Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1894-05-04

lise. Their mothers illness made an ex-
cuse for keeping Sallie and Tom at home
from school, but the great difficulty was
to detain them in the house until a ref
uge could be found where they would
not hear their father discussed.
Miss Barclay pondered this problem,
wholly Indifferent to the objects that
formerly would have attracted and in
terested her. She looked ahead, seeing
only her way, but suddenly mans
figure approaching caused the blood to
rush to her cheeks, while her heart again
commenced it's painful throbbing. Mr..
Andrews was one of her most devoted
admirers, her most regular caller, her
favorite escort. Did he also see her? She
raised her eyes, with feeling of des-
peration. He was steadily regarding
something Oh the opposite side of the
street, and as she passed him she knew
intuitively that he was purposely avoid
ing a meeting. Perhaps it was done out
of consideration for her. She was will
ing, quite willing, to give him the ben
eft of the doubt But the incident caused
new reflections She could not but admit
to herself that the family was we'll nigh
friendless. Only very near relatives had
come to the house since the publication
of the news of the defalcation and her
brothers disappearance from his post as
assistant cashier, and these relatives had
only come to moralize on his folly and
offer useless advice. Substantial help
was out of their power. At length SEN
sation of physical exhaustion overpow-
cred her. She felt like falling, and she
attempted to hail passing street car.
An obliging person i'll her vicinity stop
ped the vehicle, and she felt sure that he
assisted her to q scat. She seemed to be
under the influence of a terrible dream,
out of which she must awaken to find
herself the happy girl Of former days.
The blow had fallen SO suddenly that
perfect realization Of its full meaning
was utterly impossible. She found her
self revolving one idea Oh the next Sat
urday. MI. Messenger would at least see
her again. 1t was necessary for her to
think deeply, to overcome this tinnidity,
this nervous excitement, this cowardice
Of conscious disgrace and present every
possible argument, every plea that could
be urged in her brothers behalf.
When she reached homo, the children
were at lunch, and her sister, n-law was
asleep so she had a short respite from
eager eyes and pointed questions. She
had no wish for food. Solitude was the
only desire she knew But this was
wholly unattainable throughout the day.
Her lunch was sent up to her by the
thoughtful servant, and in due time
Mrs. Barclay had to hear the result of the
visit to the bank. About o'clock in the
afternoon something happened. A gen
tleman sent up his card, with a request
for an interview. The name was not
familiar-William Howe.
Miss Barclay prepared to see him with
a sense of dread that was perfectly visi
BILE i'll her manner and her appearance as
she entered the darlsened drawing room.
MIR. Howe rose with Teassuring ges-
ture and offered his hand,
n am friend Of your brother he
said quietly, land 1 am inclined to
think that l can convey a message to
him should you care to communicate
with him"
ooh, indeed we do long to hear from
him, and Mrs. Barclay would like to
write to him
Miss Barclays agitation was painful.
If you will procure me the letter /
shall try to get it safely to him, Do not
address it and use no names. How is
Mrs Barclay?'
'Oh, wretched!'
MIR. Howe was observing her closely,
and she met his glance timidly. He was
slight, fair haired man Of medium size,