Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-11-27

out kloWlHB IHdU you dIc SuIClY mine, bound to me by the sacred ties of matrimony.'
 Jane recoiled. ''You cannot mean l she exclaimed, that you have com 3 1 to marry me now"
 "And why not? Was it not to De when I chose?"
 True; but surely you will give me more time. My father, my mother, 1 even my brother, are not here. You ! would not have me marry without their presence? No; I am confident you have but said this to test my loy
 atty to my promise" And if I had" he sneered, Sit 1 would seem the test has proven a severe strain; that the tension has
 brought your promise to the break ing-point."
 You wrong me-" she answered. "I am ready to keep my promise, but I had expected more charity in time" "Yet, as l recollect it, there was no question of time in our compact save Ruch time as should be of my choos-
 ing.n
 That Is so; and yet am sure you will not take it i'll if II beseech you to make your choice of a later date. You cannot consider it unreasonable that l should ask little time for preparations week, if you will; but if not, then day. am certain you | will grant me this.''
 Her every protest but served to increase Bessemer's determination. Ut may be that my memory plays me false." he remarked, yet it occurs to me that the other night you promised to marry me at any mo- ment which might seem to me most. expedient. This is the moment; but if such were not your promise, then of course-"
 Such was my promise, but"
 But now that the object for which that promise was given is attained, may whistle for the payment of my claimP Is that your stand2 We'll, while I should have looked for fairer treatment at the hands of a daughter of the Ellerys and the sister of your brother. still--'' Say no more,' Jane interrupted proudly. 'I shall beseech no further favcrs. I am prepared to do your bidding.'
 "Ah, madam" he observed, fit Is your better self which speaks" He turned toward the porch upon which Mrs. EDery had remained impatient. My dear aunt to be-" he said, 1T am a candidate for your congratulations Your beloved niece has promised to marry me at once"
 "Jane, what folly is this?' her aunt cried. ''It cannot be that you have submitted to this mans importu- mites? Fie, I am ashamed of you! You are no niece of mine"
 Dear aunt" Jane answered wearily, it is the keeping of a promise. You would not have me. break it?"
 ssTusb!" the other woman ex-. claimed; .'there are worse things than broken promises. I have seen the Ellerys make fools of themselves many time to keep their word, and regret it bitterly afterwards. Thank God, have no silly Ellery traditions back of me. am a Morgan, and Morgan is not afraid to break a promise if by so doing greater crimes can be prevented; and what greater crime could there be, Jane, than the perjury of swearing to love and honor this man when you know that you do neither? Think you,"r she con- tinued, that will permit my house to be the scene of such 8 farce? Never! You must find some other spot."'
 Bessemer turned with lifted brows to Jane. If" she said, in answer to his look, "my aunt will not permit us to be married under her roof, she will not. am sure, drive us from her garden"
 She descended the steps as she spoke, glad to get into the open, for even the well-ventilated hall was choking her. Her pride forbade her to make another protest against the keeping of her promise, and she was anxious to have the ordeal over.
 Bessemer summoned the chaplain and the higher officers, and with a brief but adroit explanation request ed the reverend gentleman to per- form the ceremony. That holy man began a hasty search for his book, not being prepared for so startling a demand. Bessemer's brows con UTHCUSu dS bIc SCdICllF ICIIS UuCuCu
 While they all stood thus, they were startled by shouts coming from the hill where the Ellery mansion had once stood. The shouts were followed by some scattering shots which fell far short, as they were meant to do, of the waiting group Upon the hill could be seen gathering of man, horsemen.
 Officers and men turned eager eyee upon Bessemer. Would he respond to this challenge sent him from that distant point, or would he proceed with his marriage? But Bessemer had been soldier before he was lover, and to do aught but respond was not his nature. With a hasty word to Jane, ringing command to his men, he leaped into his saddle and dashed towards the eminence. The horsemen whirled about Their mission was acomplished--to draw him from the n. 4I-. .