Waterbury Democrat., 1902-12-13


 Madeleine, innocently enough. "Does she want me to go home?"
 ITO go home? No, the night is early yet. But she told me l might bring you here," he said, as they stopped before tiny arbor, with just enough room for two.
 Where is my mother?" said Made 1 Aine, hesitating to take seat inside.
 T lef5 her here, but perhaps she thought 'two's company'-you know the rest. and agree with her. Shall we come imp
 Madeline's instinct warned her; yet, with the inclination strongly to refuse, she yielded and sat down.
 Well, what do you think of your a first bail? You must feel exceeding ly elated It must be proud mo- ment in your life"
 .tI am enjoying myself immensely, for love dancing. But why elated? I should hardly call it that. ssYou must know you're the pret- tiest girl in the room. Doesn't that give you a feeling of elation? It would most women, should say.
 That's compliment, Mir. Merry ueWs and haDe them.
 'tYes, you say you do. All9women profess to hate them, but they ap- preciRte them all the same.
 Pardon me, I don't; they only make me uncomfortable" | Uncomfortable? How sensitive you must be- Are you sentimental as we'll IS sensitive?"
 stI don't know. hope not. T pre- l fer to be sensitive, if I must take my choice. And I expect it's my sensitiveness that makes me feel cold just now. Perhaps we'd better go in doors again" l ttThat's too unkind. You're chilly because you keep me at distance l If I come closer you will be warm enough and he moved some inches nearer to her. "Now, don't you think l you could be a little sentimental for l once with me?" k | He leaned towards her, taking her 1 fan from her unwilling fingers, and l prepared to use it for their joint benefit. It was glorious night, the gardens looked like enchanted ground, besprinkled with jewels of | colored light; above, the blue vault of heaven was over them, shining with bright glitterirg stars; an ideal spot for lovemal1ing. But the words this man had said had only served to i bring an ache of remembrance to the girls inner consciousness. eff only Jack were here," was the cry of her l heart, cnd she turned almost angrily 1 towards her tormentor. .t Don't fan me, please. told you l felt cold. And I am sure I have not the slightest grain of sentiment in my composition"
 My dear girl, you only want to learn. Let me teach you. I am professor with large experience"
 "Thank you, MT. Merrydew, have congratulated myself many times to- day on having finished my education I don't want to learn any more les sons for a long while"
 "But you won't mind hearing some interesting facts, I'm sure. Come now, let me tell you that you are beautiful, and that I want to have you all for myself" he said, taking her hand, and the next minute she felt his arm encircling her waist. She tried to rise and draw her hand away, Eut he only held her the tight CT.
 Don't be angry, darling. Won't you listen to what want to say?"
 .sNo, I will not listen; and take your arm away. How dare you!" she cried, struggling to get free. The next moment his hand had reached her shoulder and his lips were near her cheek. s'I swear, I'll have one kiss, at any rate," he muttered, close. 70 her ear l ,GYou shall not! You shall not! Don't touch mel" she cried, despair ingly. -... the arbor, and Merrydew's clasp re- faxed.
 Madeleine sprang up.
 ."Ah, here you are. I'm afraid I've come too late, Miss Montgomery; but 1 have you dance left, wonder?''
 70, 5ack!" she cried, stepping for ward and slipping her hand through 1 his arm, please take me away" l "Jack, dear," said Madeleine-there l was catch in her voice and she was almost crying as she walked -sswhat's brought you here to-night?"
 "I never thought that I could pos sibly get away, though I wanted to I ever So much. But this morning I had glorious stroke of luck, and 1 hope I've made pot of money. So rushed home at six o'clock, dressed and took the late express down, to tell you urmy good news, and to sec you on this memorable occasion. I'vc been looking for you everywhere for I the last half hour. Your mother said she didn't know where you were. l And what the dickens was that fel- 1 low saying to you, should much like 1 to know?"
 70, never mind him. dear; I'm so glad you've come"
 We mustn't waste a minute. I'm dying for dance. And something else, too, before we go in.'' With discreet glance all round them, under cover If the gemi-darkness, he bent and kissed her lips.
 I