Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1891-03-05

shiffaH his spectacies from hi, fsreLead
TO tho end of his nose, and he beamed
more bonignly over them than under
them ii possible.
f, ~ am an old man, said he, s'and you
must pardon my Interference in the
affairs of the young. 1 am not yet clear
as to what has brought you to me for q
second time; but let us say it is Provi-
ience-" and he glanced reverently up
ward, the one direction in which the
good mans sight had never failed him.
81 entreat you, my son, be man," he
continued, land leave this strange and
evil course for the better way"
Drane was torn by many conflicting
emotions. The old clergyman's manner
was so kind that Drane could have
kissed his venerable hand, and his
error was so annoying that Dmpe
longed to break his venerable neck.
my dear -" he was going to say
''my dear sir" but Mr.. Knowles let him
get no further than the adjective. He
spread his hands over the pair, in the
familiar attitude, and Nellie, taking
the hint, fell upon Drane's mock. His
utter inability to struggle against cir
cumstances led him absolutely to tears;
and the Rev. Mr.. Knowles, taking out a
large handkerchief, cried softly in
unison.
They were all so much occupied that
they did not hear the door-bell, nor had
their attitudes changed by a hairs
b:eadth when the door opened and Mrs
BESSIE Harland, of Buffalo, N. Y,
walked in. Drane saw her out of the
corners of his eyes, and he tried hastily
to shake Nellie's arms from around his
neck, but they were clasped hard and
fast, and nothing could loosen them.
Bessie gave little sigh which was al
most a sob, and sank upon the sofa.
There wero first-rate prospects of a gen.
uine faint now, and Drane's agony was
proportionately increased.
At tho sound of her late mistress
sob, Nellie turned her head, and when
she saw who had entered her dismay
was so plainly written on her face that
even the faint-sighted old pastor saw it.
He misinterpreted it, of course, and cast
look of disapproval upon Bessie.
! young woman" said he, 'are you
the unhappy cause of difference between
these two?"
But Bessie paid little attention to his
words. She rose unsteadily from the
sofa, threw up her head with pitiful
little attempt at dignity and said:
, Mr.. Drane, came to this city be
cause believed that you were i'll and il
trouble, and hoped to help you as yor
once helped mo. A young man, whom
believe to be a representative of the
, press, directed me to this house. Tina
, explains my presence; but, of course,
, can stay no longer. l must say good
6 bye"
There, sir; didn't tell you you
name was DraneI' exclaimed Rev. Mr.
Knowles, who had been fairly burstin.
with o desire to say it since Bessie
first word had been uttered.
: "Bessie-NTrs. HarlandI" cried Drane
choking with love, rage and other emo
tions which afflict the young, ~ swea
to you that this is all hideous mistake
;. l have never seen this woman before to
day, and don't care to see her agail
= till the day of Judgment, on which oc
:, casion may she escape her deserts! Sh
was hanging round my neck for som
insane purpose of her own; and thi
gentleman"-and Drane softencd hi
voice and bowed to Mr.. Knowles-"peI
. sists that he married u.s.
married." cried Bessie, and she san
;, back again upon the sofa.
" but he didn't, you know" erie
, Drane, fastening toward her. HE
near-sighted or something, and she rea
ly married my necktie-oh, give m
, word, don't know what I'm saying
- but IL Bessie, love you, Go
knows, and every beat of my heart ha
;; been faithful to you since my eyes frs
- rested on your face. May"
''Sir!'' cried Rev. Mr.. Knowles, in
NJ fbundor IGTTbiS 10 DoOro fhar
u can permit. Will you make love to al
- other woman before your wife's eye
" you young villain?"
But this rebuke fell UNDECIDED, fc
Drane's unexpected declaration ha
y proven too much for Bessie's nerves q
ready deeply shaken, and she had falle
= into faintness, as deep, to all appea
y ances, as death itself. Drane spran
~ forward to her side, and Rev. NJ
~ Knowles puttered along after hin
20 Nellie, too, was moved by the sight
her former mistress pallid face, and st
q bid fair to be of moro real use tina
either Of the men. But they were a
y in earnest, and so intent upon their tas
y that they did not see the door open, NJ
did they know that any one had entere
till q harsh voice said: "LawrenC
y Drane, We bloomin' lunatic, I've got
take yer inl'
Drane turned to confront Jimmy ar
the two policemen.
TO BE CONTINUED.