The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1904-03-30

yet only hooking words came to the
old mans heart as the bitterness of the
situation overwhelmed him. She was
a daughter in whom a prince might
have found PRIDE but he remained
there mute. not daring to speak, ex-
periencing all the tortures of remorse
and retribution. and was only recalled
to himself as his glance once more rest
ed upon the young girl
He became dimly conscious that peO-
pie were moving past them, and he sud
denly longed to cry out my childr'
but he fought down the impulse. Some
thing within held him from speaking
TO her-perhaps his own inherent sense
of the consistency of things, his ap-
probation of the legitimate finale to a
miserable order of circumstances. Even
pride forbade departure from long es-
tablished habit. But While this train
of thought passed through his mind he
realized she was regarding him with
clear, compassionate eyes, and he heard
her voice:
"Shall we go now? The services are
over"
He obeyed without question.
covert"
He leaned heavily upon her arm and
his steps were faltering. Out into the
warm sunshine they passed, the light
revealing more plainly the ravages Of
time in his face.
You must take a carriage" she said
to the old man.
THANK you, thank you" he replied.
Leave me here on the bench. l shall
soon be myself. | am only a little
weak. You are good to an old man.
May | not" - asking solely for the
pleasure of hearing her speak-"may
not know the name of one who is kind
TO an old manY
"Nly name is Constance Carew."
He shook as with the palsy. "a good
name, good name" he repeated. Il
remember years ago another of that
name-an actress in London. \ very
beautiful woman, and good! But even
she had her detractors, and none more
bitter than the man who wronged her.
You-you resemble her! But there,
don't let me detain you. l shall do
very well here. You are busy. | dare
say"
eyes, I should be at rehearsal she
replied regretfully.
AT rehearsal" he repeated. Eyes
yes. But the stage is no place for your
he added suddenly. you should leave
it-leave it,
She looked at him wonderingly. as
there nothing more | can do for youF"
Nothing! Nothing! Except - no,
nothing!"
"You were about to ask something?'
she observed with more sympathy.
IF you would not think me presum-
ing-if you would not deem it an of
fense-you remind me of one l loved
and lost-it is so long ago since l felt
her kiss for the last time-I am so near
the grave
With teas in her eyes she bent her
head and her fresh young lips just
touched his withered brow.
"Goodby," she said. Il am so sorry
for you!"
And she was gone, leaving him sit
ting there motiOnless as though life
had departed.
A rafting cab that clattered noisily
past the cabildo and calaboza and
swung around the square aroused the
marquis. He arose, stopped the driver
and entered the rickety vehicle.
1.-THE law office of Marks & Culver"
said the marquis.
The man dashed his horse, and the
attenuated quadruped flew like a wing
ed Pegasus, soon drawing up before
the attorneys office Fortunately Cul-
yer was i'm, and, although averse to
business on any day-thinking more of
his court yard and his fountain than of
his law boOks-this bOtanist-sOlicitor
made shift to comply with the marquis
instructions and reluctantly earned a
modest fee. He even refused to ex-
press surprise at my lords story. One
wife in London, another in Paris.
Why, many a southern gentleman had
two families-Quadroons being plenti-
full. Why not? Culver unobtrusively
yawned and, with fine courtesy, bowed
the marquis out.
Slowly the latter retraced his steps
to his home. His feet were heavy as
lead; his smile was forced; he glanced
frequently over his shoulder, possessed
by a strange fantasy.
81 think | will lie down a little" he
said to his valet. "In this easy chair;
that will do. l am feeling well; only
tired"
He made an effort to SMILE which
was little more than grimace.
"a cigar, Francois"
"My lord, are you well"
The marquis flew into a rage and the
valet placed an imported weed in his
masters hand.
"a light, Francois
The valet obeyed
He pulled feebly at the cigar.
at is cold here, Francois"
The servant consulted the thermon-
eter.