Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-09-22

I know that as well us | do Besides. was going to take 1t up myself. and ,, you would never have been the wiser. He promised to hold 1t It's low trick for him to round on me like this. I'll pay him of for 1t some time. 1 don't see that it's anybody else's busi- ness but ours anyway" he continued. with a surly glance at Harry.
 Harry had been staring at him. but with a vision turned curiously back. ward-a vision that seemed to see Hugh standing at carpeted dais in a flower hung room. while his own voice said out of iurid shadow. "Wilt thou have this man to be thy welded hus- band"-
 1 Stay. Sanderson. said the old man; then turning to Hugh. "Who advanced you money on this and promised to hold itr"
 "Dr. Moreau." .. .s'
 He proHted by it?" .
 "He got his margin" said Hugh sul- lenly. .... ..rh h.- ..
 "How much margin did be getr'
 "A thousand"
 "Where Is the restT' David Stires' voice was like whip of steel.
 Hugh hesitated a moment He had still few hundreds in pocket but he did not mention them.
 "I used most of 1t. I-had 0 few debts" .f
 Debts of honor. I presume"
 Hugh's sensibility quivered at the fierce. grating irony of the inquiry.
 "If you'd been more decent with spending money" he said with flare of the old effrontery, "rd have been all right! Ever since l came home you've kept me strapped. l. was ashamed to stick up any more of my friends. And of course couldn't bor- row from Jessica?"
 "Ashamedw exclaimed the old man with harsh sternness. You are with. out the decency of shame! lfyou were capable of feeling it you would not mention her name now"' ?" | Hugh thought he saw glimmer through the storm cloud. Jessica was | his anchor to windward. What hurt him would hurt her. He would pull through!
 Well" he said. tits done, and there's no good making such row abovt 1t She's my wife and she'll stand by me, if nobody else does!' No one had ever seen such look on David Stires' face as came to 1t now l a sudden blaze of fury and righteous scorn that burned it like brand. You impudent blackguard! You drag my name in the gutter and then try to trade on my self respect and Jessica's affection. You thought you would take it up yourself and l would be none the wiser! And if l did find it out you counted on my love for the poor, deluded girl you have married to make me condone your criminality. to perjure myself. to admit the sig nature and shield you from the conse- quences. You imagine because you are my son that you can do this thing and all still go on as before Do you suppose don't consider Jessica? Do you think because you have fooled and cheated her and me and married her that l will give her now to caught thief, common jailbird?
 In the thoughts that were darting through Hugh's mind there was none now of regret or of pity for Jessica. His fear was the fear of the trapped spoiler who discerns capture and its consequent penalties in the patrolllng bullseye flashed upon him. He studied his father with hunted, calculating eyes as the old man turned to Harry Sanderson.
 "Sanderson," said David Stires once more In his even, deadly voice. "Jessi- ca is waiting in the room above this. She will not understand the delay. Will you go to her? Make some ex. cuse-any you can think of-till come"
 Harry nodded and left the room, shutting the door carefully behind him, carrying with him the covering, helpless look with which Hugh saw himself left alone with his implacab be judge. What to say to her? How to say it He mounted the stair as If pack swung from his shoulders. He paused a moment at the door, then knocked. turned the knob and entered.
 There in the middle of the blue hung room in her wedding dress. with her bandaged eyes. and her bridal bouquet on the table. stood Jessica. Twilight was near. but even so all the shutters were drawn save one, through which a last glow of refracted sunlight sifted to fall upon his face. Her hands were clasped before her. He could hear her breathing-the full. hurried respiration of expectancy.
 Then. while his hand closed the door behind him. thing unexpected. anom- alous. happened-a thing that took him as utterly by surprise as if the solid floor had yawned before him. Slim fingers tore away the broad encircling bandage. She started forward. Her arms were flung about his neck.
 Hugh. Hugh" she cried. My bus bandw
 The paleness was stricken suddenly from Harry's face An odd. dazed color. flush of modification. of self
 
 Despite himself be had felt his lips polding to an answering kiss beneath her own. He drew gasping breath,