Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-01-20

room. Some one--it Is M. de Ludre--l am 1ure 1t is. He has bribed Jean to 70 away so that he may be alone with me An! if he were gentleman he would never do that. (Closing the door she locks 1t rapldIy.)
 There, that Is an insult that you brought upon yourself, sir! He signs: he bewails his sad fate. If only I would be kind--. Well. my friend. will read your letter: will read 1t immediately.
 'T don't hear anything moro. (She opens the door and looks through.) No one there--no one--he has gone. Did he come at all, wonder or was it mere ly the autumn wind blowing through the halia
 What an afternoon! My nerves are all gone to pieces. If M. de Ludre wasn't there, if he really didn't come at all, have suspected him wrongly--I have slandered him. Tn reparation, ought to read his letter; besides. he will not have written anything that he has not already told me. (She picks up a letter from the table and starts to open it, then catches sight of the other lying beside it)
 '1 mustn't make mistake and take the one that isn't meant for me. But how can I tell which is which? They are both the same shape, the same size and both are without an address. One of them belongs to me, and have every right to read it: but which is 1t?
 "I can't make out any writing through the envelopes. What shall I do? Truly my sense of honor is likely to have terrible trial. The letter that l didn't care straw about reading two minutes ago, am now all on fire to see.
 "Ah. I have an idea; will put both letters back and draw but one. The first idence in chances"
 She drops both letters into the hat, takes out one, and after a moments pause tears open the envelope and de- cides to read it.
 eft is centuries since have written you
 "Ah, that is not meant for me, am sure. However. I am not sorry for my mistake. Let us see my letter, now. (She opens the second letter.) Mime. la Baronne, permit me to ask the help of your ever ready charity and to solicit your kindness Why, what is thisf It is letter from Jean, my farmer; his wife is sick, the medicines are very ex- pensive, etc, and there is nothing else in the envelope
 sTt was true, then; it really was a let~ ter from a miserable looking fellow. An! I thought hoped. Come, will not think of it. Who knows, though, but what have thrown away my happi- ness?"
 She picks up the other letter, mechan- ioaly. and reads, beginning:
 "'It is centuries since have written you, dear lady
 Dear lady! did well to read 1t! ! had no right to do such thing. But has he any right to console himself so quick ly for losing me. Him! He is an odious brute. and it was an inspiration from Heaven that led me to refuse his hand. .e&Let us see in what style he writes to another the same things that he said to me only yesterday: It is centuries since wrote to you, dear friend, and I hasten to ask your forgiveness. To-mor- row I leave for Paris, where shall sec you in the evening"
 "At any rate. he doesn't waste any time beating about the bush. ,
 CT am very unhappy and need your consolation 2"
 Listen to that, will you!
 "'You know the great love feel for Mime de Varjolis You know, also that it has been my greatest hope for a year to unite my life to that of this beautiful, good woman, so worthy to be the happiness and delight of an hon. orable man. Alas! yesterday she re- fused me in terms that could not mis- take, and I shall leave immediately (Touched) But don't want him to so!
 eff my beloved mother were still alive, should go to her. This is why am coming to you. dear madame, who are her oldest and dearest friend. To you alone can tell of my unhappiness. Your devoted and afflicted
 Rene de Ludre.' Deeply touched) But he needn't go so far to tell his unhappiness. Why doesn't he come to me. and we will make up. Poor boy. my willfulness has made him suffer! How many wrongs have to repair! But will make them up--I will, indeed, with all my heart. Here is postscript:
 CT cannot send such a sad letter without redeensing touch of bright ness. Here is the funny side of my visit here: Would you believe that there is not single drawer in my room that has ! 8 key!' Why. 1t isn't possible!
 However, have at my service . fellow that answers to the name of Jean. who loves to read manuscripts and all of my papers wherever he finds them as soon as my back is turned. have found only one method of escaping his indis- erect curiosity. It is the simplest way in the world, but 1t answers admirably: I hide all my correspondence in the lin- ing of my hat. Fortunately, it never occurs to him that a hat needs to be brushed!'