The Newtown bee., 1899-12-01

accountants re&a0n Ene await Mh0 hcaE ~
ly Giisliked him from the frat, he could |
appreciate the tact with which Claire
managed to keep them all in apparent
harmony. tt -.
One August morning the doctor, with
Winter and another OF the Thirteen
whom they called ''the judge y had plan
ned to 90 out together for days fishing
on the lake. But when at the last mo-
ment Winter had been sent for to meet
visiting official, the other two urged
Newberry to take his place. Knowing
too we'll by this time the nature Of their
sgood times'' he declined, though the
usually good-natured doctor seemed
halr-inclined to be provoked at his refus-
al.
After much chatting and unnecessary
delay, the doctor and his companion
finally started, the boatman followed
with their lunch basket, heavy with bot.
ties, the necks Of which protruded in
open defiance of the Law.
Claire's aunE laughed gaily at their
parting salIies, but Claire stood looking
after them In silence, and Newberry saw
the look of trouble in her violet eyes.
81 wish they were not going out with
Nel,' was all she said.
"Nelson Ball, every one calls him Nell"
explained the aunt. "He's one Of the
best boatmen on the lake-when he's all
right" she added significantly. "But
don't you worry. Claire, your father and
the Judge won't let him take too much"
Towards afternoon, when sudden
gale came sweeping down til 8 lake, and
the waves rose rough and angry like the
sea, these words came back to Newberry
and his vague uneasiAess for the fisher
mems safety increased as he saw Claire
watching for them, glass in hand, from
her little tower room.
The sun went down and the lighthouse
on the point sent it's cleaning rays far
into the night, yet their boat did not re-
turn. Nearly all the men Of the town.
patroled the beach that night, and when
Newberry went back to his room long
after midnight, ne saw CIaire's light still
burning, and he watched her shadow
fall against the curtain as she walked to
and fro until the day was breaking. Then
when her shadow could no longer be
seen another watcher -DemGulinville-
crept out from among the trees which
before had hidden him and forlornly and
steslthily went his way.
The gale went down at dawn, bat still
there came no tidinRs of the missing
boat.
Night after night in secret Newberry
and Demoulinville shared Claire's vigil,
and day by day they saw the seal of sor-
row set more deeply on her fair young
face.
On the 14th day the terrible dread be-
came a certainty, for q steamer touching
at the point brought in Nel's boat, which
had been found-f1oating bottom upward
40 miles away.
The weeks passed on and Newberry
still fingered in the quiet town. His In
terest in Claire had deepened into love
during those days of anxiety and sorrow,
and although he was eager to take her
from the surroundings which seemed so
unworthy of her, yet he had been 10th
to lose his chance of happiness by reveal
ing his love for her too soon.
She had gone one afternoon to carry
delicacies to sick woman who had been
one of her fathers patients, and New
berry took the road by which she would
probably return, and walked on in the
chance Of meeting her. He had not gone
far when he saw the familiar vehicle
emerge from cloud OF dust, but the
horse was coming at furious speed-he
was running away-and broken rein
hung dangling from his head.
| With cry of horror Newberry sprang
forward, but at that instant Demoulin-
Vile came running out of his house
farther up the road. He caught the bri-
die In his long thin hands and chung
to it bravely for moment, then, as the
horse reared and suddenly plunged on
ward the dwarf lost his hold and fell
trampled and crushed beneath the cruel
iron hoofs.
During that brief instant, while he had
held the horse In check, Claire had Jump
ed from the wagon and now, trembling
but unframed, she bent above the lifeless
figure.
Newberry hastened to place her in the
hands OF friends, who quickly gathered
around, then he carried Demoulinville
back to his home, to give him what help
he could.
With his returning consciousness the
dwarf looked sharply into the face that
bent above him. "You |" he murmured
bitterly. $50 Fate has given me into
your hands at last! Oh do not pretend
that you are not glad to see ~me-thus l''
1.-THE unfriendliness has all been upon
one side. would give much rather than
see you lying here" said Newberry with
grave kindness. ?
"You do not look down-with con-
tempt-on the miserable cripple with his
wasted LIEF"
"Demoulinville, not And I am quick
to acknowledge the nobility of the ma
ture which will give it's life for another"
The drawn brow cleared little, 'sYou
can be generous! give 1t willingly
for her. II / ann dying send old Mary for
Father Malines!"
There was no time to spare, and New
berry hastily dispatched the woman
whom he found weeping outside of her
masters door, though almost with the
certainty that the priest would come too
late.
When he returned Demoulinville said
bitterly 81 hated You-fron that