Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1893-02-07

RTdVcly dSSOuICO anu eAuCdN-
ored to look wise.
"Of course" he said to himself, with
his usual facility for quieting his own
conscience. "she sent for me because
she wanted to see me- Isn't that clear
enough? Anyone might understand
thatI"
81 mean" added Mrs. Maynard, with
a curious effect of measuring her words
with difficulty because of her usual
habit of speaking impulsivcly and I'M
guardedly, you understand my--anx-
iety?'
She hesitatcd again and seemed to be
waiting for him to speak. AS he could
do nothing, however, but assent to her
remarks with wise, non-committal air,
she resumed with sudden vivacity:
"Were you very much disappointed
last evening, Mr.. North? 1 was so pro
volxed when Williams told me that you
had called. What is that very impor-
tant communication that you wished to
make? l assure you 1 have been in q
perfect futtcr of curiosity ever since
Williams gave me your message"
Here was swift retribution, truly
North frantically regretted that mo-
| mont of indecision that had been his I'M
doing. Everything danced before his
eyes for an instant as he dizzily sought
in the rcccSscS of his mind for some
| plausible means of eXtricating himself
from this embarrassing dilemma. He
| had gone altogether too far now to think
of rctreating precipitately and aclxnowl-
| edginG the daring pcrsonation that he
had attempted; there was positive
| ly no alternative but to face the Situa-
| ton coolly and make the best of it.
"Oh, really, Mrs. Maynard" he said,
affecting great negligence, civilians
must have drawn upon his imagination
| little, l think. To be sure, he may
| have fancicd that my errand was very
| pressing, but, in fact, don't you know,
it is nothing of Importance, after all. ]
am sorry to disappoint you, Mrs. May
nard, but, really, l gave Williams no
| special message at ALL
| "Oh! Indeed. Then he probably
misunderstood" the lady rejoined, with
! thoughtful air: but North pervously
| fancicd that she was by no means sat-
isfcd in her own mind that he was tell
ing her the truth, the whole truth, and
nothing but the truth.
| II was so confident" she went on
| presently, that you had received
some important word from New York.
Have you really heard nothing, Mr..
North?"
"Not one syllable" declared North,
solemn1y, thankful for the ability to
keep at least within the letter of the
truth without compromising his safety.
''That is very strange, indeedI'' ex-
claimed Mrs. Maynard; then, after a
thoughtful little pause, lasting perhaps
five seconds, she added. gayly:
However, shall not rcpine until
have greater cause than this. am Ger
tainly learning oil the bitterness OF
hope deferred; but what else can ex-
pect, pray? You lawyers are such q
tedious set, with your rcd tape and
legal process and strange and mystic
rious adjournmcnts, and your thousand
and-one ingenious inventions to cause
delay; really, to an uninitiated person
like myself, it is simply marvellous how
long q case can be dragged out after Il
once gets into the courts! No, Mr.
North, don't begin IN eloquent defense
of your professional guild; they DOM
deserve it, and have no time to listen
If they did. had two distinct objects
aside from my natural curiosity about
that very important communication
which you now cvince such perverst
determination to withhold from me, II
, asking YOU to call on mo this afternoon
, In the first place, wish to remind you
of the cxpcdiency of keeping from thu
t major all knowledge of these new in
designations that we nre about to insti
t tutc. You know the poor dear major
pcculiaritics?"
This with an inquiring elevation o.
, the delicate brows, dcprccating curve
of the delicate lips.
North assrntcd with two or thrc
grave and comprchcnding mods, as if t,
say: This is between ourselves anI
is perfectly understood. No furthc
words are necessary"
"Wondcr if one of these self-sam
pCculiaritics is an interesting habit o
listening at the doors?' he unused
conc would fancy so from the caution
way she lowers her voice. by Jovcl
wish were well out of this! VIVA
will come next, In the way of startling
Developments"
"You know" Mrs Maynard cor
tinucd, in the sanc sweet, guardc
tone, breaking in upon North's med
tations, chow pcrsistcntly he has or
posed mo NIL through this affair. II
has perfectly unreasonable horror 9
litigation, as well rs a strong desire t
thwart and annoy me, and he tried i
every way to prevent mo from urgin
my claim in the first place. Of courst
nm not in the habit of allowing my
self to DO guided by Maj. Maynard
advicc in matters of any personal IL
" tcrcst or Importance; still, harmony
\ tho household is something that one
" willing to purchase at almost any COS
and in this case, really, Mr.. North, if
had not been for your professional ~
vice, and your rc;olutcly taking affair
into your own hands and assuming til
whole legal responsibility for me,
II have no doubt that l should hay
u yielded to his prcjudicC:s and allowc
IL my interests to DC sacrificed, just {
ic preserve the pcacc!''
d She sighed family as she spoke, leal
10 ing back in her chair with her cy,
y downcast
"a North's countcnancc wore disturbe
lc expression during the interval of silcnc
AI,k