Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-09-15
59HE Watch for Our
 sg FRIDAY NIGHT ADv.
stairs, fee4ng 4-~-. s.,n an unacknowi
 edged terror. The bride lay on her

 stairs, feeii.ng s-~. Nh an unacknowi edged terror. The bride lay on hei bedroom floor in dead faint.
 He joined them at lunch and spoke re- gretfully of the fact that Bertha was not well enough to leave her room.
 I'd looked forward so to this," he said. ITO the being with you all again Of course, see now that was bit oJ fool not to have prepared you in some way But was so anxious to get back. And 1t seemed to me that being Chris tians, you would find it natural enough. wonder more don't return. But it's an effort I suppose indolence keeps them on the other side''
 You mustn't think I'm hurt or any thing of that kind,'' he began In a dep recating, explanatory tone. Of course, know how glad you all are, but you re startled. You mustn't fancy don't understand. In day or two the shock will have passed off, and we shall all be happy together as we used to be. Poor little Bertha. The sudden joy was almost too much for her, wasn't it?"
 After lunch the elder daughter drew her father on one side. All those wreaths, she saId, ought to be arr ranged on the grave, oughtn't they ? People will wonder
 Yes" he answered. You're quite right ought to be done.''
 She got her hat and went across into the churchyard, grateful for the fresh of the outer world Her brother went to the window and looked out, saw her among the tombstones stopping over her work.
 He turned to his father with bitter smile. Dorothy was always a tidy little soul," he said; "but it's extraor- dinary how illogical woman can be- 1"
 As the day passed they noticed a change in him. He had always been of an open, happy disposition, fond of companionship, and easily pleased. It was in this mood that he had returned. But their secret terror, the uncontroll- able aversion of which they were so much ashamed, told after awhile on the mental atmosphere. Outwardly they bore the tension of his presence pretty we'll. It is astonishing how soon horror becomes homely. Only he, who knew their voices and the little affectionate habits of their daily life. saw that he was being treated as a visitor.
 Bertha came down to tea with an air of determined placidity, which sat oddly on her babyish face But she still wore her black dress. She was careful not to be left alone with her husband. He was moody now and silent; but I think they found this less horrible than his gayety had been. Once he said, in tone that was almost sulky: For reunited family we manage to con ceal her raptures pretty well. Then Magdalen, the younger sister, who had never loved him much. put on an air of fierce cheerfulness, talking and laughing loudly, but it did not con- vince.
 At dinner they were silent, and the tone of his voice when he spoke was re- sentfuI. They all knew themselves to be behaving crully-worse, awkward ly; but any other conduct seemed im- possible.
 As bed time approached they looked at one another with new fear. To- | EOGAGT t1Sy WCAG AA &IAOs 6Ae Oe-NAA 1 dreaded the dark hours, and in the faces of the others saw her own ter ror The girls were full of pity for the bride, but they did not dare offer their companionship.
 As the clock struck II he got up and looked at his wife. There came over his face an expression which meant de- l termination and also great expectancy. l She rose, too, and went almost steadily to the door. Her face was white and l her eyes stared curiously. They heard her run upstairs with 8 sudden scutter- ing rush of a frightened animal. Her I door closed sharply and the key was | turned in the lock-twice, in a sort of i frenzy of haste. In the room below ! there was quietness for moment or two and a feeling of unbearable suspense. 1 No one dared look at the bridegroom. who had remained standing in the posi- | tion he took up when his wife rose from her seat.
 Presently he went and stood before I his father and spoke-without anger. but in tone that suggested an unal- terable loneliness.
 q must apologize, father, he said. t'for having annoyed you and the oth- 1 CTS like this It was mistake--I had not realized that a grave could be so :. quickly filled up. But you will soon l forget Eleven hours of reality are not too much out of a lifetime of illusion" ,"
 He went out, but stopped on the threshold for an instant.
 l Persuade Bertha that I am not an imagination. T he said. She is such a nervous little thing"
 Tn the morning they found that some violent and disdainful hand had tossed all the fading wreaths away from the grave It stared at them from the ] trim green os the churchrard hrnwrs