Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1893-12-04

But you didn't buy any of those love
ly, useless things" she interposed in n
whisper. You didn't, surely, dad? You
know the quarters rent
Never mind the quarters rent, Vir-
ginia. You always will drag in these
purely private matters before our
guests"
With delicate Impotence he moved
to the stove and held out his white
hands to the warmth.
Where was when you interrupted
me? All" and he took off his glasses,
lightly Ticking his coat sleeve with
them, 81 remember, controlled my
self. | bought nothing until l saw a
gem that almost made me give cry of
recognition. Against the red cloth in
the lampight and dnst stood piece of
statuary that parted with in an evil
day long ago." He looked at both his
listeners with dim smile, and his voice
became retrospective. How it recalled
the bright spring morning picked it up
in Paris! All. dear me! commenced
bidding for it.
"At last only one voice was heard
competing with me. The owner of it
peered at me through the crowd.
peered at him. Who was it but the son
of dear old friend! All, it was n sight
to see him look at me only half con-
WINGED. is your name Kent? 1T is,
and you are Richard Monklow,' l an
swered. Well, he withdrew, and the
bust became mine. | spent the rest of
the day with him. We lunched at Del
monico's, played a game of poker in his
rooms afterward. All, he's fine fellow,
this Lieutenant Monklow. He's just left
the navy to inherit great fortune. Oh,
what life he has had! Teeming with
adventure. with experience. Lucky dog!
But open the packages, Tom, and see
The Masker.' 1t cost me $50 to regain
it. What matter? 1t is worth hun
dreds"
In moment Tom had the wrappings
of, and the bust was placed on little
stand. The head and shoulders Of q girl
cleaned whitley in marble. She was
represented laughing with unrestrained
gayety, her eyes half closed from sheer
WEAKNESS of so much mirth, her curling
mouth with its range of little teeth just
showing above the small mask that one
| daintily curved hand had pulled down in
a capricious moment.
y lovely thing. Indeed, but sadly out
| of place in that poor room. 1t seemed
strange TO Virginia that her father did
not recognize the singular unftness.
The girl was laughing at them ALL
And to have spent $50 for it! Oh. it was
wanton, cruel!
Touch it reverently, Virginia; it be.
longs to my past" sighed Mr.. Kent.
But. father dear, how-how coul"
you do it?" she burst out with uncon
trollable reproach. Sixty dollars, and
80 many things needed here!'
Tom saw the old mans eyes flash, as
he Strengthened himself from the waist:
That will do, my dear | do not see
that we lack any of the plain comforts
which alas! are all can at present pro
vide-and if choose to add luxurious
| trifle. something associated with the dcal
| dead DAYS. will not" he said in n clear
| studied VOICE. will not be interferet
with. Now if you please. my child
We'll say 10 more about it. Whenever
You want to talk over household matter!
with me, am always at your service
in private"
Nothing more was said, and the bus
was placed near the melodeon. Blu
Virginia could not bear to look at it
Poverty was biting, their needs urgen
and debt abhorrent to her. How many
panels she would have to strain her eye
over before half of $50 was earned. 4
burning mist fell over her sight. Sh,
looked up and met Toms compassion
ate eyes. They counseled her to be pa
tient. All. what did these small brier
matter since he loved her?
There lay her hope, her refuge.
When younger and fresher houses in you
line cease starting up and using the news
papers i'll telling the people how much bet
ter they can do for them than you can.
When you would rather have your Owl
way and fail than take advice and win.
When nobody else thinks it pays to nd