Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1891-02-26

quick blow and IL closed the disturb
ance MS we'll as the right eye of the
man who received it. He staggered to
his feet, growled something about the
police and walked rapidly away.
Mr.. Drane turned TO the lady's maid,
who, very pale, was leaning heavily
Ggainst q tree.
ST trust that did not frighten you."
he said. Perhaps 1 should have been
less violent"
The maid did not reply at once. She
looked at Mr.. Drane in a daze of sur
prise until faint color crept into her
cheek and q suspicion of a smile crossed
her lips. Then Mr.. Drane remembered.
He glanced at his remnant of hat
which he held in his hand, and his eyes
Immediately fell, but he found no COM
fort in his boots, where they rested. All
his gentility departed on the instant,
and he shifted awkwardly, trying to
speak and merely mumbling. With the
Same irresistible gaucherie he passed
his hand over his chin, and the rough
stubble there gave further evidence of
his absurdly miserable situation. The
young woman seemed to realize some
what of his emotions, for her face in
stantly became serious and she said,
| softly:
81 am sure l owe very much to your
kindness, your courage, your muscle.
Truly am very grateful"
Mr.. Drane knew that he was blushing,
and he wondered whether his face were
clean enough to show 1t. He looked up
and saw the young woman's blue eyes
regarding him compassionately.
81 feel as if must apologize for ad-
Of oil - No holt Of
mered. 81 forgot my-well, my loath-
some appearance. 1t isn't mine, it
isn't my fault; in fact I am not exactly
the thing you see."
''Oh, forgive me If have appeared to
notice any thing but your goodness,
SIR" exclaimed the young woman, APP
preaching him impulsively as she spoke;
''you have doubtless been unfortunate,
perhaps soon better days. I am sure
you are gentleman at heart, and am
! grateful, indeed am, believe me, and
without further ado she took his hand
and pressed it warmly in both of hers.
Mr.. Drane WINGED. There was the most
delicate condensation in her manner
and tone; her action said what words
would have rendered offensive: "See,
recognize your nobility Of character, no
y
am not ashamed to acknowledge it." To
be thus treated by n servant!
Yesterday this interesting young per-
son would have stammered in his pres
ence, hung her head, and would have
been overwhelmed at receiving a serv-
ice at his hands. Now, forsooth, she
speaks grandly, airs her superiority,
condescends to grasp Mr.. Lawrence
So,
to experience profound resentment at
this conceited Iady's maid when sur
prising change in her manner aroused
his curious interest She let fall his
hand as impulsively as she had seized
it, blushed painfully and looked at her
white little hands which she folded be-
fore her.
"Alas! 1 forgot" she said, and her
stand, of course. Oh, dear! oh, dear!
You see, !, too, am not at all what you
see me, or what you think am"
Mr.. Drane hastened to give the lie to
his recent emotions.
81 am sure, MISS" he declared, gal
lantly, 81 have seen you and thought of
you only as lady in distress to whom
it has been my unalloyed pleasure to
render some small assistance"
The young woman looked up again.
Her eyes were trimming with tears,
nevertheless she laughed softly.
81 can not help it, miserable as am, ii
she said; "for your words do sound 50
incongruous," and she glanced as If in
spite of herself at Mr.. Drane's tattered
clothing.
Eyes, MISS" responded Mr.. Drane
humbly. Then gathering courage from
the remnants of his pride he added
"And do you know, miss, have thought
the same about your words" and he
made no disguise of looking at the big
cuffs, the emblem OF her social position
II do not wonder" she replied, calm
w. "for am not miss at all am
widow"
lam deeply grievedr exclaimed Mr.
Drane, hastily. "A blow Of that nature
coming upon one SO young must be Sc
we're indeed"
There was a most improper twinkle
in the young woman's eyes as she re
sponded:
pray do not distress yourself NJ,
widowhood came so unexpectedly. wa
such a surprise, in fact, that it wa
moro of n shock than a blow. Their
were certain compromising circum
stances, but, of course, ought not t.
speak of such matter lightly"
mo, I suppose not" admitted MI
Drane, rather obviously. Even in hi
wretched situation he felt an extrao1
binary interest in this young widow
and he wondered again vaguely how
came that she was away from her EN-
ployment at daybreak. She was tappin
the ground with her foot thoughtfully
evidently hesitating about continuin
her explanation. Mr.. Drane was nat
= urally curious. Circumstances ha
y brought them strangely together. Wha
could be better than to exchange COZ
. fdences? He began:
! "You have been so good. madam, a
to admit the possibility of my havin