Waterbury evening Democrat., 1891-10-07
CHAPTER XVIII.

THE SERPENT MAKES A PROPOSAL
 Durinr the next two weeks Pearson went to Greens three or four times, and though he never had an interview with Louise, he gave her to understand the state of his heart, and did every thing in his power to ingratiate himself into her good graccs. He also sought | to broaden and deepen the hold he had upon Johns feelings, and upon the whole was quite well satisfied with the progress he was making. He had no hope of winning Louisc's love, but he thought he was gaining her esteem and that was enough. "If can only har ' her respect" he thought, 'l can easily bring her to my terms when the time comes Green will soon usc up the money he bOr- rovcd, and then Louise must choose between mo and hungcr-hunger not only for herself, but for her father and her sick mother. And the victory will be mine by easy odds, for she is such simple, honcst-hcartcd little thing that she will readily make any sacrifice in order to spare her parents. Just few moro days of clear sailing and 1 shall arrive in port with my prize all safe and sound. In the meantime, though, l must begin to prepare the girls mind so that she may be prepared for the climax"
 So in accordance with this idea, Pear son managed, on the occasion of his l next visit, to induce Louise to take walk with him. She was 10th to go, | knowing what his sentiments were to- ward her, and feeling all her old re- pugnancc for him returning in full l force, but she recalled all his kindness to her father and his generous solici- tudc for her poor mother, and she felt it her duty to acquiesce in so small 0 wish.
 At first he talked of ordinary matters, such as any two acquaintances might spcallof, but finally he became moro per- sonal and began to ask her about her life. To all his questions she made straightforward, truthful replies, ac- llnowlcdging that her existence was by no means pleasant.
 ''I should think" he remarked, "that you would long for society and the brighter scenes of lifc."
 II do," she replied, though I try } hard not to. It is very wrong to repine and grieve, but it is not easy always to avoid it."
 "I don't think there is any wrong in it" he said Yours is hard lot, and it is only human that you should long for something better"
 "Nhats the use of longing for some - thing can't have? It only makes me the more miserable, and besides it's { sin against those love. Think of my poor mother, how much less bright hel life is than mine. I know it is wrong ] to grievc over my situation, and Tn ashamed that am weak enot gh to dt so"
 = Pearson made no reply at once, bu walked on some distance in silence He was revolving in his mind tn words she had just spoken and tryini T. to decide how to proceed the most e1 fectually. When at last he spoke
 was to this effect:
 Well, you are right, I suppose, i 2 thinking that it is useless to grieve fo
 what we cannot have, but sometime - we can have things when we do nc
 think so."
 Louise looked up inquiringly, and tn , glance Pearson had of her lovely fac SI emboldened him to proceed.
 You can have happier existence - you choose" he went on. "You ca
 have friends, society and cnjoymen
 They are all within your reach. Woul
 you exchange this life for that?" I I- Something in the cagerness of h n93 voice, as he asked the question, a 4' tracted the girls attention and cause
 her to start. She had an intuition
 his meaning and longed to flee fro
 him. However, as that was not poss - blc. she walked on without making al n reply He waited awhile, and seeir U that she was not going to answer hir
 he repeated his question. By this tin
 she had rcgained her composure, ar her reply came calmly and steadily
 Yes, it is only natural,' she sai
 hat I should be willing to exchani