Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-05-20

warmth and light, and hear the rain
beating about the glass. That interested
and radiant face confronting him would
have inspired a less fascinating recon
teur than Hildreth Marlowe to please
such Desdemona He talked much.
But he also talked we'll For, being coll
lege bred, and a man of keen observa-
ton, he had brought back, with him
treasures of picturesque truth that 9TH
ers had underestimate, or passed I'M
noticed
She admired his rugged physique, his
strong, bronZedi features, his look of
power-of thinking for himself, and Of
acting for himself And he mentally
approved the aesthetic beauty of the
woman, the luster of her hair, the deli
cate sweep of chin and throat, the f1ut-
ter and grace of the little ringed, white
hands.
Indeed an hour whisked away at a
most astonishing rate of speed.
1T is almost time for Frank" he be-
gan, when distant cry startled him. 1t
was the voice of child he fancied.
Frank had said he had no children.
Marlowe sent an inquiring glance to-
ward his vis-a-vis.
you will excuse me few minutes!"
she begged, and passed to the door. He
heard the rustic of her gown as she went
upstairs. The sound of the crying
ceased. When shereentered the room she
sat down at little French desk and
wrote few lines, She touched the but
ton in the wall, and to the servant who
appeared, gave the note, with low word
of instruction.
when Mr.. Rogers comes" she said,
gayly, as she sank again in her own
seat, eve will have a little late sup
per Men always enjoy meals at un-
earthly hours!" she laughed
Mrs. Rogers" Marlowe said, earnest
ly, leaning towards her, "I'm going to
contide in you. VIII you permit me to
be personal-and perhaps egotistic?"
II shall be charmed!' she avowed.
well, I'm no fatalist. l believe that
man makes himself and creates his for
tune, good or evil The old Persian who
wrote about ones Heaven or hell being
in ones self alone had the right idea.
made up my mind years ago that I'd go
through college. and did-worked my
way through. Then | went west, pre-
pared to undergo all imaginable tests Of
endurance and endeavor until ! had
amassed fortune. I've done that, too
but it's been pull. Now. I'm back"
And now--what is your next ambi-
tion?" she questioned smiling.
There are two. !" he answered, prompt
ly. lone includes the other. want a
wife and home"
He was so direct and simple in his
statement, so like great, unsophisti-
Gated boy, for all his experience and
travel, that she nodded sympathetically.
"You-dont think I'm impertinent!"
he begged, "but-have you a sister,
Mrs. Rogers?"
"Yes-the dearest sister," The dim
pies were in evidence again.
You have? Does she resemble you"
He was intensely in earnest. "Will you
introduce me to herr"
with pleasure!' He misunderstood
the mocking light in those laughing eyes,
and was about to thank her, when she
put out pretty, protesting hand. I'm
so sure you would admire Ellen's chill
dren," she said. "They are darlings!'
"Oh!" he calculated, blankly. She
is married, then?Y'
Eyes I've just been up with The little
lad He had bad dream. Just now his
mother is indisposed, or she would come
down to meet you" They heard the hall
door open-a tread in the hall.
There" rising hastily, there is Mr..
Rogers now!" she said.
c4a-.. hoa4oo o,d VOL Foon5 Uro~,1x
Rogers came busting in. He looked
from one to the other of the occupants of
the library, and began to laugh. He
shook, his broad shoulders heaving. his
countenance convulsed with mfrth. And,
the lady before the hearth laughed. too
"a low, long peal that broke on the air
like silvery spray.
Marlowe stood petrified with aston
ishment 1t was his hostess who took
pity on his bewilderment.
"NIr. Rogers lives next door. she ex-
planned. These two houses were built
for sisters, originally, and the locks
could be opened by either sent word
to Mr.. Rogers thatyou were here, and
The jolly short man stopped laughing
long enough to make proper introduce
tions.
"This is Mrs. Vanreith's home into
which you've blundered old boy y he de-
clared. "She is i'll. and her sister is stay
ing with her ALLOW me to introduce you.
Hildreth. to Miss Elaine Sherwood"
The man from the west bowed per-
functorily Miss-Elaine Sherwood!
Good! But you seemed to know mel"
he blurted out. You said MIR. Rogers
was expecting"
"He was!" She beamed, and the dim
pies came back. He told me when met
him in the train yesterday that the old
friend of whom he was always raving
was coming to visit him."
''But why did you not"
'Undeceive you? Not for worlds!
What! Have Mr.. Rogers miss all the fun
of witnessing your discontinue? How
very unneighborly you must imagine
nai''