Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-03-31

regular visitor at her house, and each succeeding day had brought to him afresh the realization of his love tor her. To him she was the one desirable thing life held.
 She was, and would always be the dominant note of his life. She was the woman of his dreams, and fame,. wealth and position appeared as aothing beside her. Gladly would he have renounced them all for her sake, but only too well he realized his position. His was a strong na-. sure, and he fought valiantly for what the world demanded of, him, ais loyalty to his wife, Night after, night he had lain awake tossing in ais agony of hopeless loye--the love. his lips dared not utter, and there was not 8 waking moment that her face was not before him.
 For ten days he had martyred him. self by staying away from her, but regularly every night he had walked past the house to catch a glimpse of her through the low windows, with put which he could not rest. From outside he had watched her among her guests, and wondered if she missed him. He had longed So to go in, to hear her voice in pleas ant greeting, to see the flush arise on her cheeks, the roguish sparkle in her eyes, but it was q part of the punishment he had laid out for himself that he should not.
 As he walked down the street, he noticed that the house was not light sd, but by the rays of the summer moon he caught the f1utter of a white dress on the veranda, and conn Ing closer he saw her sink into one of the porch chairs and drop her head on her outstretched arms as they rested on the veranda rail. Coming closer in the shadow, he heard stifed sob, then another. Crying -she-she, who had always laughed things away. With bound he was up the steps beside her. Fate had won.
 "Agnes!"
 She sprang to her feet, quietly greeting him with outstrteched hand. and smiling, flushed face, calmly ig-
 
 face.
 He clenched his hands at his side, he could not trust himself to t&1ch her hand. She drew hers quickly back
 Have I offended you?" she asked.
 Something in her voice banished all his self-restraint. Moved by an un- controllable impulse, he reached out and drew her to him, pressing his lips to her cheek, her hair, and her lips.
 Offended me?' he cried. "Yes, by your sweetness, your personality yourself. love you, love you" For the moment she lay unresisting in his arms, yielding herself to his ca resses, then she pushed him back.
 "Oh, you must not-you must not, , she cried, struggling in his em- brace.
 He held her only the tighter, laugh ing like & boy at her struggles. Ralph, Ralph, let me go. You are mad. You do not know what you are saying
 "Yes," he cried. ttMad-mad with ioVS 1oI you. AAoWS1* Aho' hS pushed her off from him and held her by the shoulders that he might look into her face. Do you love mel"
 She covered her burning face with her hands.
 Answer me-"
 "God help me, yes" she replied, and sprang from him, dropping white and trembling into chair. His face was radiant as he knelt be- side her.
 Agnes, do not shrink from me, my darling. Can't you realize how II love you. It has been like liging fire in my heart. I never meant 60 say it. ! meant to go away, but now oh! you love me, love me, and I-I want nothing but you, want you alVyAys