Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1894-05-02
e Royal Cleve carefully barring il


in place.
Its coming on to rain and blow, :"
he said. "This old barrack will be damp
enough at best L must see to it that it
! gives you all the shelter possible. "
Without speaking, Dare unfastened
the belt of her heavy riding skirt, drop
ped it upon the floor and stood revealed in
close frock of dark wool that came just
b. the instep. Still in silence she went
up to thorough table, where some food
had been spread, and though all uncon-
scious of hunger forced herself to eat.
Cleve looked at her, half in compass
nearer than the door, against which he
still leaned. After little he said:
Dare, if you do not, cannot love me,
wish had never seen you. know
what 1 am doing-how intolerably vile
it all is. With yCu i'll the balance, the
shame, the vileness has not feather
| weight. Tell me now truly, do you love
any other MANI
Dare's only answer was quick,
scornful look. Shewen ON eating, swal-
lowing slowly ard with such evident
difficulty that Cleve came forward, say
ing:
will you drink little wine?"
Dare shook hef head.
No." she said. ''Conspirators stop
at few things. know you do not mean
to harm me bodily, but drugs are potent,
and / have no doubt you would like to
keep me quiet until tomorrow.
In spite of himself Cleve's eyes fell.
IL. -
protested. Il will drink with you if you
doubt it. -
Il will take your word for it, - Dare
said. In return. as l really am very
thirsty, will you not let me go outside
for water? There must be spring close
at hand
Il will show it TO you if you will take
my ARM Cleve said, christening the
door and waiting for her beside it. I'VE
must hurry" he went on. THE storm
is almost upon US. We shall barely have
time to 60 and come before it breaks"
Holding Dare's hand close to his side,
he led the way to where a cold stream
gushed from under messy rocks at foot
of huge hill. The house they had just
quilted stood at the head of long val
with the stream that here bad head
This had been the storehouse and Sd.
perintendent' quarters. Lower down
came the furnace itself, the stack of it
fallen half way, the sheds and outbuild-
ings utterly ruined.
Dare glimpsed it all family through
gaps in the thick growth about her.
Cleve took silver drinking cup from
his pocket, filled it from the springs
head and placed it in her hand, saying:
Pardon me that did not think OF
this sooner. 1 shall not soon forgive my,
self, though, for letting you go thirsty
with water SO close at hand. -
Dare dropped on her knees beside the
we'll head, flung off her hat and said
coldly:
STAND back little, please. 1 want
to battle my face. -
Cleve drew little away, but kept his
impatient motions she dashed the water
hither and yon. At last he said courte.
ously:
Pardon me, but really we must get
to shelter. 1t has begun to rain.
Dare got slowly to her feet, took w
her hat in one hand and walked toward
him. Just at his side she dropped it,
apparently by accident A gusty wind
caught it and sent it whirling along the
path. Instinetively Cleve darted after it,
caught it 20 yards away and turned tc
find himself alone. Dare had vanished
as if by magic.