Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-06-02

"a S7
 cHUcKLING AND TALKING UNDER
 HIS BREATH.
 idle curiosity, followed at a safe dis. tance, in time to hear the rest of the conversation.
 You will see her tonight, and ex- plain my absence?" Gerald asked, and the woman promised.
 And tell her." he continued, "that will meet her the night of the merry making in Rogers barn. I'll slip of from the dance and join her here about midnight-by the pollard window at the curve in the road. Tell her not to fail! The night of the sixth. I will come surely. Remember, you are my friend. Belle. and hers"
 And Miss Lavender's." the octo- room added. "She might not want me to help in this affair, but it is better than open war with that poor old ia ther, and so-well, I'll do what can"
 Gerald bade her hurried goodnight, and rushed of.
 She watched him as he made his way to the sandy beach. There was a scraping of keel, and the measured plash of oars; then, with sigh of relief, the woman turned and reentered the tavern.
 In the darkness the listener stood alone, pondering upon what he had heard Tonight Senor Gonzaga's mind was bent upon one hope, and how to accomplish it. To his temperament passion was all.absorbing. It was his boast that love for any woman was. while it listed, the one thing worth living for. And now this habit of amorous trifiing had grown to an un- alterable purpose-to win and keep its object. Everything, therefore, ap- pealed to him, only as it might affect that purpose. Thus, when he over heard Gerald arrange midnight meet. Ing with a woman, wild thoughts surged through his brain. What use could he make of this intelligence to aid his cause with Lavender? He might bring her heret to witness the meet ing. but no. he would gain nothing but Gerald's ill-will.
 Should he try to make her jealous by pretending that he himself was to meet this Susan? This idea, too, he rejected. For 1t was his wish. rather, to convince her of his devotion, and he would like some opportunity to place his own suit in favorable con trast to that of Winslow, who, to the hot-headed Spaniard. seemed a tardy wooer.
 Yet in this same laggard his lady had implicit faith; what if he could shake it? How if he might so ar. range 1t that Winslow would appear as the lover of this rustic maid? He would like to make use of this mid night meeting to cast a stain upon his rival in the eyes of the girl they both loved. But Winslow was not here-could he bring him here? The idea. once rooted in his mind. grew to a settled scheme. as, breeding on it, he slowly paced the weedy, sand-beaten shore.
 Within the public house the brawlers were assembled-some at tables. oh CTS leaning against the board on rp- right posts which served as bar. Be- hind this. with much elatter of mugs and bottles. stood the man from New 0rleans-once the wealthy planter. now the keeper of this little tavern in the wilderness.
 At a signal from the octoroon, the landlord began to clear the room of loungers dismissing some peremp- torily. cajoling others. until few re- mained.
 Among the last was . man past middle life, with a face so marked by drink and evil passions that there was little reminder of features that had once been handsome. The mis- shapen body vas too small for the head. which barely reached above the level of the table. Before him stood e glass of spirits which he drained noisily. The landlord removed the empty glass. ignoring his demand to "hll 'er up again"
 Time all honest folks were absd. Jabez." he urged. Its after mid night"
 The mans companions shufied out. but he remained obstinafely. Here sit: SO on to bed. ef ye vast to: I'm vaitin' fer comp'ny home and he gave hosrse. sardonic laugh
 While ret her master argued with him. the voman's quick ear caught the sound of footsteps on the ground out side. She stole to the door, closing it quietly.
 There. in the dense shadow, straight and slim ss the sapIing against which she leaned. stood a girl. vho neither moved TOT spoke until the others ncf- fed call: Miss Miller. is that yozr'