Waterbury evening Democrat., 1892-05-09

IL. MY papa used 70 teil me apout u
sometimes, and he is a great traveller
he has been everywhere. But didn't
realize it until saw for myself"
"HaTe you been to America since
leaving the conventT
"Oh, yes went to New York, and
saw my cousins there Papa went with
me, but he came back to Paris first and
followed later. | met him again in
Paris only few weeks ago. He will be
surprised to see you here, Mr.. Gainsbor-
ough. What a funny way you have
chosen to go from Paris to Rome
through Dresdenl"
eyes, L-but, by the way, how did you
know was going to Rome? And why
will your papa be surprisedY
Again she laughed, and regarded me
with so delightfully."- mischievous a
glance that l felt convinced must in
some way be making fool Of myself
What did it all mean? bit my lip and
the color came into my face from provo
cation at my own evident thick headed
ness.
eff you had only waited little longer
in Paris" she continued, still smiling
enigmatically, perhaps we might have
met in more regular way, and perhaps
then you would have let me have look
at your-diamonds"
My diamondsi That explained the
mystery in flash. a..
els your father Mr.. Birchf&oreg'
al am Miss Birchmore, if you please.
sir. You never asked me for my card,
and didn't like to force it on you. 1t
was so kind Of you to take me on trust,
without making sure that was all right
first. thought Englishmen were more
cautious and reserved"
could now join in the laugh against
myself with full appreciation of the ex-
cellence of the jest. Mr. Birchmore.
then, had been a married man after all
OF course he was. Why had | Aot be-
fore remarked the strong family like
ness between him and his daughter?
Take her on trust, forsooth How
longed to retort that was ready to take
her for better, for worse, then and there,
If she would have mel Ii she were a
fair specimen of American girls, what a
nation of hours they must be indeed
But then they were not all brought up
| in French converts. It was that that
added to Miss Rirchmore the last ire
sistible charm.
That it was that gave her that naivete.
that innocent frankness, that uncon-
scious freedom. And this lovely creature
had actually know me by report before
we met. Her father had told her Of me,
and evidently he had not given me a
bad character. And this accounted for
the favorable change in her manner
when she saw my card. Well, it was
altogether delightful. had been guided
by happy destiny; thank fortune,
had so conducted myself as at least not
to prejudice Miss Birchmore against me.
| Verify, good manners are never thrown
away, and moreover prided myself (as
| fancy most gentlemen do) on my abi
ity to detect true lady at glance
We now resumed our conversation on
still more confidential footing than
heretofore Miss Birchmore related
many amusing anecdotes of her late ex-
perience in New York, as well as of her
earlier days in the convent, and even
some passages of her child life previous
to the latter epoch observed, how
ever, that ever and anon she would
check herself, seeming to pass over GER
tain passages in her history in silence,
and this reminded me Of the similar be-
havior which had noted in her father.
That secret, that mystery-whatever it
was that weighed upon him-had cast
its shadow over her young heart like
wise. Honestly did sympathize with
her unknown trouble, and ardently did
| long-all vulgar curiosity aside-tc
have the knowledge of it impaired tc
me. Few calamities are SO heavy as
that by earnest and friendly help they
may not be lightened. What could il
he? In vain | asked myself that ques
ton.
Here was this lovely girl, in the first
fresh Aom of existence, just beginning
to taste With eager, uncloyed palate al
the sweet joys and novelties of life
health, youth, happy temperament
and ample wealth ranked on her side
and yet this bitterness of misfortune
not by rights her own, must needs com
municate its blighting influence to her
1t was tragical to think of. Yes, eve
and anon l could mark its traces in he,
vivid face and winning bearing; pass
ing gloom of sadness in those wonder
full eyes; culver of apprehension abou
the lips; an involuntary gesture of nerv
business or lassitude; many trifing signs
scarcely perceptible perhaps to regarC
less keen and watchful than mine hat
already become. Already? But tim
in an acquaintance like this is not to b
measured by hours or minutes. It is
trite saying, and yet how true, that thos
who are under the influence Of a strong
emotion may live years in few hear
beats.
"Please-oh, please don't look SO sol
emn, Mr.. Gainsborough! What ha
happenedp l should think, to look a
you, that you had been robbed Of you
! diamonds at the very least"
"No; they are safe enough" said
calling up as cheerful tone and aspec
as could master, and putting my han
over the inner pocket as spoke, car
you fond Of diamonds"