Waterbury Democrat., 1900-12-04
tEe banner of the worthy. If it did, the human race would soon become ex-

tEe banner of the worthy. If 1t did, the human race would soon become ex- tinct.
 So the young mans thoughts ran op, while hope once more found resting place in his heart.
 Miss Murdocll was not to pose again, but Sprague was eager to work on the portrait. He was about to step into the studio after breakfast, when the housekeeper announced call from h1s lawyer, who wished to consult him about some important matters. The entire morning was thus consumed in necessary but tedious business, and it was not until after luncheon that the artist was at last free to set to work.
 Uncovering the portrait, he stood off to examine it. As he did so, something white upon the floor caught his eye. He stopped to pick it up. 1t was a let ter in a beautifully regular masculine hand. Mechanically he turned it over and unfolded it. His eyes carelessly swept the written page; then in flash he realized what it was, and he flung it violently from him.
 Only a few words had left their i'm press upon his retina-a few scattered words and signature. But these were branded deep upon his brain for all time, in letters of fire which burned their way to his very soul. For he had recognized the letter which had been delivered by the messenger to Miss Murdock the day before, and he had seen enough to know that it was couched in words of passionate love. In that instant was quenchcd the last ray of hope which had lurked within his heart. Overwhelmed with sense of utter desolaticn, he sank back upon a tlivan, and for a long time remaiped lost in bitter reflections.
 k But Sprague, in spite of his dilet tanteism, was man of grit when oc- casion called for it. Summoning at length his fortitude and his pride, he proceeded to carry out what he con- ceived to be the duty of gentleman un der the circumstances.
 Picking up the letter again, he placed it unread in .an envelope, into which he slipped his card, with a brief e51 planation of the finding of the paper. Then, after addressing the envelope, he started out to mail it himself.
 Thomas Chatham!" he unused, as he went down the stairs; Thomas Chat ham! Why, Ee is the man who took such pains to inform me that Miss Mur- dock was betrothed, or on the point of being betrothed--the fashily dressed young man with red hair who is so regular an attendant at the Murdocks informal receptions, and who never seems to be invited on state occasions; an insignificant and conceited puppy. Poor girl, what a pity that she should throw herself away upon such a man. But, if he marries her, he shall make her happy, or else"
 The balance of his thought was not put into words; but his face became set ia stern lines and his hands clenched in grim determination.
 Sprague, with the letter for Miss Murdock in his hand, hurried to the nearest letter box, raised the lid of the drop, inserted the letter in the slot and then frightened his grasp of it and be- gan to think.
 The letter, if mailed, might perhaps not reach it's destination until the fol- lowing morning. It might be of impor- tance, since it had been sent by mes senger and to the studio instead of to Miss Murdock's house. Besides, Miss Murdock would probably be worried when she discovered that she had lost it. It ought therefore to be returned | to her at once.
 The letter, by this time, had been withdrawn from the slot of the letter | box.
 Yes, it ought to be returned by mes senger instead of by mail. By messen- 1 ger? It was about half mile to the nearest district messenger office. The Murdocks' house was not much further. Why not deliver the letter himself?
 Why not, indeed? The human heart has unfathomable depths. Why should hopeless lover pine for a mere sigh | of the woman whose presence only adds to his misery? Explain that who can.
 Sprague carefully placed the letter in his breast pocket and started off again, this time directing his steps toward the Murdocks' home.