Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-03-27

woman concerning the most important thing in life to her and be proud of it, but you see even now I have all faith In your love for me, else surely should not be here. You see trust even your unspoken word, when 1t might, without much blame to you, be spo- ken lie; yet you do not trust me, who have no world-given right to speak falsely about such things, and when that which | now do is full of shame for me, and what I have done full of guilt, if inspired by aught but the pur- est truth from my heart of hearts. Your words mean so much-so much more, think, than you realize-and are so cruel in turning to evil the high est. purest impulse woman can feel the glowing pride in self surrender and the sweet, delightful privilege of giving where she loves. How can you? How can you?"
 How eloquent she was! It seemed to me this would have melted the frozen sea, but I think Brandon felt that now his only hope lay in the safeguard of his constantly upheld Indignation.
 When ke spoke he ignored all she had said
 ssYou did we'll to employ my Lord of ! Buckingham. It will make matters more interesting when tell you it was he who attacked you and was caught by the leg under his wounded horse; he was lame, am told, for some time aft erward had watched him following you from the gate at Bridewell and at once recognized him when his mask fell off during the fight by the wall. You have done well at every step, eee.'
 '.Oh, God; to think of it! Had but known Buckingham shall pay for this with his head; but how could know? I was but poor, distracted girl, sure to make some fatal error. I was in such agony your wounds-believe me, I suffered more from them than you could Every pain you felt was pang for me-and then that awful marriagel I was being sold like wretched slave to that old satyr, to be gloated over and feasted upon. No man can know the horror of that thought to woman ito any woman, good or bad. To have one's beauty turn to curse her and make her desirable only-only as we'll fed cattle are prized. No matter how great the manifestation of such so called love, 1t all the more repels a woman and adds to her loathing day by day. Then there was something worse than alr'-she was almost weep ing now"I might have been able to bear the thought even of that hideous marriag age-others have lived through the like-but-but after-that-that day--when you-it seemed that your touch was spark dropped into heart full of finder, which had been lying there awaiting it all these years. Tn that one moment the flame grew so in- tense could not withstand 1t. My throat ached; could scarcely breathe. and it seemed that my heart would burst" Here the tears gushed forth as she took a step toward him with out stretched arms and said between sobs: II wanted you you, for my husband for my husband, and could not bear the torturing thought of losing you or enduring any other man. could not give you up after that-it was all too late, too late; it had gone too far. I was lost, lostr'
 He sprang to where she stood lean ing toward him and caught her to his breast.
 She held him from her while she said: 4Now you know-now you know that would not have left you in that terrible place had I known it. No, not if it had taken my life to buy your freedom"
 'T do know; do know. Be sure of that I know it and shall know 1t all l ways, whatever happens; nothing can change me. I will never doubt you again. It Is my turn to ask forgiveness now"
 'No, no. Just forgive me. That is all I ask" And her head was on his breast.
 "Let us step out into the passageway, Edwin" said Jane, and we did. There were times when Jane seemed to be in- spired.
 l When we went back into the room, Mary and Brandon were sitting in the window-way on his great cloak. They rose and came to us, holding each oth- CTS hands, and Mary asked, looking up to him:
 sShall we tell themW
 ''As you like; my lady"
 Mary was willing, and looked for
 Brandon to speak, so he said, "This
 lady whom hold by the hand and my
 self have promised each other before
 the good God to be husband and wife if fortune ever so favor us that it be possible"
 "No; that is not it," interrupted Ma ry. 'aThere is no if in it. It shall be
 whether it is possible or not. Nothing lshall prevent" At this she kissed Jane
 and told her how she loved her, an6
 gave me her hand, for her love was SC
 great within her that it overhowe6
 upon every one. She, however, always
 had plenitude of love for Jane, and
 though she might scold her and appar
 entity misuse her, Jane was as dear a:
 a sister and was always sure of hel
 steadfast, tried and lasting affection.
 After Mary had said there should bt
 no If" Brandon replied:e
 "Very well, Mime. Destiny" Then
 turning to us, What ought to do fo