Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-02-09
CHAPTER XXvI.
THE CASTLE OF ROMANCE.

How silent the forest was, The i brook no longer murmured, the rustic of the leaves was without sound, A spar of sunshine, Altering through the ragged limbs of the trees, fell aslant her, and she stood in an aureola. As for my hero species of paralysis had stricken him motionless and dumb. It was all so unexpected, all so sud- den, that he had the sensation of be- ing whirled away from reality and bundled unceremoniously into the un- real. She knew, and had known! A leaf brushed his face. but he was senseless to the touch of it. All he had the power to do was to stare at her. A She knew. and had known!
 Dick stepped into the brook and be- gan to paw the water. and the inter- mission of speech and action came to m end
 '. "You-and you knew" What a strange sound his voice had in his own earsi "Yes. From the very beginning I knew you to be a gentleman in mas luuerade: that is to say, when I saw you in the police court. The absence of the beard confused me at first, but presently I recognized the gentleman whom I had noticed on board the ship" So she had noticed him!
 That night you believed me to be your sister Nancy. But did not know this till lately. And the night visited her she exhibited some photographs. Among them was a portrait of you without a beard"
 Warburton started. And the thought that this might be the case had never trickled through his thick skull. How she must have laughed at him secretly! She continued: Even then was not sure But when Col Raleigh de- clared that you resembled a former lieutenant of his, then I knew" She ceased. She turned to her horse as if to gather the courage to go on; but Jane had her nose hidden in the stream, and was oblivious of her mis- tress' need JaEfagt
 He waited duly for her to resume, for he supposed that she had not yet done.
 q have humiliated you in hundred ways. and for this I want you to for give me. I sent the butler away for he very purpose of making you serve In his stead But you were so good about it all, with never murmur of rebellion, that I grew ashamed of my f, hn P,,f syes closed and her body swayed: but she clenched her hands, and the faint ness passed away. "But for you. my poor father would have been dishon- pred and I should have been forced into the arms of man whom despise. Whenever I have humiliated you, you have returned the gift of kind deed. You will forgive me-"
 Forgive you! There is nothing for me to forgive on my side. much on yours It is you who should forgive me What you have done have de- served" His tongue was thick and dry. How much did she know?
 No. not wholly deserved it." She fumbled with the buttons of her waist her eyes were so full that she could not see. She produced an oblong slip of paper.
 When he saw it a breath as of ice enveloped him. The thing she held put toward him was the cancelled note. For a while he did me the honor to believe that had betrayed him.
 T understand the kind and generous Impulse which prompted this deed. Oh. admire it. and say to you, God bless youi But don't you see how impos- sible it is? It can not be; no. no! My father and are proud What we owe we shall pay. Poverty. to be ac- cepted without plaint. must be with out debts of gratitude But it was noble and great of you; and I knew that you intended 10 run away without ever letting any one know"
 "who told you?"
 "Eo one. guessed It."
 And he might have denied all knowl' edge of it!
 Wont you-won't you let 1t be a' if is7 have never done anything worth while before. and this has made me happy. Won't you let me do this Only you need know I am going away on Monday. and 1t will be years be fore I see Washington again. No on. need ever know"
 Tt Is impossible!"
 why"
 She looked away Tn her minds ey' she corld see this man leading troop through a snow-storm. How the wind roared, How the snow vhirlet and eSdied about them. or suddenly blotted them from sight, But on and on. resoluteIy. courageOusly. hopeful Iv he led them on to safety. He was speaking. and the picture dis solved.
 Wont you let it remain just s' it isg" be pleaded
 Her head moved negatively. and onos more she extended The note. He tool it and slowly tore # into shreds- With 1t he was tearing up ihs dream and enssinz ft down the winds
 -The noney will hn placed 10 yOur credit at the bank on Monday We car not a-ceps surh gift from any one You uould not. tu0E- RBt slwsv' shall treasure ths impulse It UiI give me co-rsre in the fu,ure-whsz an fighting alone
 What are yol going 10 doZ
 T- am zoing to appear befors shs p1hIic. .-uith assumed lightneSs; "f and my violin