Waterbury Democrat., 1902-08-26

Shortly before this, Alfred Mortell, the son of a rich brewer, had come upon the scene. His reception had not been encouraging, for the little rift within the lute had not yet appeared.
 Now, Mortell was accustomed to re- ceiving an unpleasant amount of att tention and fattery from young ladies and their mammas, and he said to him. self:
 ''Thank heaven! Here is one girl who does not care if l am rich and un- married''
 This feeling inspired the hope of winning Adrienne by his personal mer- its, and he began to court her assidu- ously.
 She was barely civil to him, but Arnold's jealousy was aroused, as has been said. After the lover's quarrel, Adrienne devoted more attention to Morte1l, partly to punish Arnold, free from vanity, and knew how many girls were enyying her the conquest of the young millionaire.
 Thencame the suspicion that Arnold was in love with her money, and then came a ball at Mortell's luxurious house.
 Last of all came her father with the news that Alfred Mortell had asked for her hand.
 She begged for week of delibera- tion, though her mind was made up. She wanted the week in order to be off with the old love decently and in or
 7r,41 c1 should be made by Arnold not by her. self. She wished to appear well in the worlds eyes and his, for, after all, she loved him in a way, and was grateful to him for the little romance he had given her. Hence the rendezvous at Ha1ler's. There, after the waitress had brought the perfume tory ices and retired, Adrienne said:
 "I have bad news for you. You must promise to listen calmly until the end. Then you will understand and perhaps pity me-"
 Arnold obeyed, and she continued:
 '.At one time, you know, we were wealthy. Until a little while ago supposed that we were still wealthy. I knew, indeed, that papa within the last year has had to pay large sums. on my brothers account; but still I could not understand why, when we were alone together, he always seemed so anxious. and troubled. But the other day he told me. that my brother had squandered enormous sums, and, not daring to confess to papa, had tried to cover his losses by speculating in stocks, the result of which was that he lost a deal more. the firm, he has gambled away not only all his own fortune, but most of papa'sl and ours.
 t'Papa has succeeded in obtaining a delay in the payment of the largest debts, he says.
 "When papa told me this, tried to console him by saying that I, for one, did not care so much about money. Then he told me the whole truth. The debts amount to more than we can pay. Unless we receive assistance from some source, the firm will go into sbankruptcy.V Fa &B6kw3
 Adrienhe paused, but Arnold said not a word. U She had glanced at him once or twice to discover the effect of her communication, but she did not dare to look at him squarely for fear he would read the lie in her eyes.
 ..Such being the state of affairs" she continued, sI resolved, after thinking and worrying over it a good deal, to ask you to give me up. I can not consent to chain your fate to mine, and, besides, feel compelled to sacrifice my love for you to my love for my father.
 s'The shame of bankruptcy would kill him-I must save him from it. You know how"
 "Beer?" said Arnold. He was sur- .prised, but never dreamed of question ing the truth of her statement.
 Adrienne shrugged her shoulders. s'Beer, or banking, or railways. What is the difference? I am in the market for the highest bidder.
 s'But-him! But cannot I, perhaps, assist your father? It is true that I have nothing but my salary. Is the sumI mean the sum necessary at once-so very large?"
 A good many thousands There was a long pause. s'I cannot give you up" Arnold said at last.
 4'But you must; I cannot let you sacrifice yourself"
 f'But I love you, Adrienne!~
 "As do you, Arnold. But we must,
 Another long pause. Then Adrienne said:
 '.I must go now, will give you un- til Sunday to decide. If you love me truly you will give me up and not tempt me from my duty. Do not make my heart heavier than it is!''
 'sIf I receive a picture postcard from you on Sunday, I shall know that you agree with me. Good-by!"
 She sprang up and was gone before he could make any effort to detain her. Arnold sat looking at the untasted and melted ices.
 1.-Two years Easted!" he muttered. "And believe am really in love with the little thing. Confound it! But bankrupt father-in-law? Never! After all, it might have been worse. Suppose it had come after our formal betrothal!" Y. Post.