Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-08-30

to you. But if you like I'll speak,
 though 1t may mean our parting for ever"
 Paul." she laid firm, small hand on his arm, mot all the fathers in tho world will keep me from you. Often have intended to tell all, but my ia ther is so strange. Sometimes he goes whole days without speaking to me. and at times he speaks harshly, though I do nothing to deserve rebuke. I am
 afraid Of my father" said the girl, l with a shiver. T said so before, and | I say so again. He is strange man, | and don't understand him at ali I
 wish could marry you and go away
 altogether"
 Well, let us marry if you like.
 though we will be poor" No" said Sylvia sorrowfully. Aft
 CT all, strange and harsh though my father is, he is still my father, and at times he Is kind. must stay with him
 to the end"
 What end?"
 Sylvia shook her head still more sor.
 rowfully. 'swho knows? Paul, my father is afraid of dying suddenly" By violencew asked Beecot, think ing of Deborah's talk. q can't say. But every day after he goes to church and prays all
 alone. Deborah told me, as often she
 has seen him leave the church. Then
 he is afraid of every stranger who enters the shop. l dCn't understand it." cried the girl pdssionately. T don't like 1t. I wish you would marry me and take me away, Paul; but, oh, how selfish amy' My own, wish could. But the
 money"
 "Oh, never mind the money. must
 get away from that house. If 1t was
 not for Deborah would be still more
 afraid. I often think my father is
 mad. But there,' Sylvia rose and
 shook out her skirts. T have no right
 to talk so and only do so to you
 that you may know what I feel. I'll speak to my father myself and say we are engaged. If he forbids our mar
 riage shall run away with you, Paul. said poor Sylvia, the tears in her eyes.
 Paul was so enchanted with this speech that he would have def1ed pub lie opinion by embracing her there and then, but Sylvia walked away rapidly down Gwynne street and shook her head with pursed up mouth when Paul took few steps after her. Rec ognizing that 1t would be wise not 10 follow her to the shop lest the sus- picious old man should be looking out, Beecot went on his homeward way.
 When he drew near his Bloomsbury garret he met Grexon Hay, who was sauntering along swinging his cane. T was just looking for you" he said, greeting Paul in his usual self con tained manner; 1t worries me. to think you are so hard up, though I'm not fellow given to sentiment as rule. Let me lend you a fiver."
 Paul shook his head. Thank you all the same.'
 Well, then. sell me the brooch"
 Beecot suddenly looked squarely at Hay, who met his gaze calmly. Do you know anything of that brooch?" he asked.
 What do you mean? It is a brooch of Indian workmanship; that is All I know. want to give lady a pres ent, and if you will sell 1t to me I'll take it. to help you, thus killing two birds at one shot"
 T don't want to sell it." said Paul, looking round. His eyes fell on a re- spectacle man across the road who ap- peared to be workman. as he had bag of tools on his shoulder. He was looking into shop window, but also as Paul suddenly thought-seemed to be observing him and Hay. However, the incident was not worth noticing so he continued hls speech to Grexon. 'I tried to pawn it with Aaron Nor man," he said.
 "well, what did you get on it?' ask ed Hay, with yawn.
 "Nothlng. The old man tainted when showed him the brooch. That Is why I asked you If you know anything strange about the article"
 Hay shook his head. but looked curl ously at Beecot. Do you know any, thing yourself7" he asked. You seem to have something on your mind about that brooch"
 There is something queer about It." said Paul. Why should Aaron Nor man faint when he saw itY'
 Hay yawned again. You had better ask your one eyed friend. I think you said he was one eyed"
 'He is. and frightened sort of | man. But there's nothing about that I opal serpent to make him faint"
 Perhaps be did so because 1t is in | the shape of a serpent" suggested Grexon, "a constitutional failing per haps. Some people hate cats and others huttering birds. Your one eyed friend . may have a loathIng of snakes and i can't bear to see the representation of [ one"
 Tt might be that" said Beecot, after a pause. "Aaron Is a strange sort of [ chap. A man with a past. I should say"
 You make me curious" said Grexon. laughing in bored manner. "I think Pll go to the shop myself and have q look ct him. Good day"
 The more Paul thought of the episode of the brooch the stranger 1t seemed. md sylvia's talk of her fathers queer habits did not make Paul wonder the ess. However. he resolved to write to