Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-08-12

Norway laughed. I didn't like the sound of his laugh.
 "Your reader is versatile, MT. Lati- mer," he said.
 "Yes." Latimer smoothed the soft silk rug that lay over him. Poverty and that sort of versatility are often bedfellows. eh? Tell me, MT. Mori- way, these lost diamonds are yours?"
 "No. They belong to a-a friend of mine, Mrs. Kingdom"
 "Oh! the old lady who was married this afternoon to young fortune hunter!" I couldn't resist it.
 Norway jumped out of his seat.
 "She was not married" he stuttered. "She-'
 Changed her mind? How sensible of her. Did she find out what a crook the fellow was? What was his name Morrison? No-Middleway-I have heard it."
 May I ask, Miss Omar"-I didn't have to see his face; his voice told how mad with rage he was-"how you come to be acquainted with matter that only the contracting parties could possibly know of?"
 "Why. they can't have kept 1t very secret, the old lady and the young rascal who was after her money, for you see we both knew of it; and I wasn't the bride and you certainly weren't the groom, were you?'
 An exclamation burst from him.
 "Mr. Latimer," he stormed, may see you a moment alone?"
 Phew! That meant me. But I got up just the same.
 "Just keep your seat, Miss Omar" Oh, that silken voice of Latimer's! "Mr Moriway, have absolutely no acquaintance with you. l never saw you till tonight. can't imagine what you may have to say to me, that my secretary-Miss Omar acts in that ca- pacity-may not hear"
 "I want to say" burst from Mori- way, 'that she looks the image of the boy Nat, who stole Mrs. Kingdoms diamonds, that the voice is exactly the same, that"
 But you have said it. MT. Norway quite successfully intimated it, I assure you"
 "She knows of my-of Mrs. King don's marriage, that that boy Nat found out about"
 And you yourself also, as Miss Omar mentioned"
 Myself? Damn it, I'm Norway, the man she was going to marry. Why shouldn't r."
 "Ah-h!" Latimers shoulders shook with gentle laugh. Well, MT. Mori- way, gentlemen don't swear in my gar den. Particularly when ladies are present Shall we say good evening? Here comes Mulhill now Nothing, sergeant? Too bad the rogue escaped, but you'll catch him. They may get away from you, but they never stay long, do they? Good evening-good evening, MT. Moriway."
 They tramped on and out, Moriway's very back showing his rage. He whis- pered something to the sergeant, who turned to look at me, but shook his head, and the gate changed after them.
 A long sigh escaped me.
 Warm, isn't it?" Latimer leaned forward. "Now, would you mind ring ling again, Miss Omar?"
 bent and groped for the bell and rang it twice.
 How quick you are to learn!" he said But l really wanted the light this time. Just light up, Burnett" he called to the man, who had come out on the porch.
 The electric bulb flashed out again just over my head. Latimer turned and looked at me. When I couldn' t bear it any longer, looked defiantly up at him.
 Pardon he said, smiling; nice teeth he has and clear eyes. "1 was just looking for that boyish resem- blance Mir. Norway spoke of. I, hold to my first opihion--you're very femi- nine, Miss Omar Will you read to me now, if you please?" He pointed to a big open book on the table beside his couch.
 "I think-if you don't mind, MT. 1 Latimer, I'll begin the reading to- morrow" got up to go. I was through with that garden now. But do mind!" Sfken voice? Not a bit of it! turned on him so furious thought I didn't care what came of it-when over by the great gate-post I saw a man crouching-Moriway.
 sat down again and pulled the book farther toward the light. We didn't learn much poetry at the Cruelty. did we. Mag? But T. know some now. just the same. When be- gan to read I heard only one word -Moriway-Moriway But must have forgotten him after time. and the dark garden with the light 1 on only one spot. and the roses smell ing and Latimer lying perfectly still. his face turned toward me. for I was ' reading-listen. | bet I can remember that part of it if say it slow | Oh. Thou. who Man of baser Earth dids' make.
 And ev,n with Paradise devise the Snake; For all the Sin vherewith the Face of | Man
 ! Is blacken'd-Man's forgiveness give-ano ! take,
 when all at once Mir. Latimer put { his hand on the book. looked up with a start. The shadow by the ' gate was gone.
 ' Ton rising Moon that looks for us again How oft hereafter will she wax and vane