Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-11-14

kSSA@w it was very near htS journeys end To be explicit it was my opinion that he halted his vehicle just beyond the hill and made a call in the orchard before appearing openly at the Wither- spoon house. The apple trees were surging famously that day, giving bet ter glimpses toward the lodge than I had ever before enjoyed, or should not have caught momentary view of him. as he was hurrying away after his visit.
 I did not mention this circumstance when we sat down together in my room to talk the whole matter over. Instead I opened the conversation by asking whether he knew a young lady named Helena Jones.
 "Yes; certainly" said he. She's a friend of Sibyfs. She's been at our house often. What about herT
 He had an exaggerated air of eau ton, more frank than the most open manner of another, for insincerity play fully assumed by him was like mar row mans coat on his back, making him seem all the broader. was re- minded of his way when he used to play cards with me long ago, and I could always read in his face what sort of flhand he held. ..s
 '1've met her out here" said I. "Shs is very beautiful girl"
 He seemed to weigh this statement doubtfully.
 'I really never thought so," said he.
 Though I had long been aware that those whom, he found right at heart were always beautiful to him and the others never. was still surprised that he should carry the peculiarity to this absurd extremity.
 "She does not in any way compare with Sibyl," he<added, and instantly perceived that he would have wished to recall the words. .
 ''You promised not to describe Sibyl to me, didn't your'' cried. -...
 He possessed himself of a palm leaf fan that was in reach and began to wave 1t to good purpose. ..
 II had a pregentiment," said he, '.that this interview would be difficult" !"
 And then he laughed in that fine, hearty tone that fingers in the hearers memory.
 Tt Is considered unwise," he added, ito praise girl too highly in advance. One expects so much"
 "Sibyl must have known we'll enough what you would say of her," rejoined, "and don't wonder she begged for mercy. I would have done so on my own account if it had not been too late. She must have found me terrible dis appointment"
 He looked at me in perfectly genuine surprise.
 'I didn't know she'd seen you," he said-"that is, of course she's seen you butt
 Not here.''
 He nodded, repeating my words:
 Not here. Though even that isn't strictly true, should fancy. Perhaps oughtn't to say more"
 I looked him straight in the eye.
 If you are going to be mysterious, shall get up and smash the furniture said 1. Never again shall be able tc endure the quality of mystery in a hu man being"
 Why, what do you mean? he asked astonished. T thought you had found this little game of SibyPs quite anus ing. If you knew her better Really you mustn't allow this to prejudice you against her. The fault is all mine. My wooden stupidity in writing such let ters to you about her.
 T am not speaking of either of you, said I. There is a heaven sent boy upon this place whose works were in my mind when condemned all rnys- teries And this brings me easily to my confession. In New York I met a very charming young woman named Anna Lamoine"-
 "It seems to me that I have beard of her." said my father
 ''She carried me completely off my 1eet," continued. 1T cannot blame myself surely not her. The bcst man