Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1894-12-19
CHAPTER II.

Arthur Beach, James brother. was stand.
ing in tho hall, waiting to speak to him,
but Leonard pushed past him without a
word, closing the hall door behind him.
Outside the snow was falling, but not fast
enough to- obscure the light Of the moon,
which shope through the belt of frs.
Leonard walked on down the drive till
he neared the eate, when suddenly he
heard the muffled sound of feet pursuing
him through the snow. He turned, with
an angry exclamation, believing that the
footsteps were those of Arthur Beach, and
he was in no mood for further converse
ton with any male member of that fami-
ly. But, rs it CHANGED, he found himself
face to face not with Arthur, but with
Jane herself, who perhaps had never look.
ed more beautiful than she did at this mo-
ment in the snow and the moonlight. In.
deed whenever Leonard thought of her In
after years, and that was often, there
arose in his mind n vision of n tall and
lovely girl, her auburn hair slightly pow.
dcTed over with the falling snowhakes,
her breast heaving with emotion and her
wide gray eyes gazing piteously toward
him.
"Oh, Leonard" she said nervously,
why do you go without saying goodby
to me?''
He looked at her for n moment before
he answered, for something in his heart
told him that this was the last sight which
he should win of her for many a year, and
therefore his eyes dwelt upon her as we
gaze upon those whom the grave is about
to hide from us forever.
At last he spoke, and his words were
practical enough:
You should not have come out in those
thin shoes through the snow, Jane. You
will catch cold"
Il wish l could" she answered defiant
ly. Il wish that could catch such n cold
as would kill me. Then should be out
of my troubles. Let us go to the summer
house. They will never think of looking
for Inc there
How will you get therof~ asked Leon
ard. 1t is 100 yards sway, and the
snow always drifts in that path
"Oh. never mind the snow" she said.
But Leonard did mind il, and presently
he hit upon n solution of the difficulty.
Having first glanced up the drive to sec
that nobody was coming, he bent for
ward and without explanation or excuse
put his arms around Jane, and lifting her
rs though she were n child bore her down
the path which led tn the summer house.
She was heavy; but, sOoth to say, he could
! have wished the journey longer. Present
~ they were there, and very gently he set
her on her feet again, kissing her upon the
| lips rs he did so, then took off his over
coat and wrapped it around her shoulders
All this while Jane had not spoken. In
deed the poor girl felt so happy and SO
| safe in her lovers arms that Mt this mo.
| ment it seemed to her rs though she never
wished to speak or do anything for herself
| again. 1t was Leonard who broke the ST.
lencc.
You ask me why left without saying
| goodby to you. 1t was because your IA
| Their has dismissed me from the house and
forbidden me to have any more TO do with
| you"
"Oh, why?" said the girl, lifting her
| hands despairingly.
Cant you guest he answered, with
n bitter laugh
Yes, Leonard, she whispered, taking
| his hand in sympathy.
Perhaps had better put IS plainly, ="
said Leonard again. 1t may prevent
misunderstanding. Your father has dis
missed me because my father embezzled
all my money. The sins of the father are
visited upon the children, you see; also
| he has done this with more than usual
distinctness and alacrity because he wishes
| you to marry young Mr.. Cohen, the bull
lion broker and the future owner of Ou-
| tram "
Jane shivcred.
Il know, know" she said, and, oh,
Leonard, / hate him.
Then perhaps it will be rs well not to
marry him." he answered.
Il would rather die first she said,
with conviction.
unfortunately one can't always die
when it happens to be convenient, Jane.
| oh, Leonard, don't be horrid,' she
said, beginning to cry. Where are you
going. and what shall doi''
To the bad, probably" he answered.
AT least it all depends upon you Look
here, Jane, If you stick to me, will stick
to you. The luck is against me now, but
have it in me to see that through.
love you, and 1 would work myself &c
death for you, but Mt the best it must be q
question of time, probably of years"
'Oh, Leonard, indeed 1 will II can.
am sure that you cannot love me NOR
than l love you, but can never make you
understand how odious they all arc to mt
about you, especially papa
"Confound him." said Leonard be
meath his breath, and IL Jane heard hel
fllial affections at that moment were moi
sufficiently strong to induce her to re
monstrate.
We'll, Jane, the matter lies thus: FL
Their you must put up with their treatment
or you must give me the go by. Loci
here: In six months you will be 81. II
this country all her relations put together
can't force q woman to marry a man i
she does not wish to or prevent her from
marrying one whom she does wish Il
marry. Now, you know my address a
my club in town. Letters sent there will
always reach me, and it is scarcely posi-
BILE fog your father or anybody else to pre-
vent you from writing and posting a let
ter to me. II you want my help or Il
communicate with me in any way, / shall
expect to hear from you, and IL need be
will take you away and marry you tn
; moment you come of age II, on the othe
hand, 1 do not hea< from you, I shall
know it is because you do not choose Il
write or because that which you have t
write would be too painful for me to read
Do you understand"
"oh, yes, Leonard, but you put thing
: | so hardly"
Things have been put hardly enough I
me, love, and must be plain. This is m
d last chance of speaking to you"
At this moment an ominous SCUM
o echoed through the night 1t was non
other than the distant voice Of Mr.. Beac
o calling "Janel Are you out there, Jane''
from his front doorstep.
a "Oh, heavens" she said. There is m
father calling me. came out by tho bac
y door, but mother must have been up {
ls my room and found me gone. She watche
d me all day now. What shall do'''
IL Go back. Tell them that you hav
!, been saying goodby to me. 1t Is not
II crime. They cannot kill you for 1t. "
Indeed they can, or just as bad, N
piled Jane. Then suddenly she threw he
II arms about her lovers neck, and buryin
"a her beautiful face upon his breast she b.
'r gan to sob bitterly, murmuring. "Oh, m
darling, my darling. what shall 1 do with
J. out you:''
70 which followed it may be well to drop
ypfl Ieonard's bittarness of mind all IN,