Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-04-06


 Come in,'' said Marjorie sleepily. The nurse entered-a pretty blue-eyed girl in neat cap and apron. There's letter for you, sister, and don't like the look of 16; his temper ature has risen two degrees since one o'clock"
 Marjorie looked at the patient, gave the nurse some directions and returned to rest and her letter. An invitation for an At Home fell out. With 1t was a nasty note:
 Dearest Marjorie-Do make a spe- cial effort to come to this function. Several nice people are coming-among them Paul Burton, the poet, who was % gone on you at Lympstone. He asked after you. the other day, and would like to renew acquaintanceship.
 "Ever yours,
 BEE PAGET."
 For minute her heart beat to suffo- cation. Her memory carried her back to the year before she entered the hos- pital and an episode that only Bee Pa get knew of, and even Bee did not know how deeply it had affected her and treated it merely as joke.
 How long ago it seemed, that sum- mer which she had spent with Bee be- fore her marriage. Mir. Paget was stay ing there, too, and his absorption in Bee threw Marjorie into the society of the only other guest, Paul Burton, the rising poet. Marjorie was young pret- ty and impressionable. and Paul Nor ton did not neglect his opportunity of instructing Marjorie in the lesson of love. and he found her an apt pupil.
 With the refinement of cruelty, Bur- ton made Marjorie understand he was welded to his art. and to art alone. and poor Marjorie's love was such that she thought it noble thing, and loved him all the better for it.
 And for all these years she had re- mained true to her ideal. though Paul had passed out of her life completely. And now there was an invitation from Bee in viting her to meet him.
 How Marjorie lived through the day which intervened she never knew. Her nurses found her trifle hard to work for, and Frank Ashton was severely snubbed more than once, which did not, however, prevent him from knock ing at Marjorie's door on the eventful evening with huge bunch of parma violets.
 She blushed as Frank entered and, murmuring thanks. fastened the vio- lets into the belt of her gown, saying: You are a good boy to remember my favorite flowers"
 "Why. Marjorie" he said. delight fully. you look altogether radiant. What has happened to you?"
 Don't be stupid, Frank; it's useless telling a woman who has been nursing all these years she looks radiant-it's nonsense!"
 "It isn't, Marjorie. I've never seen you look better; and what a jolly frock"
 IT lOOh III ICtth sou. II old lady" he said. as he tucked her into a hanson; for Frank Ashton knew the Pagets also.
 Arrived at the Pagets'. Marjorie made her way up the large staircase. and having greeted Bee. passed on into the crowded room. At the far end, seated on a luxurious divan, was Paul holding a small court When he caught sight of Marjorie he advanced to meet her
 Marjorie" he whispered. "can it be Marjorie? Come with me away from these people. have much to tell you. |"
 Together they strolled into the dim- ly-lighted conservatory. ~Ah, Marjorie" he was beginning to say. when a high-pitched voice was heard, and a stout. plain woman. whose personal appearance bore more evidence of dollars than refinement, stood before them ..
 Paul the woman said T have been looking for you everywhere. as we are due at the duchess in ten min utes-"
 "An right, Clinda- Allow me'-turn-