Waterbury evening Democrat., 1891-12-08

 to him a very fortunate thing that the year before he had met at the Mardl Gras carnival in New Orleans young man whom in his boyish days he had known as the son of Texas planter, on whose ranch Derwent with his cousins from Louisiana had once spent week or so. Mutual "reminiscences and in- quiries had elicited the fact that young Morell was now sojourning in Mexico. "I am speculating in mining properties" he said frankly. "You see, speak Span ish and know the people pretty well, SC I can find things that a stranger could not. Have done good business? Yes, so far have been fairly successful; but I hope to do better yet. If you ever want anything in my line let me know; or if you come to the City of Mexico and lots of tourists are coming now every winter-look me up. Here is my ad- dress"
 The card he placed in Derwent's hand had luckily been preserved by the latter, who wrote at once inquiring of Moren about mining properties, stating clearly what kind of mines he desired and giving margin of price. Morell replied anu 110 udO just the property for him-a very valu- able mine in an almost unexplored min eral district, a mine that in the great markets of the world would easily bring half a million, to be had for twenty thousand dollars because it's Mexican owners were not able to obtain the ma chinery to work it with profit. "There could not possibly be finer speculation than this property" he wrote, ''and, as take it for granted that you want it to sell again. I advise you to lose no time in securing It." The report inclosed was of such nature that Derwent immedi- ately made his preparations for depar ture. and when all his affairs were in order told his mother that he was ding to New Orleans on business and would probably take a run into Mexico" from there.
 Mrs. Derwent was surprised and not very well pleased by this. She not only adored her handsome son, but she de pended upon him in way common enough with women who have never known what it is to stand alone. Men like such women better than those who are more self sustaining: but there are times when this clinging dependence be- comes little trying. Fond as he was ot his mother, Derwent felt that he suffered in his freedom, and, although he had prepared himself for the protest certain to come, it nevertheless annoyed him.
 My dear boy!" in an accent of min. gled astonishment and remonstrance, ''why should you go to Mexico?
 My dear mother" he replied, smiling and endeavoring to keep the annoyance he felt out of his voice, "why should not go-for little change? The country is becoming immensely popular as 8 place of travel, and must be very inter. esting. l shall probably not be gone more than few weeks"
 'It is a terribly uncivilized country, '' said Mrs. Derwent. "Just think of the people-regular brigands! And the rev. olut1ons! If you go, shall be miser. able about you all the time"
 II hope not" said Derwent "There is not the faintest reason why you should be. The country, from all that l can gather, is quite as civilized as our own, and the people are eminently kind, hospitable and not at all given to brigand age. You remember how delighted the Sterlings were with their visit there last winter"
 ''I remember that they brought bach some very pretty things; did not pay much attention to what they said about the country. But why should you go- | and leave me all alone? do not think | you ought to leave me alone, Godfrey Your father would not have done it."
 A black edged handkerchief was lifted to pair of violet eyes that time had not robbed of their beauty; and Derwent with an aspiration for patience, could only reply:
 You ought to know that should not think of leaving you alone. Sibyl Leno1 is ready to come to you at any time anG Halbert"-this was cousin-"will lool after you in any contingency that nigh arise requiring masculine assistance"
 "Why should Frank Halbert be ex pected to look after me instead of my own son?" demanded Mrs. Derwent witl fearful dignity But all young mel are alike in these days-all selfish ant thinking only of their own pleasure"
 If you believe that I am thinking o my own pleasure, you are greatly mis taken" said her son gravely. q wa never less disposed for pleasure in m. life. l wish you would trust me and be lieve that l would not go away in thi manner without good reason"
 Something in his lonesome uninten tional betrayal of the constraint he wa putting on himself-made Mrs. Derwen forget her petulance. She looked at hir with a quick. solicitous glance, "I anything the matter. Geoffrey" sh asked.
 Nothing, mamma" he answered ca ressingly, except that I am sorry t worry you in any way, and yet it really necessary, from business point c view, that 1 should take this journey" ''Oh, if it is business"- she said; tha word meant to her all that was vagu and disagreeable; ''but I did not knov that we had any interests connected wit Mexico"
 ' Not directly, but indirectly" ar swered her son, hating himself for tn evasion that savOred OF fa1sabood xuhic