Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1893-03-10

the hall paper. Deep-voiced men par
leyed as to the monthly rental; fat old
gentlemen asked questions in husky
accents.
The next morning, however, dove
winged peace once more settled on the
field of action. The agent came up and
removed the bill
1.-THE house is TAKEN" said he.
"Who's took it?" demanded Dorcass
who CHANGED just then to be securing
the brasses. But the agent either did
not know or would not tell. Dorcas
heaved a deep sigh. "Den," says she,
we've got to crar out"
The landlord sent Selma q polite
note in a day or two. He had conclud-
ed, he wrote, to accept her offer of the
furniture and belongings as an equiva-
lent for certain portion of the unpaid
rent. =
"Now," said Dorcas, what is We to
do?" Z
Poor Mrs. Spencer was all in hut-
ter. The Newport scheme delighted
her, and she was very busy looking
| over her wardrobe with reference to
the coming visit Selma had written
to the aunt of an old schoolmate of
hers, who kept boarding house in the
fair seaside city, asking her lowest
prices for n comfortable room. Dorcas
was to go with Mrs. Spencer as attend
| ant and maid, and Selma had resolved
to hire a room in New York and board
herself as well as she could.
But this has been a dear old home,
she murmured. ST wonder who will
sleep in my room. I wonder whose
hands will strike the yellow keys OF
mammals old piano, and dust my flow
cred blue china, and arrange the old
fiddle-backed chairs"
The purple sunlight shone softly in;
the scent of stalk of hyacinths in q
glass on the mantel brought back rem2
iniscences of the old southern flower
gardenS, and all of a sudden n voice
which she had last heard in those very
gardens struck on her ear.
Selma, have startled your"
He extended cordial hand.
perhaps you fancied could not
trace you out?'' said he. "But am
better at hide and seek than you
thought"
She courtesied haughtily. His hand.
some countenance fell. Evidently he
was deeply disappointed.
"Are you not glad to see me, Selina3"
he exclaimed. "Ah, SelipaI had
counted so much on this interviewi /
had planned to renew my suit--to ask
you once again to be my wife"
She drew her slight figure up.
"You are presuming too much on my
very evident poverty. Mr.. Berkeley"
said she. 81 refused when was Miss
Spencer, of Spencer Vale. What sort
of woman should be If were now to
accept you-simply as a protection
against adversity2"
"But, Selma -"
"Pray excuse me from any further
discussion of the question:" said Sc
lima.
MAY not hope to see your mother2"
he persisted.
81 should prefer not"
do you know, Selma" he said, after
brief silence, "that this is a very bit
ter modification to me%'
''Is it? Then what must it be to me?''
she retorted. almost fercely, looking
up at him.
He stood second or two gazing sad
ly at her. Stung by his scrutiny she
swept from the room like an angered
princess.
Half minute later she came hurry
ing back, full of sweet strange misgiv'
ings. But he was gone.
II have let another opportunity slip
byW she murmured. ''Oh, heavens
where is my life drifting to?"
At that moment Aunt Dorcas ushered
in the landlords fussy, bald-readed
old gentleman, with q fur collar to his
coat
Good evening. Miss Spencer" said
| I. At a.. 4. a
here"
'The-I beg your pardon" said So
lima.
1.-THE gentleman who has purchased
this house and furniture" explained
Mr.. Beasley, land settled 1t on yoursel
and your mother. A friend of yours,
suppose-Mr. Berkeley"
Standing sadly in the shadow Of the
rustling poplar boughs outside, George
Berkeley felt the magnetic influence o
another presence. A soft voice stirred
the twilight air like the far-of must,
of forgotten days.
"Mr. Berkeley" it said-'Georgel-
please will you forgive me?"
A dead silence ensued.
won't you, George?" with a littl
, sob in the voice. IL didn't mean Il
= SPSdh 81 hdfShAJ " Jou' NAOh
know then what know now of you
noble generosity"
, Silence-only silence still.
! IF accept it for dear mamma
, sake, you surely will not misinterpre
, me. Oh, George! how can you be s.
" cruel? Why don't you answer me
What are you waiting for me to say?
And still no word broke that haunt
= ing silence!
= George" in n low voice, CIV
&. changed my mind. I will be you
wifev'
, He took her in his arms.
Dear sweetheartr' he murmure6
"Dear little melting snow wreath.
g knew that love would conquer you q
lastr'
When Mrs. Spencer heard of the or
y gagement she said quietly:
~ always thought they cared fo
. each other, but since your master dice
= Dorcas, my poor head has scarcel
been itself; but make haste and fms
Tho poolsiDr We ara poincr tn Nav