Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-06-08

tied back into his seat thinking as clearly as his condition would allow. And both men were silent now until the cab stopped. The door was Jerked open, and Cagle made the way for the young man to get out. A hall night glcamed down from the top of flight of steps that led up from the street. You're all right, believe" declared the youth, reaching for Cagle's hand. "When can see you again?' At the Gilded Ball tomorrow night" The boy made his way up the steps and began trying to insert key in the night latch. But before he had sue ceeded the door was drawn open froIh the inside, and for few seconds Ca gle was permitted to gaze upon the face of beautiful woman, but 1t was a middle aged and saddened face. The door closed, and the name plate was but dimly discernible-"Mrs. Margaret Brewster"
 Cagle was waiting at the entrance to the Gilded Ball and scanning the faces of those who entered. When Brewster arrived, Cagle greeted him quietly; then he led the way inside After somo intricate windings the two men seated themselves at a table, among num- Der of others in brilliantly lighted room At table not far away were seated two men and woman, all in evening dress, and the woman was strikingly handsome. They were drink ing champagne and playing poker.
 Cagle leaned forward and spoke to Brewster in low tone.
 twill you drink tonighti' he asked.
 q think not"
 "PlayT
 "No." ./
 Suppose she were your sister or mother?'
 DO you want me to murder youT' Brewster's hand clinched fiercely.
 "She is some ones daughter, and each of her companions is some one's son." Cagle's tone was quiet.
 "Ughw exclaimed Brewster, turning from the scene.
 But a gleam of satisfaction shot from the older mans eyes.
 Lets go somewhere decent" sug- gested Brewster, arising. "pm nervous from last nights experience. And, say, you rub me the wrong way, somehow, yet like you. There is something about you, but can't explain it. Come on"
 Cagle followed, and they entered a cab in the street. The drive was a long one. Cagle had given directions, and when the men alighted they were standing before an obscure entrance to H. cemetery.
 q want to show you a strange in- scription." Cagle drew key from his pocket and turned toward a narrow gate in the wall. Brewster hesitated a moment.
 "This is a peculiar hour at which to come here." he said.
 'I hope you do not fear mer
 Not in the least" s... ...
 Cagle opened the gate, and the two made their way among the intricate windlngs of the walkways to tomb covered by plain slab.
 Here Cagle struck match, for the moonlight was not sufficient, and Brewster read:
 "The body that lies here was the habitation of great soul. It held a brain capable of stupendous employ. ments. But 1t yielded to vicious ap- petites. What should have been kept as a sanctum became tho receptacle of alcohol The brain that might have planned cities fell to the service of the gambler, and the hand that might have built nobly, an assassin, liberated this soul"
 The match had burned out, and the dim shadows of surrounding foliage fell back to their places on the tomb Brewster gazed for a moment upon the slab now splotched with the shade of ivy leaves, then turned away.
 He was q good boy" fell from the lips of Cagle in a meditative tone, fol lowing the younger man toward the gate.
 Where will you allghtT -
 The return drive had been made ir silence. and Brewster had laid his hand upon his companion's shoulder. T am going home." he added.
 The cab had stopped where the lighl of the Gilded Ball fell into the street.
 "Won't you come in and have some. thingi" asked the older man as he got out.
 Not tonight" And Brewster shrug. ged his shoulders.
 Like an ogre nursing a victim for sacrifice, Cagle kept watch for Brews. ter and took him in tow on every occa. sion. He steered him past every temp tation by bringing to his view object lessons in the results of vice and dIssL patton.
 One day he insisted that Brewster shor'd visit Wards Island with him to see a friend. They entered a ward in the asylum there where wrecks of al- cohol found safe keeping.
 "Your friend has been going through one of his tantrums." remarked an at. tendant as be led the way to a padded cell.
 In a few moments Brewster was gsz. ing upon a thing that once had been the perfect form of a human being and the tenement of an intelligent soul "You say he was a friend of yours77. They had turned away from the door,