Waterbury evening Democrat., 1894-03-15


 stealing into his cottage at night worn out and hagSard. He was returning late one afternoon from one of these expeditions. weary, dusty and dispirit- ed when he met lmogene Duke coming from the town on foot. carrying q small basket in her hand. He would have avoided her. but she caught sight of him and heckoned to him.
 | have been to see your mother, Matthew. she said as he slowly and reluctantly drew near. 'l have taken her some jelly and preserved fruit. y
 North drew himself up, with frown. Il thank you. he replied coldly, but my mother is not a subject for charity, Miss Duke. am able to support her without assistance. however benevolent ly intended.
 Matthew.'
 Though his hand trembled and his chest heaved with suppressed emotion, he turned his face resolutely from her and would not see the pained look in her eyes.
 No he continued, with his face still averted, II have fooled myself long enough. It is over now. Take your r.ay and leave me to take mine.
 What do you mean, Matthew:" asked the glrl gently. Have you ceased to regard me as a friend:'
 t'riend!" he echoed bitterly. Full we'll you know that between us two there can be no true friendship, for only those who are equals can be friends. Oh. it was a sweet thought, lot if Io11 saw you with Ralph Monckton; then the scales fell from my eyes. and for the first time I understood it all. He is your equal, one of your own kind; l am not.
 You are unjust to me, Matthew, " she answered reproachfully. and you are unjust to yourself -
 See. he interrupted vehemently, facing her as he spoke, so that she saw how worn and pale he had become, "would you admit me into your fla ther's house. take me by the hand and present me to your guests and say, This man, this laborer who works for his daily bread. is my friend:' Would you do that:'
 Though his tone was rough, and he
 
 irony, there was an intense, eager light in his eyes, and he held his breath as he leaned forward awaiting her answer. The girl did not finch or hesitate. She returned his gaze mildly, almost pity ingly. as she rcplied:
 "Yes, Matthew. I would do and say that.
 His broad chest rose and fell heavily. The blood surgtl to his forehead. and on his dark fr;,t2r':.
 And il l V. ia tell you, he said passionately, :, | carried beyond his i self control. lint l love you-that l i have worship.d you from the first hour l saw you, that blessed hour when you l came to visit my sick mother, lighting up my poor home like ray of sun 1 shine; if l were to tell you that since then have lived only for you, without hope, without presumption, humbly, faithfully-oh, do not turn away in an- ger, dear heart! I had meant never to let my secret escape my lips. I meant | to die with it and bear it away with me to that other world where they tell us there are neither poor nor rich, high nor low. But my breast was too full, and it seemed 1 must either speak or 1 die. And now-and now He choked and became silent, his vast frame quivering and the breath coming between his white lips in gasps.
 The girl had tried to check his tenn pestuous words in vain. She was very | pale and stood with bent head and ] dropping figure, as if smitten with 8 sudden grief. With a deep sigh she raised her swimming eyes to his at length and gazed at him sorrowfully..
 Why have you told me this?" she asked in so faint voice that he could I hardly catch the words. She would have said more, but her emotion over- came her, and putting her hand to her eyes she wept silently. The man stood ] watching her with an expression of helpless misery and self reproach. Don't cry," he said hoarsely. II can't bear it"
 | Gradually she recovered her calm ness, and drying her eyes with her handkerchief she said to him: ] You have made me very unhappy, | Matthew, for no woman can listen tC such words as you have just spoken without sorrow, if-if she finds no an swer to them in her own heart. You must give me your promise never to re- turn to this subject, or we must not see each other again.
 You have my promise," he an swered gloomily. II was mad for a moment. Do you think, in my senses, I could dream that such hand as this'' he held up his large, toll hardened might mate with yours?" l Ut is not that-it is not that" she exclaimed in distress. Will you not believe me when say 1t is not because of any false pride on my part, but be- cause, while 1 respect you, have nc | warmer feeling for you?"