Waterbury Democrat., 1902-02-26

his own hands. At the big summer hotel he served as an amateur guide, boatman, equerry, escort, to those who needed him. It was Henry who best knew where lurked the biggest bass, and to what bait they would rise. He could sail single sticker with the in- trepidity and assurance of cup chal- lenger. He could row for hours with out fatigue. He rode like life guards man and knew the secret pockets of the woods like trapper. In addition, Henry Lestrange was as handsome as the young Antinous, student who bade fair to become a scholar gen. tleman by instinct, and within his as- piring breast dwelt soul whose young ambition had raised a ladder whose higher rungs were hidden in the sym pathetic skies.
 This was the attendant who had been placed wholly at the service of Miss Carrolrs party-which meant at the pleasure of Miss Carroll herself. She viewed him languidly at first, as she might have viewed any other domesticated creature assigned to do her bidding. On the second day she became aware that he was good to look upon. Then she adroitly delved in the depths of his unsophisticated mind and found its native keenness and it's alloy of innocence mine of strange gems she had never looked upon. The task of breaking heart so simple, so ingenious, so unsullied, so limpid in its virgGnal simplicity, seemed to her languorous pastime quite in harmony with her intention of restfulness. It would be neither difficult nor too exciting, but it would while the Minnetonkan hours. She undertook it, armed with the softly insidious wiles a deep experience had begotten.
 But it was not long before Marguer- ite perceived the random fire of her ambushed batteries was intellectual to disturb this unconscious opposing force. Henry was studiously polite, unquenchably good humored. No pet ulance annoyed him, olabor fatigued. Yet when his hand touched hers as he steadied her step into rocking boat, or assisted her to the saddle, or helped her through ferny bog seeking for wood treasures, she could feel no tremor, could see no mantling of hot DlOOu lO HIS uJilll8FNQ tlNNiN' AAAeAe'tAJ 1 this pleased her. If the quarry were shy, more sport and glory for the hunter. The game promised rarer interest than she had hoped.
 The week Miss Carroll had marked for her sojourn passed. She reen- gagged her apartments, indefinitely. | Minnetonka had far more entrance ments than she had known, she said. | She released her chaperon from att l tendance, and defiantly went upon long excursions with Lestrange alone. They walked together in the woods, rode in the dusk, rowed in the moon light, now growing faint He re. mained unresponsiye, not cold, but un- conscious, unappreciative of his con- quest. One night she cried herself to sleep, she, Marguerite Carroll, who had thrown over princes and disdained ministers, and awolSe to know that she was hopelessly in love. Her bosom ragged between a glowing scorn of her l own weakness and deep new-learned tenderness for the man she loved. The ! situation became cruelty uncomfortable. She determined to end it, to crush her pride with fierce fingers, to dare alland by one master stroke to gain all
 ''We are going away tomorrow, MT. Lestrange.'' she Said, on the evening this resolution had been formed. .I have a telegram from uncle which re- calls us at once to Washington
 They were sitting alone upon the veranda, whither she had adroitly sum- moned him. The young man had att tended, as a matter of course. Mrs. Beaumont and Cousin Julia were watching the dancers in the broad clearing of the dining-room. He start ed sharply Marguerite felt her heart leap hopefully.
 ..The news is sudden, isn't it?" he faltered.
 .It is sudden, indeed she answered, inclining her gracious body to him un- til her hair almost brushed his face, and speaking softly in her voice of music, "and I am sorry. It has been pleasant here, and all of us are loath to go. But no one else will care, so what does it matter?"
 "But I care,'' he cried, with deep e1nbarra ssment. Probably I should have told you before, Miss Carroll. l am in love"
 She smiled ineffably, and her voice sounded like caress as she answered.
 "Yet, to be in love is not a crime. Henry. I, at least, could forgive the criminal. Confess, and be forgiven"
 "Ohl' he murmured, rising, his face aglow, .'you really do not know, thenP"
 Her breath faltered, and she sat still and silent.
 T have already confessed, and have been forgiven. l am going to marry your cousin, Miss Henshaw!"