Waterbury evening Democrat., 1892-04-21

visitor in, but he walked in of his own accord, and taking a seat near my table, bade me be seated, too.
 obeyed mechanically, at the same time making a light; then for little while we were both silent, I fumbling the letter which still held in my hand, and MT. Bernard glancing about the room, noting the contents.
 "Well," he remarked, fixing his gaze on me, "you seem to be very cozy here"
 "Yes, sir" I answered; 'I am very well situated"
 "Yes, very well, indeed," he replied. ''I thought when l recommended this place to you that you would find it to your liking, but knowing your propen- sity for accepting things without mur- mur of protest, thought it better to come and see for myself whether you were satisfied and comfortable"
 You are very mindful of me- mur- mured, considerably embarrassed.
 No more than l should be-" he an swcrcd with wave of the hand. "If don't feel an interest in you who will? If I don't show some thought for your welfare. from whom can you expect it? If there was anyone nearer to you, a brother, an uncle. or some other near relative, it would be different. You understand what my duty is under ex- iSting circumstances, and if at times my conduct seems oficious you must re- member that am your nearest conncc- | tion and for that reason think nothing | strange of me-
 made some remark which l thought | applicable to the occasion, but l was | still very ill at ease and my mind deep ly frustrated, and l dare say my words were somewhat unintelligible. l tried to reason myself into the belief that Mir. Bernard's utterances were l from the heart, and that he felt a fla therly interest in my welfare and was striving to serve me as true friend; and, in truth, did believe it in a way. Yet was not altogether satisfied, and, in spite of all my reasoning and all my belief, a shade of uneasiness and fear lurl1ed about my heart. | There was momentary silence, broken by Mir. Bernard, who suddenly remarked:
 "I see you have letter there. Is it from your home?"
 "No, sir,"I answered; ''it is not"
 "Indeed," he exclaimed. "I was not aware that you had friends elsewhere '
 Ut is from one I knew but few days" replied, ''but one whom count true friend"
 "Ah! A lady, suppose?" "Yes, sir; it is from lady"
 May ask her name?" "She is Mrs. Cornell" l answered.
 "the lady with whom I remained a
 week before came here."
 "Ah, certainly. I remember some. thing of her now. It was her son, be-
 lieve. who brought you to my house?"
 ''Yes, sir, it was," replied, little
 shortly, perhaps, for I was beginning tc feel somewhat annoyed. . He made no further remark imme diately, but sat staring into my half averted face as though he would reaG rl my soul in my features. Finally he observed:
 ! That doesn't have the resembanct ) of lady's writing" pointing to the
 letter. ''It is too heavy and bold for { lady's hand"
 He waited for a reply, but I ventureG none, and after the lapse of a momen . he spoke again, more explicitly:
 "Did the lady with whom you stopped write that?" he asked. 'tNo, sir; her son wrote it for her." . answered, considerably nettled by thu : persistency with which he continued tC sI pry into my personal affairs. "Indeed" he exclaimed, coolly. ." sI was sure 1t was written by Q man. A presutue. now, you are very we'll ac ! qualnted with the son2"
 "Yes, cir, I met him every day dur g5 ing the week 1 wac there." Rev aid he isnnrAaa sare"