Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1891-09-02
PART II.
CHAPTER I.
10 THE SOUND OF MUSIC

A stroke of the pen-the turning of a
page, and three long years have flown
the cares and troubles have been bravely
faced-the success won-and ], at last,
ann ready to go and claim Madeline for
my wife. Madeline my wifel How chat
one thought has been my beacon through
all troubles-unt1l the glad hopes of my
heart seem about TO be reaIi2edl Fortune
had indeed been kind to me. Not long after
1 had parted from my darling, quite by
accident while striving vatn1y to get work
Of any kind cared not, SO put one
foot on the ladder was to climb made
the acquaintance OF a relative Of my
mothers family-a proud, naughty old
man-who yet for some reason, be-
friended me-made me share his home
and when he died left all his great pos
sessions to me. Nor was this all During
those long years spent In his home In
small town In the south Of France, be-
came another creature. Sickly, and all
ing no longer, the quiet home and balmy
air infused new life into mel was hale
and hearty, In comparison to what had
once been. Rich and powerful-bettered
both mentally and physically, what more
could wants
And Madoliner What Of herr Strange
rs it may seem-during all those long
weary years had never once been at her
side. Letterss many in number, passed
frequently between us-but try as would
10 arrange meeting, Icould not succeed.
My uncle, as his heath began to fail,
could not bear me from his side, and
though I pleaded hard Tor Madeline to
come to lac, excuse after excuse put me
of
My uncle's death. however, set me free,
and after he was laid to rest, post haste
I star ed home carrying with me my dar-
ling last letter, which like all its pre-
decessors, breathsd love and faith in every
line.
Fast as steam could carry me travell-
cd until at length late one night saw
the lights Of Blackwater Towers shining
before me on the hill.
1t had been my. fancy to tread again my
weary tramp of the three years before,
but how lightly my feet speed over the
ground to what they had done them
Up the long avenue hurried, and
paused before the oaken door, looking up
with eager eyes at the home Of nay love,
half expecting to see her there on the
steps to meet me. But bahi why should
1 expect itP She did not even know Of my
intended arrival had kept it a secret
as q glad surprise.
How well recall that night
Again stand gaming up at the house
till it's appearance suddenly strikes me as
strange.
Every window is ablaze with light, and
as listen mingled sounds of hustle, the
hum of many voices, the hurry of many
feet fall upon my ear.
SEor moment am lost In wonder, not
knowing what to make of it, then smile
at my own stupidity. Some merry-mak-
making" 1 say to myself, sis going for
ward.'
pause q moment to consider what
shall do, and then, struck with q bright
idea, retrace my steps a little way down
the avenue to where there Is q side door
by which 1 had been wont TO pass In and
out In those happy days three years ago.
and which know rs usually on the latch.
So find it now. II opens under
my hand. 1 enter and go down
the long passage. l ind myself in the
east wing of the house where the living
rooms of the family are. These are
deserted, and I make my way into the
centre of the house without meeting q
soul. And here, as issue from a back stair.
case only used by the servants, what a
sight meets my gaze