Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-06-02

knows you expect to meet MT. Gerald tonight and they had some words. but"
 Was anybody hurt?" breathed tho girl, in a frightened whisper.
 But the dark woman reassured her. T took 1t upon myself to per suade him to go home" she said, hum- bly,. T knew you would not want him to risk any more trouble"
 Unheeding the girls deprecatory in- terruption, the octoroon continued; He left word for you to meet him the night of the sixth. There is to be 2 dance in Rogers barn. and MT. Gerald will come here afterwards. Be at the pollard willow at the curve in the road about midnight. I hate to give mes sage telling you to come out at that time of night but he seemed set on It. Excuse me. Miss Sue, but I wish for the day when you and he can meet before the village in the open light
 The young girl winced. Yes, Belle in quality fashion-we may some day. In the meantime" she ended in a passionate whisper that was half sob, T must see him, and this way is better than none."
 The octoroon gave hurried glance toward the tavern. You had better run on home now, Miss Sue; your ia ther might come out any minute. Are you afraid?"
 From behind the horizon the moon threw sickly beams over the tree tops. It lit up the wan faces of the two women--the girls tender and soft, with a pleading prettiness, the other sad and dark, with earnest eyes full of loyal affection. She repeated: Can you go back alone?"
 Sue Miller brushed the straying locks from her forehead with defiant nod. The small, checked shawl that had half slipped from her shoulders she knotted loosely about her head. I'll come as Gerald tells me to, without fail; after the frisk, at the willow by the turning yonder' Yes. I'll remem- ber," and with parting good night she sped down the road that led away from the settlement, to the gloomy cabin on the edge of the common field.
 Within the tavern the argument pro- ceeded. They call me 'Branch-water man. do they? And my gal Branch water Sue?' We'll, let 'em call us what they please and be damned. Elf don't want ter dig a we'll, ain't that my busi- ness? Elf branch waters good enough fer me to drink, 'tain't them as has ter drink it. Shif'less, am I? We'll, it's me. My gal earns Twin fer us both, does she? Well, it's her. ask naught O their cursed set but to be let alone I'll show 'em that branch water man is smart enough ter look arter his kin, spite of any upstart with his danty airs!"
 In this strain he muttered half to himself, half aloud. until the fan of words cooled his rage. In silence he watched the woman as she went quietly about putting the place in order, while the landlord adjusted the bars at the windows. By and by. his suspicious luiled, he, too, shuffled into the dark ness
 The moon had utterly withdrawn her light: the treeAitowered black againAl a purple sky.
 Once in the road, Jabez Miller slunk silly from right to left, peering into the shadows at every turn. Satisfied at last that his daughter was nowhere about. he followed the path she had taken a short while before.
 The branch-water cabin was some distance away from the center of the village. Unsightly and forlorn, it's brown and dingy logs were scarce dis tinguishable in the dark. Thick tam-t aracks clustered about, their spiky branches churlishly outstretched as if to obscure all light and air. Under meath one of these the man paused. Lifting his crooked body on tiptoe, he carefully examined the trunk whercon two cuts with the tomahawk were plainly marked. Two or three others near bore the same sign.
 Mine. mine; this land Is mine." he then walked to where were traces of earth newly turned. These he covered with brush and leaves, all the while chuckllng and talking under his breath. When no sign remained of the hole which had been partly dug and left in evident haste like grave. defrauded. the hunchback went on to the cabin, dragging his tired feet over the uneven path.
 Light shone from the window, and through the chinks in the logs. At the door he paused to listen. H
 ''Is that you. father?" came Sues voice from within, and she lifted the latch in response to his gruff Open the door,"
 He glowered suspiciously around. Been out. hey ye?'' l.
 Sue did not reply. and he turned fercely. Did ye see him to-nights Did ye see the stylish blackguard abi wouldn't stay ter face yer old fathef like a man. but sneaked on to-"
 Don't abuse himi" flashed from hibl lips, then gently going ub to him: Tt is because you are old, father for. much older than him). that Mir. Creighton does not want a fgh;.f
 Slightly mollihed, he reverted to ths former question: Did ye see him to- night. Susanl Answer" {.
 The girl lowered her eyes as she re-