Waterbury Democrat., 1901-03-16

s.This bandage,'s said Brodnar, seems to imply doubt sf you. Dick, but believe me it has fts proper us& In the future, if accident should con- front you with the-woman, neither of you will be embarrassed. Sho will, it is true, know your name, but unless she should look you up in days to come she will never see your face. Is that com forta able2-yes? We'll, moment and we are gone. Your hand, my friend, now, and your word of honor. You will not look on this woman s face, nor seek in any way to discover from her, from me, or from anyone aught that T. am seeking to conceal; under all cir; cumstances you will yourself conceal. from everyone the facts of this nights: business; and you accept the woman | to whom we go as your wife with all | the limitations I have outlined. 1know; that in your own heart you are re-, solved, but the honor of a woman is at! stake, and you must promise me as man to man." "As man to man, then, and upon the honor of Richard Somers, I promise. Lead on!" The chance passer-by who saw blindfolded man led from the elegant apartments of Dr. Francis Brodnar was not surprised. The ex- planation was easy. But Somers him. self was distinctly surprised at the length of the ride and the number of corners turned. It seemed to him that; the carriage traversed more than once the same road, for in spite of himself he could not but take notice of such things. Dr. BrodnaH deserted the drift of his thoughts.
 For a man to note tho direction of a journey" he said, "is natural, an almost automatic, action of the brain cells-an inheritance from both animal and human ancestry Therefore. Dick, if l have sought to confuse you by my queer route. it is only through dis trust of the original and savage Somers, and to save all parties embar- rassment. I trust few people. Here we are at last" Dismounting, he led his companion on a pavement, through a narrow gateway, the gate of which he unlocked, along a gravel walk with shrubbery on both sides for about 60 paces, up two stone steps to door tha t had neither bell nor knocker, and into woman's room.
 How weak is human Invention. Richard Somers gathered these facts without mental effort from small signs. The footfall upon the pave ment, the search for the key, the clicking lock, the crowding, the gravel under foot, the touch of shrubbery. two steps at the door, and the inde- fnable air of every lady's room-the faint, blended odor of powders, toilet waters and pressed flowers. That it was the room of refined woman he was sure in advance. Had he not been, there was the deep carpet into which his feet sank noiselessly.
 And it was plain that he had come into a garden from side street, since no residence would have opened from a woman's room into 3 walk that led directly to 8 main street.
 Here, then, was a woman who lived upon a first floor with a private gar den at her disposal. He had heard the gentle plashing of water outside there was a fountain in this garden On the morrow he had but to wall the city until he found the premises if he would. So much for the secrecy of his friend Brodnari
 
 deeply interested man. Despite hi resolution to carry of the affai lightly, he began to feel the presenc of something like a tragedy. Wher was the woman who was to mako us of him blindly and go through tn form of 8 marriage? Dimly at first perhaps as g. matter of logic, he wa conscious that she was in the roou and near him. Then without nor reason he became certain of it. Th room was not dark, for he felt ligh upon his banaaged eyes. Instinctive ly he stretched out his hand.
 Then tkere was laid within it an other as soft as silken velvet and sma] and tr~mulous. The touch thrilled hir from head to foot; it was the hand Q a young woman-the timidity be longed to girlhood-and instantly J deep sympathy moved him. It wa indeed an urgent cause that forced he into this situation-forced.he her, becaus now she was softly crying, and he ee E5$Eh-