Waterbury evening Democrat., 1893-04-15

forever; let me go, and will so far re- ward you that will speak to no one of what has taken place here tonight, but go my way, forgetful of you, forgetful of this house, forgetful of all connected with it."
 You are very good" was his quiet reply, ''but this wins has to be drunk" !" And he calmly poured out glass while l drew back in despair. '.You do not drink wine?" he queried, holding up the glass he had filled between himself and the light. ''It is pity, for it is of most rare vintage. But perhaps you smoke?"
 Sick and disgusted, I found chair and sat down in 1t. If the man were crazy there was certainly ''method in his madness" Besides he had not a crazy eye: there was calm calculation in 1t and not a little good nature. Did he simply want to detain me, and if so, did he have a motive it would pay me to fathom before exerted myself further to insure my release? Answer ing the wave he gave me with his hand, by reaching out for the bottle and fll- ing myself glass, forced myself to speak more affably as remarked: ''If the wine must be drunk, we had better be about it, as you cannot mean to de- tain me more than an hour whatever reason you may have for wishing my society,""
 He looked at mo inquiringly before answering, then, tossing off his glass, he remarked:
 "I am sorry, but in an hour a man can scarcely make the acquaintance of another mans exterior"
 '"Then you mean"
 ''To know you thoroughly, if you will be so good. may never have the oppor- tunity again."
 He must be mad; nothing else but mania could account for such words and such actions; and yet if mad why was he allowed to enter my presence? The man who brought me here, the woman who received me at the door, had not been mad.
 "And I must stay here" began.
 '"Till am quite satisfied. am afraid that will take till morning."
 gave cry of despair, and then in my utter desperation spoke up to him as I would to a man of feeling.
 "You don't know what you are doing; " such cruel detention. This night is not like other nights to me. This is a special night in my life, and need it, I need it, I tell you, to spend as l will.
 "The woman I love"-it seemed hor- rible to speak of her in this place, but I was wild at my helplessness and mad ly hoped might awake some answer ing chord in breast which could not be void of all feeling or he would not have that benevolent look in his eye ''The woman I love-" repeated, tsails for Europe tomorrow. We have quar- reled, but she still cares for me, and if can sail on the same steamer, we will yet make up and be happy"
 "At what time does the steamer start?'
 At nine in the morning."
 Well, you shall leave this house at eight. If you go directly to the steamer vou will be in time"
 ''But-but," l panted, ''I have mada no arrangements. shall have to go to my lodgings. write letters, get money ought to be there at this moment Have you no mercy on 0 man who never did you wrong and only asks to quit you and forget the precious hour you have made him lose"
 "I am sorry," he said, ''it is certainly quite unfortunate, but the door will not be opened before eight. There is really no one III the house to unlock it's
 "And do you mean to say," cried, aghast, "that you could not open that door if you would, that you are locked here as well as I, and that must re- main here till morning, no matter how feel or you feel?"
 ''Will you not take cigar?" he