Connecticut western news., 1903-07-02

l mat ne was 6liiia. Shutting her eyes in a railway carriage to open them | when she pleased was child's play. | This man was blind, though his eyes | were wide open.
 "Torp Is that you? They said you | were coming" Dick looked puzzled | and little irritated at the silence. | No; it's only me-" was the answer, in strained little whisper. Maisie could hardly move her lips.
 "H'mr said Dick composedly, with | out moving. This Is new phenom- enon. Darkness Pm getting used to. but I object to hearing voices" | Was he mad, then, as we'll as blind, that he talked to himself? Maisie's heart beat more wildly. and she breathed in gusps. Dick rose and be- | gnn to feel his way across the room. touching each table aud chair as he l passed Once he caught his foot on n rug and sworc, dropping on his knees to feel what the obstruction might be. | Maisie remembered him walking In the park us though all the earth be longed to him, tramplng up and down | her studio two months ago and flying I up the gangway of the channel steam CT The beating of her heart was mak, ing her sick, and Dick was coming | nearer, guided by the sound of her ! breathing She put out a hand me l chanically to ward him off or to draw I him to herself. she did not know which. It touched his chest. and he stepped back as though he had been shot.
 Its Maisie"' said he, with dry sob. What are you doing here" l "I camel came-to see you-pleaser' v l Dicks lips closed firmly.
 Wont you sit down, then? You see. I I've had some bother with my eyes, and"-
 "I kNow, know. Why didn't you tell me,"
 'I couldn't write"
 "Yep might have told MT. Torpen- how"
 "What has he to do with my af. fairs?"
 "He-he brought me from vitry7sur. Marne. He thought I ought to see you"
 Why. what has happened? Can do anything for you. No. can't. I forgot"
 "Oh, Dick. I'm so sorry! I've come t0 tell you, and Let me take you back to | your chair"
 | Don't! I'm not child. You only do that out of pity. I never meant to tell you anything about it. I'm no good l now. I'm down and done for. Let me ! alone"
 He groped back to his chair, his chest laboring as he sat down. Maisie was afraid no more.
 II shan't"' she said, settling herself < on the arm of the chair. You belong now, Dickie, and I've come up all these [ stairs, and-and-and'- Here the X tears began, with unromantic snivelinc | and mopping of the checks. He was trembling under the touch of her hand | on his shoulder, but his face was turned away from her. Dick, you 1 aren't going to be selfish now I've | come back? I'm so sorry! Oh, I'm Sc | sorryr' l "I knew that was all. Won't you | leave me alone? 1 shall have to suffer for this afterward."
 | You won't! She bent down and whispered in his ear. When the foun- | tains of the great deep are broken up | there follow rain and miracles. "Yes, l do," she said, flushing crimson. My darling, I do. l don't care. You can 1 sulk as much as you like and I won't be angry. I've been a villain-a wicked little villain. Shall I 20 down on my knees and tell you so? Don't be stupid Dickie. It's no use pretending. You know you care for me-" E.r -'I do! God knows I dor' ! What nonsense then, pretending td be selfish" The voice grew unsteady. | cD'you remember the Dover boat? Take that then, and be sensible. Oh help me, Dickr' she whispered. "I can't make love all by myself.' l The unspoken argument clinched all and Maisie was in Dicks arms crying as though her heart would burst.
 Hush. dear. hushi Whats the use of worrying: It's all right now" said DICK, stroklng the head on his shoulder
 We did belong, Dick. didn't we? It l was my fault-all my fault" Maisie whimpered. her face hidden.
 >'I like that fault Be more fault some." -
 "Course you did" She laughed through her tears. IT had to do all the all the lovemaking. It was horrible!
 Tt was only me, what did it matter? If 1t had been a strange man you might have objected. And then, again, you took me on my blind side"
 That's an ugly word. and you aren't going to use 1t any more." But it's true, dear. I'd give every thing except you to see your face again. But I'm blind"
 Maisie thought for a minute till love gave her pure reason. That's non- sense too. Listen, stupid. You said ten years were nothing. And they weren't. We belonged just the same. Now do you remember out on the flats with the pistol when my hair got into your | eyesT Dick caught the click of hair pins, and Maisie's long locks fell about his face. You couldn't see now if you tried ever so. Let's pretend it's only my wig in your eyes for just little longer for fifty or sixty years. Fifty's five 1 times less important than ten. Can't ] you see that, darling" She shook her 1 head to increase both the darkness and the understanding.
 "I sec" skid Dick very contentedly, "Oh, it's good to have you back again l Maisier'
 Its gooder to be back, bad boy" And they argued that point gravely 1 with interruptions. and they discussed 1 ways and means also with interrup- tions, and they took no count of time till Maisie said, "I haven't any clothes haven't eaten anything for years. l haven't anywhere to live except in the little house, and the caretaker there will be out, and I must go and be a l party"
 What's that, dearT'
 "There was a man once," said Mai