Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-02-27

soft with gentleness for her.
 How can thank you-what can I do or say to repay you?" She knew what it must have cost the man to clear his rivals name.
 Tt was your doing, Miss Allis; it ia I who must thank you. You made a man of me. brought more good into nay life than had been there for 40 years. l will be honest. In my love for you was tempted to conceal the discovery had made; knew that if cleared Mortimer you were lost to me. struggled with temptation and fell asleep still not conQuering 1t. In my sleep I dreamed-I don't think it was a dream-it was like vision--you came to me, and when I said that Nor timer was innocent, you kissed me on the forehead. woke then, and the struggle had ceased--the temptation had passed"
 Would you like it--would you think it wrong-it seems so little for me to do-may I kiss you now. as did in your dream, and thank you from the bottom of my heart for making me so happy?"
 For answer Crane inclined his head, and Allis. putting her hand upon his shoulder, kissed him on the forehead
 That's Mortimer coming" Crane said, suddenly. as a step sounded coming up the stairs. T sent for him." he added. seeing the look of happy confusion in Allis' face. i,
 Come in." he called cheerily. in am swer to a knock on the door.
 You gent for me" Then Mortimer stopped suddenly, and stood staring first at Allis, then at Crane.
 Crane turned his back upon the younger man and busted himself won- drously over the manipulation of chair. A strange dread crept into Mortimer's heart; it synothered him; he felt dizzy. Why did AIlis look so happy? Why were there smiles on her lips when she must know there were ashes of gloom in his soul? Why was she alone with Cranef
 Good afternoon. Miss" the words stuck in Mortimer's throat
 The girl laughed outright; how droll it was to see a man trying to make himself unhappy when there was noth- ing but happiness in the world.
 Her laugh twirled Crane about like top. He saw the odd situation. Crane had big cloud of his own not quite driven from his sky, but a smile still lowered on his thin lips. This happi- ness was worth catching.
 Mortimer noticed the distasteful mirth reflected in the other mans face, and he repeated with asperity, You sent for me, sir-may ask"
 twill you take chair?" said Crane, and he pushed the one he had been toying with toward Mortimer. The lat ter remained standing.
 Allis sprang forward and caught him by the arm-Crane turned away, sud- denly discovering that from the win- dow the main street of Brookfield was a most absorbing study.
 'I'm so happy" began Allis Morti- mer shivered with apprehension. Why had Crane turned his face away-what was coming? How could Is she De happy, Es happy?, But evidently she was. She stole quick look at Crane-to be ex- act,. Cranes back, for his head and shoulders were through the window.
 Then the girl--she had raised on her tiptoes-kissed the sad man on the cheek. I'm ashamed to say that he stared. Were they all mad-was he not standing wi.A one foot in the pen itentiary?
 She drew him toward the chair, calling to Crane: twill you please tell MT. Mortimer the good news. I am too happy;2 can't" aa4
 A fierce anger surged in Mortimer's heart; 1t was true. then-his disgrace had been too much for Allis The other had won; but 1t was too cruel to kiss him.
 Crane faced about, and coming for ward, held out his hand to the man of distrust. "I hope you'll forgive me-"
 Mortimer sprang to his feet, showing back his chair violently, and stood erect, drawn to his full height, his right hand clenched f1ercely at his side. Shake hands? No, a thousand times mol" he muttered to himself.
 Crane saw the action, and his own hand dropped. Perhaps I ask too much," he said, quietly; Il Wronged you"
 Mortimer set his teeth and waited. There were great beads of precipitation on his forehead. and his broad chest set his breath whistling through con- tracted nostrils.
 .'But believed you guilty" Morti- mer started as Crane said this "now I know that you are innocent, ask"
 Mortimer staggered back a step and caught at the chair to steady himself He repeated mechanically the others words: You know I am innocent"
 t@Yes, I've found the guilty man."
 "Then Alan-oh, the poor lad! It's 8 mistake-you are wrong. The boy didn't take the money-I took it.''
 Crane looked at him in admiration.
 Nonsense. my dear sir!" he ex- claimed, dryly; Allan did not take the did you. Cass took it"
 "Cass took it?" asked Mortimer in . dazed way.
 "Yes: he has confessed" He went on speaking hurriedly: "I ask you to foroiva yoa Dow for nv suSpjctona