Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-01-15

1 Lord Alderdene.
 There is nothing to tell,' he said in tone so utterly new to her in it's finality that she sat up as though lis- tening to an unknown voice.
 Tone and words so completely ex- cluded her from the new intimacy into which she had imperceptibly drifted that both suddenly developed a sig niflcance from sheer contrast. Who was the girl, then, of whom he had absolutely nothing to say? What was she to him? What could she be to him-an actress, a woman of con- mon antecedents? She felt little irri- tated, a little humiliated. little hurt, and took refuge in a silence that he did not offer to break.
 Early twilight had fallen in the room. The firelight grew redder
 Sylvia" he said abruptly, reverting to the old light tone limiting of the laughter in his eyes which she could no longer see, suppose. as you sug- gested, I did ambush you-say after ! bhC OpCla-SClbC NOu tuC very nose of your escort and make madly for a hansom"
 q know of no other way" she said demurely.
 Would you resist physically"
 "Yes, would. If I were going to surrender at once I might as well so of to church with you now"
 "Wenniston church." he said prompt ly. 'I'll order the motor"
 She laughed, lazlly settling herself more snugly by the fire. Suppose it were our fre?" she smiled There would be a dog lying across that rug, and a comfortable Angora tabby doz- ing by the fender, and-you. cross legged, at my feet, with that fascinat- ing head of yours tipped back against my knees"
 The laughter in her voice died out. and he had risen. saying unsteadily: Don't! I-I cant stand that sort of thing, you know"
 She had made a mistake too. She also had suddenly become aware of her own limits in the same direction.
 Forgive me, dear! meant no mockery'
 q know. After awhile a man finds laughter difficult"
 ''I was not laughing at-anything. I was only pretending to be happy"
 Your happiness is before you" he said sullenly.
 My future. you mean. You know I am exchanging one for the other. And some daS you will awake to the in. fanny of :t You will comprehend the depravity of the monstrous trade I made And then - and then" - she passed one slim hand over her face then you will shake yourself free from this dream of me: then, awake, my punishment at your hands will be- gin. Dear. no man in his right senses can continue to love a girl such as am"
 After a long silence, Do you think before the year Is out that you might be granted enough cOurageE" be asked.
 "No. shall not even pray for it. want what is offered me. He might have stopped me. He did not. And now what is there on earth to halt mel Love cannot. Common decencT and courage cannot Fear of your urf- happiness and mine cannot No. even the certitude of your contempt some day is p0werless Co halt me now. I could not l0ve-I an utterly incapable of l0ving-yOu enCIgh 10 balance the sacrifice And that is fnaL-
 
 Grace Ferrall came into the room and found a duel of silence in prog ress under the dua fire glow tfntiHg the ceiling.
 Another quarrel she commented. turning on the current of the drop light above the desk from which Si- ward had risen at her entrance. You quarrel enough to marry. Why don't youT-
 wish vs oould.- ssd Sylvia sim ply
 Grace IzuEhed What a little fool yoa ars- she said ten1erIy. seating herSelf in Si~ar1-s chair and dropping ere hand orer his where fl rested oa tbe ara @Ste7heu. can't you make ber-z biz struzz fsllsw Ike you. On. vel. O1 FsE heals be H. My cor sciencs iz TOW c5exr for the first tfne. and I'll sever ns5dSe azzin-- She E1Es sIwzr1s hzn5 A perfuuctrrT. rrf