Waterbury Democrat., 1901-08-22

me right to the top. NOW, I've got as pretty ranch as there is west of the Missouri.
 "Why, that's splendid!" she cried, her face glowing with pleasure. "I'm awful glad you're doin' so well. Folks around here have an idea that you've been sort of runnin' out"
 "How came they to get such a no- tion?'' cautiously.
 Well, IT believe Ed Purcell spoke of it in the first place."
 "Ed Purcelll" Tom rose to his feet in sudden wrath. Then he sat down, harl He didn't know the first thing of what I've been doing. You didn't believe him, Cordelia?"
 She looked distressed.
 How could I help it, Tom?" she faltered. "Ed said he got letters from you off and on, and didn't suppose he would tell story" Then, with an effort to change the sub> ject: "Did you bring your family along?"~
 ''Family?'
 s'Yes, your wife and children?"
 He gazed sharply at her for 8 mo- ment to see if she was in earnest; then he threw himself back in his chair with sudden burst of laugh ter.
 Did Ed tell you that?" he asked, as soon as he could get his breath ''Well, he's a dandy, he is. And did you believe it?"
 She did not answer, but he could see from her changing countenance and averted eyes that she had be- lieved it.
 Look here, Cordelia." he said. abruptly, ''what do you suppose l came back for?"
 'sTo look around-to see your rela- tions, perhaps" she answered, hesi- tatingly.
 My relations are all out west. Fa- soon after I did. No, it was on ac- count of this" taking a small slip of paper from his pocket and handing it to her. "Jake takes the home pa- per, and sometimes I look it over. Last week happened to see this item. Read it."
 She did so, mechanically.
 "We understand that our esteemed fellow-townsman, Paul Hackett, has obtained a lucrative position in the city, and that he will soon depart for the scene of his future labors. This will leave his sister, Miss Cor della, to keep house alone"
 .'I don't see much in that" she said, SIa hanIod Ianlr fha ranar-
 ''Well, I do. Anyhow, it brought me here" His voice had suddenly grown eager, and her gaze fell be- meath his, while her face began to flush. Listen, Cordelia. When was returning that night, after I had gone home with Sadie Adams, met Ed Purcell. I felt more like pitching him into the bushes than talking, but the fellow was so friendly and soft spoken that I was obliged to stop through mere civility. He spoke about the weather and the party, and then told me that you and he were engaged. I never liked the scamp, but didn't suppose he would tell lie. The next day I started west"
 Cordelia was standing now, her face flushed and her eyes blazing.
 '-ngaged to Ed Purcell!" she gasped. "Oh, Tom! you didn't be- ieve that?"
 ''HCw could help it," he an swered, grimly, repeating her words of few minutes before. 1T didn't suppose he would tell a story" Then all the anger and grimness left his face, and as he held out his arms the tenderness of 12 years repression came tremulously into his voice. "Cor- della, darling, will you go back with me?"
 She made shy step forward, then hesitated.
 ..There's John and the children" she said.
 Bother John and the children! He's well to do and can find some body else to look after them. Will you come?"
 The flush grew deeper on her face, but her voice was clear and firm as she answered.:
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