Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-10-20

consideration. As you know, I hardly considered yours I hope have not Overdrawn that reserve"
 He had crossed the room as he spoke to open the door for her. His fingers were on the handle, but he did notsturn 1t, awaiting her answer. She did not look at him. but passed him toward the shaded lamp, with that desire to fix her attention upon some inanimate object which he knew of old.
 ''The reserve" she answered, twill stand more than that. It has accumu- lated, with compound interest. But I deny the debt of which you spoke just now. There is no debt. have paid 1t, year by year, day by day. For each one of those fifty years of unhappiness l have paid year of regret"
 He opened the door and passed out into the brilliantly lighted passage and down the stairs, where the servants {. were waiting to open the door and help her to her carriage.
 Sir John did not go downstairs with her.
 Later on he dined in his usual soli- tary grandeur. He was as carefully dressed as ever. The discipline of his household, like the discipline under which he held himself, was unrelaxed.
 What wine is this," he asked, when he had tasted the port.
 ''Yellow seal, sir," replied the butler confidently.
 Sir John slipped again.
 ''It is new bin," he said.
 ''Yes, sir. First bottle of the lower bin, sir"
 . Sir John nodded with an air of self satisfaction. He was pleased to have proved to himself and to the damned butler" who had caught him mapping in the library, that he was still a young man in himself, with senses and taste unimpaired. But his hand was at the small of his back as he returned to the library.
 He was not at all sure about Jack; did not know whether to expect him or not. Jack did not always do what one might have expected him to do under given circumstances. And Sir John rather liked him for it. Perhaps 1t was that small taint of heredlty which was in blood, and makes it thicker than water.
 Nothing like blood, sir" he was in the habit of saying. ''in horses, dogs and men," And thereafter he usually threw back his shoulders.
 The good blood that ran in his veins was astlr tonight. The incidents of the day had aroused him from the peace fulness that lies under weight of years i've have to lift the years one by one and lay them aside before we find it), and Sir John Meredith would have sat very upright ia his chair were it not for that carping pain in his back.
 He waited for an hour with his eyes almost continually on the clock. but Jack never came. Then he rang the bell.
 Coffee" he said. T like punctuai- ity, if you please"
 Thought Mir. Meredith might be ex- pected, sir" murmured the butler humbly.
 Sir John was reading the evening paper, or appearing to read 1t although he had not his glasses.
 "Oblige me by refraining from thought he said urbanely.
 So the coffee was brought, and Sir John consumed it in silent majesty. While he was pouring out his second cup-of a diminutive size = the bell rang He set down the silver coffee pot with a plebeian chatter, as if his nerves were not quite so good as they used to be.
 Ie was not Jack, but a note from hiN.
 My Dear Father-Circumstances have necessitated the breaking off of my en- gagement at the last m1nent Tomor- rows ceremony will not take place. As the above named circumstances were partly under your control, I need hardly offer an explanation. I leave town and probably England tonight. I am. your affectionate son. JOHN MEREDITH.
 There were no signs of haste or dis composure. The letter was neatly written in the somewhat large calig- raphy, firm, bold. ornate. which Sir John had insisted on Jacks learning The stationery bore q club crest. It was an eminently gentlemanly com munication. Sir John read it and gravely tore 1t up. throwing it into r...+ h.., ,.-ar.rhaI h..r-
 Nothing was further from his mind l than sentiment. He was not much ! given to sentiment. this hard hearted 1 old sire of an ancient stock. He never | thought of the apocryphai day when he. being laid in his grave. should at | last win the gratitude of his son.
 "When I aEl dead and gone you may I be sorry for it." were not the words | that any man should hear from his Ups.
 More than once during their lives Lady Cant1urne had said:
 You never change you mind. John" referring to one thing or another. And he had invariably answered:
 -Nc. I am not the sort of man to change
 9e had always known his own mind. . When he had been In a position 10 rule he had done so with a rod of I eo1- His purpose had ever been i1- flexible. Jack had beea the only per son who had ever openly opposed hls desire. In this. as In other matters. his i1sfornI.ab,e EIil had carrie.f the