Waterbury evening Democrat., 1894-05-23
II; . he Thought.


means a synonym for integrity and up
rightness, do not hesitate to say that
am exceedingly well rejoiced at seeing
her in such apparently excellent health
She is good girl, sir; she is everything
the term implies and yet, sir, you mus
be aware of the almost painful relations
that exist between us, and being aware
of them and of the fact that they are sc
strong that she left my house volunta
rily, for the avowed reason that a Longer
life with so uncongenial a person as my.
self was unbearable, you can scarcely be
surprised that our meeting is not more
mutually pleasurable and cordial.
Mr.. Dye occasionally hesitated an in
slant for word, but generally his dull,
somber voice flowed on, measurably
and uninterruptedly, as if he were de-
livering himself of a speech that was
quite familiar to him. His dignified
bearing was in such marked contrast to
the dominant air of faded gentility that
pervaded him as to be almost painfully
ludicrous Maxey gazed at him steadily
and said:
You don't know where she went
when she left your house?"
'Sir, she never made a confidant OF
me- Do not misunderstood me. 1 am
not reproducing her. was utterly unfit
for and unworthy of her confidence.
always avoided her, as the bad instinc-
lively avoid the good. She was right
go. l entered only afeeble protest. !
am aware, sir, that it may seem incon-
gruous and artificial coming from me,
1,r,f oh 10 rig lr of
gruous and artificial desire to say in
taking my farewell of the young lady
under your charge-for you can scarcely
wish to prolong an interview that is
manifestly so painful to her-that am
heartily, devoutly, sincerely sorry that
fate ever threw her into the way of such
a worthless mortal as myself, and that
l earnestly hope that her future may be
as bright and unclouded as her past was
dark and unfortunate. -
Despite the theatrical ring of the Sc
pulchral voice there was a tone of sim
cerity and candor about the last few
words that made an impression, even
against his will, upon the artist. The
tears came into Annette's eyes. Timidly
and tremblingly she approached Mr..
Dye and held out her small white hand.
"Mr. no, father" she faltered,
please do not think l was ungrateful.
You will forgive me for what I said
about my parentage when Was angry.
If you have done right, it was cruel. If
you have not, it is a matter for your
own soul. 1 shall never forget that it
was your roof that sheltered me when
had no other. Believe me, did not run
sway from you. I met with-a terrible
accident -
Mr.. Dye did not look at her, but he
unfolded his arms to take her hand,
which he held as lightly as possible and
dropped at the first opportunity. Max
ey, who was watching him closely, was
startled to see in his face momentary
betrayal of sentiment. There was no
doubt about it. Mr.. Dyes dim eyes wa
tered, and the corners of his gloomy
mouth twitched. The tone in which he
at last replied was very different from
the one i'll which he had previously
spoken.
eff 1 said God bless you, it would be
mummery. The blessing of a man like
me is a poor legacy. but should like to
say something to snow you that am
really sorry for the part l have played i'll
your life. You always We're a good girl
and did your best to please me. am
not your father | could not feel toward
you as Il father ought PERHAPS, but was
not insensible of your virtues. l never
was more pleased i'll my life than when
l heard''- He seemed to think himself
in danger of committing himself here,
for he hesitated and finally substituted
-"when you just now told me that you
had escaped a terrible accident. Goodby,
Annette. "
Annette went out, sobbing When the
door had closed behind her, Maxey men
tally braced himself for a desperate con-
test. Unfortunately for him, at the very
outset of the battle he felt distrust of
himself and a dread of the superior
strength Of his adversary.
Acting upon the theory that Mr.. Dye
had some knowledge of the crime OH the
sea road, he had prepared terrible sur
prise for him. He had caused it to be
understood that the victim of that crime
had died i'll consequence and then sud
denly confronted him with her. He had
congratulated himself beforehand ON the
effect of this trying situation, but Mr..
Dye had scarcely expressed more surprise
than if it had been the most ordinary oc
currence of daily life.
Maxey spoke up sharply:
Now to the business which have to
transact with you. There is no need of
your standing, sir. Sit down"
7 u
Dye, thoroughly recovered from his re-
cent momcntary weakness, utterly at a
loss to determine what could be the mar
velous nature of the circumstances that
could influence such a gentleman as
yourself to take the pains to enter into
a not very reputable subterfuge to in
duce so humble an individual as myself
to come to your house, when a simple
written request left at my lodgings
would have been sufficient. Men do not
take such pains-my long experience
with human nature leads me to say it
men do not take such pains without an
adequate motive"
Mr.. Dye said all this not as though
he had any real curiosity. In fact, there
was such a somber, graveyard atmos-
phere about his voice and manner that
the nearer was involuntarily impressed
with the belief that he had reached a
stage of mental depression where it was
no longer possible to harbor lively in
terest in any affair of life.
1--WE will not discuss that now," said
Maxey. There are some matters which
you must explain to my satisfaction be-
fore 1 shall feel overwhelmed with a
sense of my own meanness. If you will
sit down, it will be more comfortable
for you, as it may prove to be q some
what lengthy session. "
'Sir, it is immaterial to me-"
Having said this with sign that
seemed to leave no matter of doubt that
he spoke the truth, Mr.. Dye accepted
the proffered chair. He deposited his
woebegone hat upon the center table