police
to him myself, and tell them all I had
heard him say-everything {? So, even
if I'd wish to eat my words, couldn't
after that at least it wouldn't be any
use trying. I've not lived near that
man for six months for nothing, and I'll
I'll tell the truth of him, whether it
brings him to the gallows or not. shall
be on my oath, as many of you will, and
it isn't very likely I'd perjure myself for
such as he"
Indeed, no one could ever dream ct
you doing that" said Louisa, eagerly !:
emo one would ever dream it of you any
more than of me, Mrs. Cheere. But I
must really go, pleasant as it is to rest
here. I cannot indulge myself any
longer"
Louisa rose, making her adieus-as
Marjorie would have said, "with pain
full gush."
"The poor little boy, too" she re.
marked, with gentle commiseration his
evidence would be almost sufficient with
out ours. would it not? And the other
child's, too I'm very sorry for them
both"
"They're young to come forward in a
court of Justice" remarked Dorcas,
stitly; "still, it can't harm them. Are
you rested, Miss Castillian ?"
"Oh, yes, thank you" smiled Louisa,
every much rested and 1 may meet
the carriage from home, perhaps. Good
evening, Mrs. Cheere."
Relieved of an anxiety which had
been worrying her more than she would
have cared to acknowledge, Louisa