Waterbury Democrat., 1902-12-05

he asks me, as fuvor--as a favor, mind you--to give him Q stone out of this artist-buiiding. He ~1sher mo to gn 10 Europe. He wishss rs have th>nn doae--oh, must not out .ny- thing. He is now Gs' of she Athlenean museum. 2nrtmsnt is architecture, and te aplete his collcction-such a fine O.. Il is, too,'' she could not help saying little proudly. T have helped him just a bit now and then. To eompletel bis collection, he wants the feudal castles of Europe. He wants the local color, the right expression and all you know, and must do them for him under his direction. I--his clever little artist, ss he calls me--dear Uncle Natl"
 The tears were in her dark eyes, but her lips tried to smile.
 Could refuse, Ellis, could IF" She asked in distress.
 No, no, my noble little woman! It vas just like you, to be glad to do it!'
 "I was glad, yes-to help Uncle Nat at last. But ROW now, am not riad. am so sorry!"
 He rested his head z, sainst tNs man. tel
 "So sorry Tor your sake. sissf F. al, {" she whispered see.As sSa misery stamped SC 4arlv ~v%Sss AAs AseA lsome face. She T ,ss oJss=Ass*k A gers softly ors tsDs1. ssss7 s=ss e esed wearily. ! fdes.A sss As4i and placed il e. iy as ksa AYs
 Nov mutA 70 ~ tssa ss mur- mured
 He shook his head az though is polling some ugly e- sam. He walked heavily to the LOs~, lszing straight ahead. Then, Aadsssty. he seemed to remember ser Sshirx, <n ' he turned to his dazed brai tor woids with whaGh \ to reassure he-.
 Lydia! You will .,0nx3 5sc5 Co me, will you not. I'll dtec fow sAs say of your return. Tell ae 10 ' sas x ie. I may come then, m,T ua>s Ss@ak, darling, if you love ne:''
 "Oh, it may be three, four, doar know how many years!" she noaned, drearily.
 Even so, even so, ~ ssass: nay Inot?
 "You will have forga'ssn," shaI ope- 1essly murmured.
 "No, never, never!" he prr,cested, VI hemently. You will let me snow VI, en you return-promise Lydias" "
 "Yesa yes; but you must go now. Go now-if you love mel" She pushed him gently from her. He took those hands which were pushing him away and covered them with kisses. And with the kisses were mingled few tears.
 She heard the front door close gen tly. Slow, heavy footsteps tramped down to, the street The Ellis who had entered go buoyantly an hour be- fore now dragged his steps homeward. He could see the years of her absence stretched out before him like an inter- minable martyrdom. He saw himself grim1y working at his professoriate, all incentive lacking. The Ellis West of dashing mien and splendid spirits had suddenly vanished. ..-...
 But the next morning came the most unexpected thing of all-a note from Lydia. It read as follows:
 Dearest Ellis: Just as you left last night Uncle Nst came in, bearing the best news for you and me. Can you guess? He has been transferred from the architectural department to the department of Italian arts. The presi- dent of the Athlenean is going to send young Harvey abroad for those castles, as he needs Uncle Nat near for the coming exposition. And so we are not going to Europe on that tiresome e trip. and you are coming up this evening, are you not? Yours lovingly from now on, LYDIA"
 For further details, watch the mar riage columns of the society papers Home Magazine.