Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-09-28

Mfrs. Word, yoaL don't suspect me P looked haggard. Yet it was impossible that she could be connected with the matter in any way. He ventured a leading question, ''Why are you so anxious to know about this case?''
 Mrs. Wards reply rather astonished him. T am not blind,'' she said quiet ly, land I know well enough that you admire my daughter. You are poor, you are unknown, and should Dorothy marry you she would make very bad match."
 -I am awareio of that began George, "but''
 Wait cried Mrs. Ward. raising her hand. T have not yet done. Notwith- standing all these disadvantages, made up my mind to place no bar to your union with my daughter, as she seems to like you'-
 "She loves me- Mrs. Ward
 Nonsense Dorothy is too young to know the meaning of the word say she likes you, so we can let it stand at that. But in spite of your poverty and obscurity"- y"--Brendon winced, for Mrs. Wards tone was insolent in the extreme-"I am not willing that you should marry Dorothy, unless'' She hesitated.
 .Unless P, queried George, looking steadily at her.
 Now we come to the point Unless your character is above suspicion"
 What do you mean?"
 "You know well enough. Here you go to q house, and while you are there ,the mistress of it is murdered 1 George rose with some indignation "Good heavens, Mrs Ward, you don't suspect mev' he cried
 ''Oh, dear, no. But it would be un- pleasant for my daughter to have a husband mixed up with such shady affair."
 "I am not mixed up with it, Mrs. Ward
 '.Ttss unpleasant, said Mrs. Ward, willfully holding to her opinion. T don't like it. Find out who killed that woman, and I say nothing But until you do find out, and until the assassin is brought to justice, I must ask you to discontinue your visits to Dorothy" Brendon saw that she was simply making an excuse to rid herself of his presence so as to leave the way clear for Walter Vane. But he was too strong a man to be foiled in this way and speedily made up his mind how to act "Shall we leave the matter to Miss Ward?''
 That means you wish to see her" said the mother cleverly. "Oh, we'll there is no reason why you should not. But it will be for the last time, remem- Der. Your character must bear inspec- tion.r
 '. T think it does, 7 cried George, rather nettled.
 Mrs. Ward, who by thls time was nearly at the door, turned lightly and replied in her most kittenish way: z ''Ah, my dear MT. Brendon, I know moro than you think. Lola Velez''-
 "Lola yelezr' George looked and felt uneasy.
 ''YoGs change color. lOh I have heard all about you and that dancer" # q assure you that my connection { with that lady is perfectly innocent 5 ' Mrs. Ward scoffed. ..Lady!" she 1 said, sneering. What next? How, ever, I do not wish to hear the partic- ulars. Such creatures are nothing to :. ne. And if you clear yourself of this a very shady business in Amelia square by discovering the true assassin I shall overlook Lola Velez."
 There is no need to overlook her or me-"
 II think there is,'' said Mrs. Ward frigidly and with a wave of her slim hand. '"rbere is no more to be said, MT. Brendon. You know my decision, and as Dorothy's mother I have some power, hope Now I will send her to 2 you, and you can say what you like \ in fact, you can communicate to her the state of my feelings. But" added Mrs. Ward, shooting Parthtan arrow, T should not mention Lola Velez if I were you. Goodby. shall not see you for many a long day, expect.''
 And hope" said Brendon, much mortified
 "And hope" replied Mrs. Ward cool 1y. You are the last man in the i world I should like for my son-in-law. Marry that dancer" And, with a shrill, unpleasant laugh, Mrs. Ward vanished. Brendon paced tho room, waiting for Dorothy. How Mrs. Ward had learn ed of his connection with Lola Velez he could not understand. Brendon was perfectly innocent, and what he had done for the dancer was dictated by pure kindness. But even if he ex- plained the whole circumstances of his meeting and of his philanthropy to ;. Dorothy, she was a woman, when all was said and done, and might not be- lieve him. On the whole, he decided to take Mrs. Wards advice and hold his tongue on the subject of the dancer. On some future occasion he might be able to explain, and at the present moment he had the satisfaction of knowing that his conscience was clear. He had just arrived at this decision when Dorothy entered the. room. The