Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-11-12
II WOULD
 RATHER NOT"


 ter Charlotte were all in all to each
 other. They were only two, there be,
 ing neither mother nor brothers nor
 sisters. All Charlotte knew of her
 mother was what she had been given
 to understand--that she had died dur
 ing Charlotte's infancy. Charlotte had
 often tried to induce her father to talk
 about her mother without success. She naturally inferred that his loss
 was too great to dwell upon. She had
 also asked for a picture of her mother,
 but was told that none was in posses
 sion of the family. \ Colonel Sears was wealthy and not ' only gave his daughter everything she
 needed or desired, but made her the
 medium for what he bestowed in char
 ity. Strangely enough, she took a fan
 cy to establish a home for erring wom-
 cha small affair in which temporary
 shelter and encouragement were given
 to a few who had been unfortunate,
 but who had not yet started on life
 consequent upon their misfortune. Her
 father was away when she conceived this design. and when he returned he tried in vain to dissuade her from it. But she had a strong will and was loath ! to yield Besides, she had gone so far that in case she abandoned her home ,, all that had been invested would be . a dead loss Her father consented, but Charlotte could never persuade him to [ enter the place. Indeed, it seemed to have some strong repulsion for him. One day carriage stopped at the . door of the Sears residence. 4 lady en- { tered the house and asked to see the colonel. He was not at home, and the . maid took the message to Charlotte. ! Charlotte went down into the room { where the lady was waiting. She found a woman with sad face, from 7 which great beauty was fading. She } was richly dressed and in appearance 1 and manner lady. Father is not at hoEle,' said Char lotte. Can do anything for you?'' T told the maid to announce me only to your father She did wrong to go to you. No, you can't be of service to me-
 Charlotte wondered what business the lady might have with her father. but was too well bred to ask The E lady made no move to depart, but sat } looking at the girl, who stood before } her waiting. It seemed to Charlotte t that she had a very kindly face. T fear you are disappointed in not ; 6,,d;,,r nav fo+ho,. If unu will c~iVn me your name, I will tell him as soon {. as he comes in that you have been ! here. and he will call upon you.' How are you getting on with your home?'' asked the lady without notic- ' ing the offer.
 My home? You mean the home for ! girls who have been unfortunate? It \ isn't mine; I only manage it. Father ,. has given all the money for it." ! You mean, I suppose, by unfor- tunates, girls who have sinned without suspecting that they were shining pure ]. in mind and impure under the law. 5 Would you take in one who had trans gressed the law knowingly" < q would rather not" 2 The lady wlnced. d Are yoi very happy?" she asked < presently.
 !. T have nothing to make me unhap- 2 py.'
 Your father is very good to you. < He is good man. Every one agrees with you in that And your mother-was she a good < woman too?'
 ' Charlotte's happy expression at hear [ ing her fathers praises left her. T ! know nothing of my mother" she said. < Nobody seems sufficiently informed of ' her to satisfy my craving for knowl- 2 edge of her. But I'm sure she must d have been good woman" Why
 'Well. father seems to feel her loss $ so keenly. He hasn't the heart to speak d of her.
 < The lady was silent for a time. Her 2 eyes were wandering, lighting occa- v sionally on Charlotte with an expres-
 sion that Charlotte could not fathom. ,. Presently sine said:
 Your mother was a good woman
 You knew herr"
 Well"
 This was the last word the visitor
 spoke. She arose. Charlotte begged
 her to tell her more. but a resOlute ex-
 pression came over the visitors face,
 and she went out without looking back.
 Who shall I say calledE' asked
 Charlotte. But there was no response.
 The lady got into her carriage. and as Charlotte listened to the sound of
 retreating wheels she felt that her longing for more information on the
 subject nearest her heart would never
 be gratifed.
 e Later Colonel Sears called at the y home of the woman who had visited
 him.
 |, You were at the house yesterday. '' n he said.
 n n "Yes. I had an important announce n ment which I intended to make to your Ir daughter. explaining all to her. but iF could not do it."
 D What announcement" D The man the law called ny hus. G band has died in the asylum. where D be had existed for a quarter of cen p tury. went 10 you to claim you P openly and tell Charlotte that here P after we might live together a happy b. trio. dared not break in upon hei e innocence. Her impressions must re