Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-05-23
CHAPTER XVIII.

CHAPTER XVIII.
 H\OR month the young man lay
 burning with fever, his brain
 boiled in hot blood until things
 hideous and terrible were swarming out of 1t, as if 1t were being baned of dragons. Two months had passed before he was able to leave bis bed. He remembered only the glowofan Indian summer morning on wood and, field. but when he rose they were all white with snow.
 q must go,' said he.
 Not yet, my boy" said Mary Allen. You are not strong enough"
 "Darrel has taken my trouble on him, and must go."
 T have heard you say it often since you fell on the doorstep" !" said she. srok- ing his hand. There is a letter from him." and she brought the letter and put it In his hands. Trove opened 1t eagerly and read as follows:
 Dear sidney-It Is Sunday night, and aii day have been walking in the Blessed Isles. And one was the Blessed Isle of remembrance where met theo and we talked of all good things. If knew 1t were well with thee should be quite happy. boy. quite happy. I was bit weary of travel, and all the roads had grown long. miss the tick of the clocks. but my work is easy. and I have excellent good friends. I send thee my key. Please deliver the red. tall clock to Betsy Hale. who lives on the road to Waterbury hill. and kindly take that cheerful youngster from Connecticut-the one with the wall nut case and brass pendulum-to Mrs. Henry Watson. You remember that III tempered Dutch thing with loud gong and white dial. Please take that to Harry Warner. I put soms work on them all. but there's no charge The other clocks belong to mo. Do with them as thou wilt and with all that is mine. The rent Is paid to April. Then kindly surren- der the key. Now. can ye do all this for a man suffering the just punishment of many sins? l ask 1t for old friendship and to increase the charity I saw STOW. ing in thy heart long ago. At last have word of thy father. He died . peaceful. happy death. having restored tho wealth that cursed him to It's owner. For his sake an thine I am glad to know t. Now bekwHans thee and the dear Polly there is no shadow. Tell her everything. May the good God bless and keep theA but the long road of happiness. that ys must seek and find. Yours truly.
 R. DARRELL of the Blessed Isles.
 Trove read the letter many times, and as he grew strong he began to think with clearness and deliberation of his last night in Hillsborough. Dar- rel was the greatest problem oe all Pondering, he saw, or thought he saw, the bottom of 1t. Events were coming, however, that robbed him utterly of his conceit and all the hope 1t save him. The sad lines about his father kept him ever in some doubt A week more, and he was in the cutter one morning behind Phyllis on his way to Robins Inn. As he drew up at the old. familiar gate the boys ran out to meet him. Somehow they were not the same boys; they were . bit more sober and timid. Funk came with . "Glad to see ye, mister" and took the mara Inc widow stood in the doorway. sminng sadly. ,c.as.
 How is Polly?" said Trove
 For a moment there was no answsn He walked slowly to the steps, knsw. ing well that some new blow was about to fall upon him.
 "She is better. but has bean vay sick" said the widow.
 Trove sat down without speaking and threw his coat open.
 You. too. have been very: sick" said Mrs. Vaughn
 "Yes. very" said hs.
 T heard of 1t and went to your home one day. but you didn't know ne"
 "Tell me, where is Pollyr'
 'Tn school. and I am much vurisd.s
 "whyw
 "well. she's pretty. and the ysung men will not let her alone Thers's one determined she shall nary him."
 'Ts she enReedT
 "No. but-but. sir, fhfnk shs is nearly heartbroksn."
 I'm sony." said Trova 'Szct tAst she may choose another. but cAat shs lost faith in me"
 Poor child! Long ago shs thousht you had ceased to love her." said ths widow. her veice trembling.
 T loved her as I can never lovs apin." said he his elbow resting a . table. his head leaning on his hanh He spoke calmly.
 Don't let 1t kill you. boy.- said ahs.
 "No.- he answered. "A man must bs greater than his trouble. I havs vors to do. and shall not give up. May % and see Pollyr
 Not now" said the widow. -osvs her time to fnd her own vay. If you deserve her love it win return to yoa--
 T fear that you. too. have iost faisA h me- said Trsve.
 (To be Continued,