Waterbury Democrat., 1901-03-07
nd ought to remain with the son of

play that were terrible to Stuart. She wore first the diamonds and then the pearls around her small white neck and finally put them both on, wearing them together with the bracelet and the rings She cried continually for new dresses, and at last Rhena, at Stuart's suggestion, brought out some of Stuart's mothers silk gowns which had been packed away in a chest in the attic, and with a little changing they were made to fit Louise, who, al- though she was able to sit up only | few hours, took the most pitiably child- l ish delight in putting on all this tinery. with Rhena's help, and then, with | hand mirror constantly within reach, 1 commenting on her appearance with l the greatest eagerness.
 One day Rhena slipped away from her while she was busy in this manner. and as she was going into the library Stuart came in from the rawing room. He had been down experimenting the new building.
 "Oh, Stuart, Stuart" Rhena almost sobbed as she closed the door so that Louise could not hear. ''it is so horrible. It seems so like-so like clothing Death itself in tinsel and glitter. Oh, the mockery of it makes my heart ache! If we only knew more of the real cause of Louise's trouble, we might know how to bring her back to ason. Only''-
 "Only what dear?" Stuart asked, taking her in his arms to comfort her as he remembered how faithful she had been to her great trust in caring for his sister.
 "Only-the end is not far off, I fear. She is wasting away like the snow on the hills in spring."
 l Stuart groaned. q have seen it. dear. The doctor has done all he can. He gives no hope" He was silent. Then he spoke with calm strength. "I am going down to New York, and l I am going to see Aunt Royal and probe the thing to the end. I have written her, but had no reply. And all our efforts to find Nasplaine have fail ed. The family knows nothing of him. I must go down anyway to see after some necessary materials for the build ing. I will be back inside of a week.
 So that was the way Stuart came to be in New York just before Aunt Royal had planned to pack her trunks and go abroad for the summer.
 l. He was ushered into the great draw ing room of the mansion on the avenue and remained standing by one of the windows waiting for Aunt Royal to come down. His heart was heavy as he thought of Louise. He tried to com pose himself for the interview, remem- berng his Christian faith and all that it required of him in all circumstances.
 Her entrance was hardly noticed by him when she finally appeared. Velvet carpets are made to deaden the foot steps of market gardeners daughters who have made their money by invest ing in tenement and saloon property. :
 This is an unexpected pleasure, Stu art, am sure," said Aunt Royal in her usual polite, gentle voice.
 You know what I am here for,
 aunt?' Stuart. asked, coming to the
 point at once"
 ''No; don't tknow that do. I suppose some business in connection With your philanthropic schemes in Champion. hear the strike is all over. l suppose the miners have learned sense by their folly"
 Aunt" said Stuart firmly, ignoring all she said, q have come down here tC learn the truth about Louise. Tell me all you know about it. It may help to restore her reason before she dies. Fol
 Gods sake, aunt, if you know what ought to know, let me have it."
 Aunt Royals face paled just q trifie
 "Restore her reasOn"'
 "Yes,'' replied Stuart, with some sternness of toae, "her reason. She is
 cfI !, ;,-1 of tS
 since her marriage is q blank. She ] must have received some great shock
 Of course we know Vasplaine has de-
 serted her. And she is dying. After all, if''- Stuart paused, and his hear
 almost stood still as he caught the eX pression on Aunt Royals face. He was not looking at her, but at her rc f1ection in the large cheval glass. An( it was the reflection of an absolutely selfish and heartless enjoyment of so cial standing, unruttied by the coarse sins and miseries and aches of dying
 humanity.
 Aunt Royals voice came to his ear: With its usual placid smoothness. Louise left me on her wedding toui immediately after her marriage. The. went south and then took q trip ou
 west. When they returned, they too! rooms in the Avenue hotel. I saw then
 often, but not intimately. Nasplain' had begun to drink. There was trou ble, of course. But when he tinall. left her I was as much surprised a ; any one.' ,.
 She paused suddenly, and Stuart wa silent. The great gilt clock on the mar ble mantel dropped q silver ball into bowl, and Aunt Royal turned her hea' slightly toward it. Stuart still looked at her reflection in the mirror When did Louise leave New Iorl for Chanpion:' he finally asked. II don't know, anything about it, re piled Aunt Royal, with the first mari l of irritation she had shown. l Do you mean to say, aunt, that afte . Vaspiaines desertion of her, Louis 1 never came near youY' asked Stuart : turning full upon her and looking int ! her face almost as resolutely as if h really knew the facts.