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


less should not be held; ergo, man who
appears to be n vagabond and disreputa-
bile is vagabond and disreputable, and
SO much the worse if he stuhbornly en-
deavor to maintain tho contrary. Such
was the abitter train of reasoning in
dulged by Mr.. Drane as he and the fair
young widow went to the bench from
which she had been driven, for she was
fair, Notwithstanding sundry evidences
of sleepless night, and interesting in
spite Of her big cuffs and lace frill.
ITO begin, as q woman must. at
neither end of the story" she began
when they were seated, ''you must know
that possess immense wealth.
Mr.. Drane rose quickly.
II beg your pardon for the interrupt
tion," he said, ''but do you happen to
have any of that with you?"
"Alas!no, she replied, dismally. land
that is not the worst of 1t"
Its as bad as it can be for the mo-
ment," Mr. Drane insisted, as he re-
sumed his seat. "You see, would have
been very glad to give you my note for
five hundred if you had it convenient"
The young woman looked at him
searchingly.
81 should be wicked if / did not de-
sire to help you, poor man." she said,
gravely, land l trust the time may come
speedily when I shall be able to do So"
Mr.. Drane was stung, but not crushed
You must understand, "he exclaimed,
that should repay it. I've got plenty
of money. that is. there's plenty be.
longing to me, and can get it if can
only prove my identity"
The young woman's eyes were dilated
with wonder and doubt.
'Strange!" she said, slowly, for that
is exactly my own case. You shall tell
me your story presently. Listen to
| mine. I became an orphan at an early
age, and until little more than a year
j ago lived with my guardian, q warm
friend of my fathers, in Buffalo. At
! the time of which am about to speak
with some particularly had just at
tanned my majority, so that l controlled
what little property had been be-
i queathed to me. still lived with my
guardian, however, and had not thought
! seriously of the fact that ! was at last
absolutely responsible being in the
! world. There had been some suitors
| for my hand, but to none had shown
! the least favor. That they were all sim
! cere have no doubt, for my fortune
! was too slight to be a temptation
! Among them was a singular young man
! of really immense riches. He was gen.
orally credited with being the possessor
of thirteen millions"
"Deuced unluclsy figure" interposed
| Mr.. Drane
| You shall seo," said the fair mar
! rator. 81 could not bring myself to feel
! towards this young man as I believe a
woman should towards husband, al
! though had no reason to entertain any
thing but respect for his character. My
! guardian pleaded with me to make a
match so palpably desirable, but could
! not consent. 1t was while this matter
| was pending that some of my associates
| arranged to give an amateur theatrical
performance for the benefit Of charita-
BILE institution. AS fortune, or perhaps
Shrewd design, would have it, this
wealthy young man and were cast for
| opposite parts. ! had plainly rejected
his proposals to me, but he would not
take no for an answer, and he persisted
in quiet, good-natured devotion that
| could not resent, but which began to
grow irksome, until at last feared that
should have to marry him in order to
be free from him. 1 was in this half
tormented spirit when we met one night
at private house for rehearsal
HE was always insisting that we
should go over our love scenes again
and again, and the others who under
stood the situation sided with him. At
the end of that evening, having leased
me as much as possible, he suggested
that we carry the story of our play to
Its logical conclusion by rehearsing a
marriage ceremony. It's something
we must all come to- he said, and l
imagine that fellow would feel much
better before the altar if he had learned
how to go through the motions The
others, silly young things! were fired
with the idea and without further
| thought arranged the furniture SO as to
represent an altar, the chancel rail and
all that"
"A very reprehensible proceeding, =
commented Mr.. Drane. The young
woman was about to proceed when a
gray-coated officer, one of those guardi
ans of public parks ironically known
as sparrow chasers," stepped up and
addressed Mr.. Drane:
Say, yous, do you think nobody else
don't want to sit down? I let you SLEEP
off your Jag here, see? an it's bout time
you moved on, see?"
Mr.. Drane was about to resent the in
reference when the young woman
whispered:
Say nothing and obey?'
!, So they rose, and followed for mo-
ment by the polioeman's curious eyes
, walked along the winding path to an
: other bench, where they Shutdown again
"oficious impudenceI" muttered Mr.
Drane.
Never mind" said the young woman
, soothingly, "he has to do something tx
: earn his pay. Let me see, where was
. | on the other bench?"
"At the mock chancel rail"
"Oh, yes; we'll, leased as 1 was con
7 sented to the farce, saying that it should
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