Waterbury evening Democrat., 1894-05-23


conceived an affection for her at once.
We never had any children. She desired
to keep her. 1 permitted her to do SO.
That is the whole story. Do not think I
wish to be short with you. I will an
swer any question you think it worth
your while to address to me. "
''Did you leave the city Immediately
after you found the child?'
ST did"
"Why?"
"My business, perhaps it would be
franker to say my means of livelihood,
necessitated it. -
"What has been your means Of live
lihood?''
"Swindlirg in all its various forms -
Maxey sat staring i'll bewilderment for
some minutes
"By what methodist
| "By the meanest methods. Do you
wish me to give catalogue Of my
crooked ways? It would no doubt be in
Btructive to you.
"Never mind that, - cried Maxey, with
sudden energy. "Answer me this: Were
you concerned i'll the attempt to murder
this child Annette?''
Mr.. Dye sprang to his feet with a force
that overturned his chair and stood with
Mortified look fixed full on the artists
face His lip trembled and his voice fall
tered when he asked:
| els that's that your suspicion?'
81 am not here to talk of suspicious
I am asking you plain question, sus-
ceptible of plain answer
G,.ol,7o11x, no hc,, ol lob faIoI ont
of his face The lack luster eyes sought
the surface of the hat again. He turned
and carefully restored the chair to an up
right position before he replied:
81 would rather, I would much rath
| er, sir, the accusation should come in
any other form, but go on, sir, go on
even in this. If there has been such an
| attempt arrest me, try me, convict me,
| hang me. I am utterly unworthy of the
| least respect, as you realize A man who
would steal would kill. He would shoot
down even the young and innocent girl
| who trusted him. Go on sir. shall not
| oppose you. y
81 am half a mind to take you at your
wordr' cried Maxey, rising and impa-
tiently pacing the floor.
81 shall not resist you, sir. "
"Do you mean to tell me that you do
not know of the foul attempt on this
poor girls life on the sea road the very
day you disappeared from town."
Mr.. Dye made no reply at once, but a
! harsh, grating sound issued from be-
! tween his lips Maxey even thought he
| heard him murmur through his clinched
| teeth:
''The black heart! The black HEARTH
But his faded glance was scarcely lift
ed from the forlorn hat ere he became
passive again.
81 can only say to you, sir, that I
never heard Of this thing BEFORE
"Don't you read the newspapers"
''Not except by accident. I have no
interest in the world whatever.
'Do you never hear people talk?'
II have heard nobody talk about this,
but have been away where would be
little likely to-"
"Why did you go away?"
because it was necessary for me to
have money. [ have been engaged in all
attempt to raise money by dishonest
means-an attempt which failed as dis
| astrously as it deserved. 1t was my be-
indeed voluntarily absented herself from
my abode, as she had threatened to do.
If you will ask the landlord at 40 Flood
street, he will tell you that I left money
i'll his charge to be given to her if she
returned during my absence. l had,
could have, 10 possible i'll will for that
unfortunate girl. Neither was her life
such that she could have acquired enc
mics You speak i'll riddles, sir. Would
it be asking too much that you should
tell me the circumstances? But, no; you
will not do that, for I am the man sus-
pected. -
81 think circumstances warrant a sus
picion that you know more than you
will admit. Nevertheless, lest l do an
injustice, Twill tell you what you ask.
He told it. Mr.. Dye listened motion
less till the end When it was over, no
remained silent.
''Have you nothing to say to this?'
asked Maxey. 'Doy suspect nobody?'
II have nothing to say, sir, w."
''Nothing?"
''Not word. -
"Well, then" cried Maxey excitedly,
"there is only one course open to me. -
liz w do uptSi ny q MUM hu tilO
door. Annette, whose eyes were not yet
free from tears, implored his attention
for moment He went into the parlor
with her.
Miss Maxey, dressed for the street,
sat in one corner of the room, apparent
ly prcoccupied, though the unusual color
in her cheeks was evidence enough that
she was disturbed by more than ordinary
emotions. The artist barely noticed her.
He was too much under the power of the
new and contending feelings that filled
his soul when Annette spoke to him to
heed anything else, for Annette opened
her heart to him and laid bare her sweet
and forgiving nature as she never had
done before. And she pleaded for the
token of his regard for her which he was
the least in the world desirous of grant
ing But what could he do under the spell
Of her presence? How could he say No
even when the granting of her prayer
would allow to slip through his fingers
the first real key to the mystery of the
sea road which he felt he had ever held?
The beautiful face turned toward him so
beseechingly, the dark eyes emphasized
her words so eloquently mat he had no
power to resist.
She could not forget that Mr.. Dye had
brought her up, had given her home;
that he stood to her in place Of father.
She could not bear to think Of his being
prosecuted Or molested on her account.
If he would not speak, let him remain
silent. The past was passed. Would not
Mr.. Maxey give her his promise not to
follow up that dark matter furtherp Mr..
Maxey did not want to, but for her sake
Mr.. MaXey would, and he did
II promise you," he said at length
81 will detain him no longer. I will
tell him that he is at liberty to go where
he pleases, and that I do it for his