Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-02-12

selling the horses Had she known that | her father had entered Diablo in the l Brooklyn handicap she might even have refused to part with the horse. As it happened, Porter had entered both Lu- cretia and Diablo in the Brooklyn day or so before his accident.
 Crane assured Mrs. Porter that she need not distract her mind over money matters, the bank could easily carry their load until her husband was himself again.
 Crane had meant to defer any protes- tation of regard for Allis until propi- tious future. but with his quick percep- tion he saw the psychological mo- ment had been moved forward by the sudden effacement of the master of Ringwood. If he spoke now to Mrs. Porter 1t would give her a right to call upon his services. He would appear fin the light of 8 debtor; it would break down barriers which might seem to ex- lst because Of their nonrelationship. | 50 the banker spoke to Mrs. Porter l of his strong love for Allis; SO delicate ly, and with so much sincerity that she was completely won over. Though strong in spiritual matters. the good woman was not without worldly instinct. She was pleased with Crane personally; | he was not by any means alracing man: a rich banker, who would make most | desirable husband for her daughter. Of course, 1t would rest with the girl her self. Mrs. Porter would not coerce her. To the mothers suggestion that he speak to Allis he put forward plea of delicate consideration for the girl; he would rather deny himself; he would wait patiently until her mind was in q happier condition. Cleverly enough he knew that Mrs. Porter was now his ally, and would plead his cause with less chance of failure than if he startled AL lis by the sudden fronting of life's great problem '
 Almost immediately Mrs. Porter transmitted to the girl what had come to her of Cranes declaration.
 ''It seems almost like an answer to my prayer" she said to Allis; mot, of course"-she interrupted herself-"that I've been praying for a husband for you, but this wicked racing has warped my life: it seemed inevitable in the strength of it's contaminating atmos- phere that you would be welded into it."
 Then you've settled it, mother!" AL lis big eyes took on 8 dangerous look of rebellion.
 "No, daughter; you must choose for yourself; only you will be wise not to go contrary to your parents wishes. | did"
 'sBut you are not sorry, mother?" there was reproach in the girls voice.
 Mot for having welded your father, but because of his racing life. should have been hrmer, and asked him to give 1t up before married him. He might have done it then. MT. Crane Is gen. tleman, Allis, and he loves you most sincerely. Words often mean very lit- tie, but one can tell from mau's voice whether he is in earnest or not sup pose 1t is very worldly to speak of his riches, but in poverty one can do very little, very little good. The dread of poverty is nightmare: it wears one's life threadbare. To the young. buoyed up by confidence in the rosy future, this may seem sordid, but this feeling of l insecurity mars many lives which might otherwise be happy.
 "You see, Allis," her mother contin- ued, 'I know you are heart-whole, so I can't cause you any misery by my well-meant advice. MT. Mortimer is, dare say, gentleman, and must con- fess was afraid that you might mis- take feeling of generosity to him for something stronger; but that was only an idle fancy I see. It would have been unfortunate if it were otherwise, for he is very poor indeed. His small salary must be all taken up in keeping himself, his widowed mother and younger sis | ter"
 Allis gave sudden start. She had not known these particulars of Morti- mer's life; but they carried certain ex- plantations of his conduct. Quite cas- uaIIy she had formed an impression that he was penurious. Unwittingly her mother was pleading the cause of two men. 'I wouldn't have spoken to you of this matter while your father is so i'll If it weren't for the fact that our position is very precarious. I can't III rstand just how badly off we are, but if any thing were to happen your father, I hardly know what would become of us." .
 And MT, Crane has promised to help us ,if-if---" There was hard ring in the girls voice as she spoke.
 There is no if' about it, daughter. MT. Crane is our friend, your fathers friend, and he is going to help us; and he only spoke of his regard for you by way of an excuse-it was delicacy on his part, thinking that I would have less compunction in accepting his good offices. All ask. girl, Is that you will try to like MT. Crane; if you can't, well, you won't find me making you unhap- py. But I can tell you this, Allis, un- less matters mend, and how the change is to come I can't say, your father will lose Ringwood and 1t will belong to MT. Crane. Even if the horses were sold off, the money would not clear the debts; besides, think even the horses are encumbered."
 Allis stood in indecision for little, thjnkiUR dpaD1U. fhNu ahA want NN fr,