Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1894-05-08
By MARGARET LEE.
[Copyrzht, 1884. by American Press Associa-

| You see, am so weak. L suppose he die
not want to raise my hopes too high.
could not bear disappointment. -
He was right, Mollie. I am so glad
to see you looking so much brighter.
suppose if Jasper were saved from this
terrible punishment you would recover
your health. 1t is not too late. "
| Il really believe that 1 could, Belle.
l feel so much stronger already, as if a
great weight were taken off my heart. -
Poor Mollier'
Mrs. Barclay put her hand ON Miss
Barclays arm.
Belle, how good you are! Jasper
says that if he is saved it will be all
due to your energy and devotion. 1t is
wonderful what courage you have had,
and strength. While l, his wife, sank
under this blow, you rose to the emer-
gency. Jasper has always said that you
were different from ordinary women"
Miss Barclay was silent. Her extraor-
binary gifts were leading her in a
strange path. She was to become a VIC
tim to her sisterly affection. She spoke
decidedly.
''Mollie, if you will take heart and
try to be courageous, you will help me-
1 want you to think of cheerful matters
until, as Jasper says, something definite
is decided upon"
II only wish to please you, Belle.
! 81 see the children coming. We must
control ourselves.
To her great surprise, Miss Barclay
slept that night dreamlessly and refresh
ingly. Exhausted nature asserted its
rights. Monday found her strong and
equal to the consideration of everybody S
side. In the afternoon a neighbor
brought her a letter, with the remark:
L thought 1 could save you a walk
to the postoffice, and that was the only
thing in your box. p"
Miss Barclay glanced at the strange
address and quickly opened the envelope.
The paper vas fine and the handwriting
very legible.
To Miss Barclay:
Your abrupt departure on Saturday after
noon has induced me to write to you in regard
to the subject we were discussing. 1t will be
necessary for me to know your decision by
Thursday at noon. 1 cannot make excuses to
the police authorities, although 1 can put an
end to all action on their part.
l hope you have given this matter sensible
consideration. Believe me, you take old fash
toned views of life-yiews which am happy
to say are fast becoming legendary. This is
a material age. Existence is short; we know
nothing of the future. To enjoy is the object
of our best thoughts. Pleasure is the watch
word of the period. Let us grasp all that we
can crowd into our narrow limits.
1 offer you all that money supplies-luxu-
res, amuse ments freedom from anxiety, your
brothers present safety and future prosperity.
Why hesitate? Why judge the present by a
dead past? To whom are you responsiblei
Who has the right Judge yOuI Clrcum-
stances bend and shape our little careers.
We should at least have the privilege of choos
ing ease and enjoyment while suffering from
the evil effects of wrongs committed by others.
Consider the advantages of your present posi-
ton young, beautiful and beloved, you are
offered the opportunity to do noble action
without entailing suffering upon yourself or
others 1t Is impossible at this era to regard
yourself as a victim a sacrifice. History re-
cords women capable of doing all that ask of
you for much less worthy motives.
Place your brother in safety; give him occu-
patton; let his family join him, and then be
free to enter upon the enjoyment Of all that the
world can offer and my devotion can secure to
you. l shall expect to see you on Thursday,
say. at . O'Clock in the afternoon. Until then
matters will remain as they are, but you must
come with your decision. P. NJ.
During the remainder of Monday, all
Tuesday and Wednesday morning Miss
Barclay carried this letter in her pocket
and read it at short intervals Meantime
no message came from Jasper, but Mrs.
Barclay gained strength hourly. The
straw was becoming a rope. Late on
Wednesday afternoon Miss Barclay took
refuge in the library, locked the door
and sat down TO wrestle with herself for
the last time. A knock interrupted the
mental argument, and she opened the
door to perceive Mr.. Howe standing be-
hind the servant. Surprise kept her silent
until they were alone, and glancing at
him she saw that he looked more ami
mated and had touch Of color in his
cheeks.
You seem astonished," he said
abruptly. Your brother has been here. :"
You knew he was coming.
"Oh, yes Have you kept a good
hearth
II am afraid not. l did not suppose
that you were acting for Mr.. Messenger.
Jasper knows that Mr.. Messenger as
sisted him to visit US. -
And was he not kind in so doing?
thought Mrs. Barclays recovery might
result from seeing her husband am
mystified. What was the outcome of
last Saturdays interview between you
and the president? You hoped so much
from it. -
Miss Barclay flushed painfully. Mr..
Howe regarded her intently.
Nothing definite was decided upon. I"
She spoke with an effort, and her eyes
dropped under his steady gaze.
But he had some message from the
directors.
Nothing pleasant. "
Miss Barclay, you are suffering in
tensely Forgive me for what may seem
unwarrantable curiosity. The truth is
that, even if acting for Mr.. Messenger,
am anxious to be Of service to your
brother Unless you are perfectly candid
with me l cannot act to the full extent
of my powers. This matter certainly
came up for discussion before the bank
officers since l saw you, and the presi-
dent had certain propositions to lay be-
fore you as your brothers representa-
tive.
Yes, but they were not favorable. "
$50? Was the interview final?'
mo. 1 am to see him again tomor-
row.
''What are you to decide?''
Don't ask me. cannot comply with
his demands. -
Mr.. Howe rose and paced back and
forth in the pretty room Miss Barclay
sat as if motion were impossible to her
She became aware that Mr.. Howe had
stopped beside her and was resting his
slender hand on the table near which
she sat. The hand was white and deli
cate, and something made her look up
and catch his glance. His fairness made
his face almost boyish, and his eyes had
in them the frank expression and the
blue of childhood He spoke calmly.
GETNbx- not acIa,J