Waterbury evening Democrat., 1892-05-13

oIuer you wlII undsrstand tnas men cam
not always follow that course IN the
world which appears TO them most de-
sirable. !"
However young or old may be. Mr..
Birchmore, am old enough to know my
Own mind and to require good reasons
Tor changing it. If you have any such
reasons, wish you'd show your liking
for me by telling me what they are"
"Do you remember talk we once had
in Paris, when you limited that should
accompany you on your jaunt2 told
you then that the past life of man
sometimes had q hold over his present,
constraining his freedom whether he
would or not. And can't You imagine
that those circumstances, however CO
gent they may be, or very likely, just
because they are so cogent, might be
very inconvenient to talk about To
speak Glainly, Gainsborough, don't see
how YOUR loving my daughter obliges
me to tel; you all the secrets of my life"
ST don't want to know your secrets,
sir; wish t1marry Miss Birchmore."
Mr.. Birchnfore laughed.
"Well, you're pretty determined
wooer," said he. 81 can't give my con-
sent to the match because-well, be-
cause cannot; but, If you won't take
no for an answer, nor profit by the warn
ing hereby give you, I'll tell you what
will do: will allow you yourself to
discover and acknowledge the causes
which make your marriage with Kate
impossible. You must not blame me If
the discovery gives you pain and the
acknowledgment causes you mortifica-
ton. l have given you fair warning.
And will only add, sir, that the pain
and modification won't be all on your
side. could not give you stronger
pledge Of my friendship and liking for
you than in thus letting you find out
what has hitherto been hidden from all
the world. And I only demand one
condition-that you promise, when you
have made your discovery and left us,
never to mention to any human being
what our secret was"
81 give that promise with pleasure.
As to my leaving you of my own free
Will, that is-begging your pardon-im-
possible and absurd"
He laughed again and shot another of
his startling looks at me.
every well, young sir, / have nothing
more to say. Come with us to the farm
house tomorrow; there's plenty of room
there, and they are used to being accom-
modating. Stay with us until you're
satisfied, and then-don't forget your
promise"
He rose as he finished speaking and
flung away the remains Of his cigar.
'Good night" he said, holding out his
large, well shaped hand.
"Good night, and thanks for your con-
fidence, which you will never regret,
Mr.. Birchmore."
"Qu viva, verral" was all his answer
as he walked away, with his hands in
his coat pockets and his singular short
steps.
He was an enigma sure enough, and
yet my belief in him was as intuitive
and inaienable as in Kate herself. His
mysterious hints and warnings were
powerless to disturb me; trusted in the
ability Of US three combined to over
throw any antagonist. sat late be-
meath the trees, smoking and brooding
over my passion, as young men will, and
ever and anon glancing up at a certain
window, behind the lamp illumined cur
tain of which had reason to suppose
my darling was. Was she thinking of
me now2 Even as I asked myself this
and gazed upward shadow fell upon
the curtain; it was pushed aside, and the
window was swung back on its hinges.
With throb of the heart sprang to
my feet and waited kiss from my
finger tips toward the face that peeped
out upon me. StayI was it Kate's face,
after all? The arms and shoulders now
appeared, and the form leaned upon the
window sill. A lucifer match flashed,
and had the pleasure Of beholding the
sinister visage of Mr.. Slurk lit up by
sulphurous CLEAN as he leisurely Lit his
pipe and stared down at me.
"Schone CUTE nacht, Herr Gains
borough"