Waterbury evening Democrat., 1892-04-21

familiarly, an action that caused me to start in alarm. eve are relatives, and believe that relatives ought to be in- terested in each other. Whats the use in people having relations if they are going to act toward them as they would toward strangers?"
 still felt little uneasiness on ac- count of his act of familiarity and did not vouchsafe any reply to his remark. If he understood my feelings he chose to ignore the fact, for seemingly taking no notice of my embarrassment, he went on:
 "I presume you have not been over whelmed with attentions from your rel atives, for I understand you have known very few and that those few have not been extraordinarily kind to you. By the way, how did you like the reception Laura gave you yesterday?
 was surprised beyond measure by the abrupt question, and could not have answered it if had desired to do so Besides, had no wish to answer it, because could not in truth say any thing favorable, and did not want to either speak unfavorably or utter a falSchood. So l maintained silence, feeling as uncomfortable as possible.
 "I can easily guess what you think, /" he continued, directly. "You did not find her manner the most pleasant, I know, and her reception was not exact ly what one would like. Your cousin is q queer woman, Miss Owens, a very queer woman. You are a relation, and for that reason do not mind speaking to you as would not to a stranger, or to one not connected with us. will say to you that Laura is not only a queer woman, but she Is a disappoint- ment to me. It hurt me to see her treat you so coldly, because know how you must feel. want my wlfe's people to feel welcome at my house just as mine are, and do my best to make them feel so. I try to make up what she lacks, but you know it is impossible for one to remove the unpleasantness another's conduct creates"
 He paused, but did not look at me. l thought his face very serious and earn est; and his appearance, together with the sadness of his tone. touched my heart. pitied him, and forgetting the liberty he had taken with me a moment before, l increased my esteem for him. I believed that he was a good man, and that in his attentions to me he was striving to make up for the cold indif- ference of his wife. l felt truly grati- fled to him, and tried to thank him for his consideration of me. but he waved my words away, saying:
 You owe mo nothing, Miss Owens. have done nothing more than it was my duty to do. You arc entirely alone in the world, and of course somebody must take an interest in you. You came to Laura expecting her assistance and l friendship, and failing to receive them, | why, then it devolves on me to, in some manner, make good what she with. holds. am very glad to have the power of favoring one who is connected with my wife, and l do not want you tc feel that you are under any obligations to me, for you are not"
 was deeply sensible of Mir. Bernard's kindness, and resolved that would avail myself of every opportunity tc show my appreciation of it. would | exert myself to the utmost to aid him with my services, and on every occasion I would make such return as I could fol l his benevolence. I resolved to tax his generosity as little as possible, and t lose no opportunity of showing hin how truly grateful was for his good | ness.
 With this feeling for my employer
 began work for him. l found my dutie
 light and pleasant, and when l ha
 learned to adapt myself to it my pos
 tion proved as agreeable as I coul
 wish. was independent of charity
 and out of the reach of abuse, and
 was quite happy.