Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-06-07

HIS tone. TOUT IaIner! l06n lt was"
 Susan Miller lowered her head un- til the sunbonnet hid her face. Mis- understanding her silence and shrink ing, Winslow spoke lightly: That need not prevent your accepting cour- tesy at my hands. I bear no ill-will, 1 assure you"
 Her eyes dilated with scorn, and she seemed woman now, as she faced him proudly: You can talk so calmly about it; you who killed him!"
 Her words cut the air like knife, and his wound pained afresh with the sting of it, Steadying himself with an effort: "I'm afraid don't under stand you" he said. Your father was my assailant in the forest, and you say killed him."
 Her silence gave consent. and he continued, quietly: There is some mistake; I did not kill him."
 She repeated his words slowly, as if learning lesson. You did not kill
 
 than query in her tone, for she believed him already. And then, as belief in him came, another suspicion fastened upon her like a nightmare.
 She listened, stock still, while he told her all he knew, adding: My only weapon was pistol. which could not reach, had I wished to use it. You heard no shot fred?" tE
 She shook her head, and he went on: You must believe me, then. The last sight l recall was the flash of steel in your fathers hand"
 He stood in deep thought for mo- lnent, then: They all think me guilty, suppose?"
 She bowed, but before be could speak hastened to say: You need not be alarmed, sir. None will think the less of you: my poor father had no friends" !"
 There was bitter shame and sorrow in the short sentence, and Winslow's heart stirred with pity. There were many things he wanted to ask-why her father had assaulted him. harm less stranger, how she happened to be present. and other questions which might bring light upon the coil of un- certainty. But he would not further hurt this orphan girl. Tt is no won- der you shrank from a hand you thought stained with your fathers blood, but" and he leaned gently toward her, but you will take it now"
 She laid her soft palm in his with out word. Through her simple mind ran thousand thoughts which her tongue had no power to utter. She saw his generosity, and was grateful for this mama of kindness in her starved life. But only the pressure of her hand revealed her feelings-only the look in her eyes that, like the fawn's of her own wild wood, told much for lack of speech.
 Tt is growing late; do you live far?"
 Wonder at the end of the lane.
 Then let us haste, or see, Charles Vain will be there before us'
 On they went through the sweet scented night; the narrow way seemed hemmed in by tree and bush and creeping ivy that begrudged to man even this tiny path. -. -..a -. Little was said by either. Sues thoughts were busy. She was sad dened by the breeding fear that had oppressed her since first she knew this man was not her fathers murderer. For if not he, who? None other was near except-and an agony tugged at her heart as she realized that Gerald. too. was there! Her lover, who had been threatened, provoked, perhaps beyond endurance. Had his, then, been the murderous knife or arrow (for none had known, nor cared to find out which weapon had ended so worthless a life)?
 Was it, then, her promised husband whose blow had locked her fathers lips while yet curse contorted them?
 Winslow interrupted her quiet rev. erie with laugh. Do you know that I hope soon to be a landowner? 1 am going to take up a thousand arp ents. but have not yet decided upon the location. You see, intend to take plenty of time to fulfill every require ment of these cratic laws. The toma- hawk mode of adjustment is too primi- tive. Time was when primitive and hnf aE- that day is past" .s
 Sue was grieved by the reminiscence which the strangers words conjured. Though in different language they ex- pressed the sams fser that Iehez had been prey to.
 Wiaslo~ was saying: Tt must give quite a feeling of importsnee-this landed proprietorship. Can you Eot imagine that beyond that clump of trees stands lodgs with ancestral halls a; the end of the drive? The park and desr are here. ve only need the family plate and portraits"
 He was trying b rouse her out of this pathetic mood. But though she laughed. her mirth was forced, damp ened not only by the trend of her thoughts. bu; by awe of this stranger. He and Gerald Creighton were the only gentlemen she had ever known. With the one she had no sense of inferiority. For. as by the power of love she was raised to him. 90 in degree. Gerald had sunk to her level. and the difference in station was wiped out. But simple