Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1890-08-02

sNot father, dear, tho young man
said. "Don't you remember that story
which We learned OF by heart one
night"
boy, wistfully; /" Mrs. mean granny,
says I may. Father. she's SO good to
mel"
at know ii, laddis; I saw it to-day"
And Gerard's beautiful warm eyes were
looking straight into the Child's, with
laughing Light In their depths, Just as
they used to look 30 often In the old
busy, happy, struggling times. "And
doesn't it make You proud to have an
English history to read ct last7 But,
listen-you mustn't be deludsd enough
to fancy that you will find the stories
there exactly % I used to tell them.
Real historians are apt to forget the
parts I used to remember"
Jets soft, long-forgotten laugh was
good to hear.
"You made lots of them up, dad, !
can guess n0w Y0E 5s D1s6ps
that that-Mrs. jeffrey used to
read, because.-because that very same
night, dad, when / was sitting
SO miserable by the fire, she-granny, I
meap-burned 1t burned it all, every
number, enc after another. I know why
now, but I was frightened then"
Snow go, dear lad, to granny"
The young mans voice was gentle
with an untold gentlensss, and the
child's face-so wistful and SORROW
full now that that night had been re-
celled-was pressed once more in
silence to his own.
A few minutes after that, Jet was driy-
ing along the dusky highway to Church1
i'll, his tired head at rest upon his grand
mothers arm, as she sat upright in her
corner OF the fly, unbent and seemingly
unbendable, but with q strange new
weakness glittering in her eyes.
And the Colonel and Gerard sat to-
gether in the inn.
"Think better Of this decision, Spen.
dir (the old name slips out, you seq /;
come with us tonight, and we will let
you leave again whenever you choose,
even tomorrow, if you wish it. Come
and spend this evening with your
sister"
81 cannot" the young man answered,
with grave decision. "The wish is kind,
as all your wishes are, Col. Stuart; but
cannot-n0r can I even explain why. "
"NeveR mind that" put in the
Colonel; ST understand without ex-
PLANTATION. But trust you will recon-
slider your decision; We shall all be So
glad to take you home with u.s."
"NOt yet, said Gerard, with a sad
ness which he strongly fought against.
"I have stain upon my name, and
and the burden is one I can only bear
What name have ~ Who can imagine,
ga Al,ak ~, 30 klok +
have any name to call my own-or my
sister'sP Col. Stuart, can l use my
freedom until L have won us the name
we inherit That is my first work.
"But this ia absurd, Spendir," ex-
claimed the Colonel, somewhat hotly.
"You are fit now only to rest and sleep;
and Have you eaten anything to-
day."
"Iforget," Gerard answered, absent
"; " am not hungry, SO L suppose ]
have"
A hurt and rather puzzled look was
on the officers face, as he rang, and or
dered dinner.
"Spendir," he said then, laying bis
hand kindly on the young mans shout
heartily, as q man should after q long
days fast. II you will not come with
me, will bring your sister to say good
by but I will not go until you give me
this promise. You viii make her most
unhappy, too, il you refuse me in this.
"I viii try, indeed. Col. Stuart" he
added, with q sudden brightness In his
tired eyes, "is Lima really going with
you-reAlly going back with Mrs,
Esdaile-to your happy, easeful home p
"She is really coming with us, am
glad to say" returned the Colonel, his
face saddening pitifully. "She is MOI
we'll enough yet FOR anything but to resi-
and recruit. The question now il
whether she will not feel the pleasur.
taken away from her by your refusal t.
come. too. Have you thought of this 2
"Col. Stuart" the young man Gaid
"I cannot think how can ask more
from yau when you do so much bu
will you really bring her here before
go, just for five minutes-only fv'
minutes?"
This quiet, sad request was Just wha
the Colonel knew would be the indis
putahle sign that his own proposal wa
unavailing.
eff you refuse really to Join her." b
pany you at once. OF course, you vii
not allow that. 1t would be ruin to he
health to travel now"
"To travel as she must travel witt
me? Yes, it would be bad for her." tn
artist said. "I am only too grateful
Col. Stuart, to leave her in the hom
you offer her until she is better. coulr
not take her but it will be easier to be
gin my travels and work, if hear he
say good-by, and pray God speed me. +"
"Spendir," put in the officer, with
sudden earnestness, "let this uncertai
search go by. You will wear blamelesi
ly any name you choose. Why scare
for one which,"
"But the name I seek, Gerard intel
rupted, with the old dauntleas spirit /
his dark, worn face, sis my mothers
and seek it for her. II can put it o
her nameless grave, and see Lima bea
it proudly and purely-as she woul
bear any name-I think shall have n
wish beyond"
You will have many vishes beyond,