Waterbury Democrat., 1901-03-20

~ @> \ FURIOUS HE SNATCHED THE LET
 TER FROM HER.
 to end it has come" She made no re- ply, but waited for him to continue, 1 her clear gray eyes riveted upon his. You have not believed me, but it is true, nevertheless, that 1 am entirely dependent upon my mother. My lit [ tie property has long since disap- peared with yours; she holds the whip hand. Ever since her second mar riage she has intended me for young girl her stepdaughter, in fact" You have known this all along-?"
 "Yes; and while the child was grow ing up she has tolerated this life of mine. Now she proposes to end it. The question is, How may you and settle it?''
 ''I see!"
 "You are practical enough to under stand that l am helpless. If should refuse the old lady, I could not live 24 hours without work; nor could you. If I yield as 1 must, you will be provided for-with little-Nanon." The woman gasped and pressed her hand to her throat, but with des- perate effort she controlled herself. Where is she?' He hesitated while he studied the blue smoke curling up from the ciga- rette. Shaking off the ashes, he said, at length:
 "I have her in good hands" Their eyes met.
 And you mean for me to under stand, l suppose, that you will retain | possession of her until I assent to your plans?" Again he was silent for @ moment.
 "Xes, that is about the way the mat r ter stands" There was a long and painful pause, during which the wom- an seemed to struggle with some pow erful emotion. She arose and ap- preached him, one hand in the bosom of her dress, the other clasped until her nails sank in the flesh. You told me that you-to try and get-your mother interested-in her grandchild.'' Her voice was strained and barely audible.
 you that"
 "Weu?''
 q lied! I took her only to control i you. My mother has never seen her; and," he continued, slowly, never will, if l can prevent it." ! "Inhuman wretch!" The exclama- tion was little more than gasp. ! From your standpoint-yes."
 "Ah," she whispered, "the infamyl | the infamy of it!" She hesitated . moment, turned, and, gliding to the door with a movement of incredible swiftness, locked it and placed the key in her pocket. "Now," she said, returning towards him, her face trans- figured by the intensity of her ex- 1 citement, 'now, Raymond Holbin, what is the settlement you propose?" He retained his position, half smile upon his face.
 You will have no trouble for the future," he said; you belong to the | tragic stage"
 You trife sir. The settlementl i the settlement!''
 II propose to marry my mothers 1 stepdaughter." he said. quietly. Her father is on his last legs, and he will : bequeath to her all of his property | upon the condition that she accepts me as her husband on or before her twenty-first birthday. From this money propose to provide literally | for you and your child, with the un- 1 derstanding that you are to remain abroad. The fact is, 1 may run over l to see you occasionally, Louise-after i all, you are the only woman I ever cared for. This lily bride awaiting me is out of my class entirely-high- flown, romantic and inexperienced. Ima zine me with such woman, ! Louise.'
 ] are in search of revenge for fancied injuries, you will get it when you pie i ture me in my new role"
 And by this marriage" said the woman, standing over him, ''you place it beyond your power to marry me, i as you have promised during all these years-you abandon your child to a life of wretchedness,' Her breath came hard and trembling "She need never know-no one need know. And where ignorance is bliss 1t is folly to be otherwise 'Let me hear it all,'' she said; 'Iet me know the alternative. If I go to this mother or to this lily bride, as you call her, and tell her of my child and my wrongs, what then?"
 My mother would have the serv- ants put you out of the house, and my bride would probably have me put out. But it would not avail you any thing- nor her. Under the will my l mother would atill be the heir. The