The Connecticut labor press., 1919-12-06

though he fingered to the last allow.
 able moment. He could not even
 watch over her. Mrs. Benjamin was too wholly bent on his captivatiou.
 But he had a sense that she was suf- fering deeply from the glances and compliments of Ware. Small need for Mrs. Benjamin to say, as she did when
 she went halfway down the walk with him: Matters are arranging themselves so beautifully. We shall have wedding before we know It. Louise will make the most beautiful bride in the world"
 He galloped away, ready to swear at life and things. If only Louise would forget that cursed Melville, and marry her faithful Johnny. all things did not love the real Melville. but rather an image she called by his name and set up in her hearts inner shrine. "She really Is a Sleeping Beauty" he said to his heart, revert ing to the happy audacity whose menI- ory made him jingle. "Once she walked up. she'd have to know life and things. My business Is to wake her. I wonder how I shall do it."
 After three days of pOndering he Tt upon something that made him cry aloud "The very thing" Then write letter, nasty but full of de tails. After he had dispatched 1t to distant address he gave his whole mind and time to haunting the Mar tin establishment, bent on knowing all that passed regarding his beloved: There was need of his constant wig ilance. Franklin Ware was des- perate wooer. and ably seconded by Mrs. Benjamin; who, of course brought her husband to seeing with her eyes. .'>., -a a~ .~ s.-.
 Therefore he said seriously 10 Louise, that with no wish to constraLn her inclination. he felt bound to say she would both please and relieve him by providing for herself so finely. Franklin Ware was not, to be sure. in his first youth-he had. moreover had harvest of very wild oats. To off set that, he was rich. well born. pos. sessed of standing that gave his wife entree everywhere-and eager to make her the most magnificent settle ments. Furthermore-here Uncle Benjamin half sighed-he himself could do no more for his brothers only daughter than give her a home and maintenance while he lived. All he had was we'll tied up beyond diversion in any direction. And it would pain him deeply. to think either of leaving his niece unprovided for. or to have her go to work. In the name of the blood he begged her to save him such discOmfort-she listened shivering- not over what was said. but left un- said, namely. that Uncle Ben might be now a millionaire. if he had not years back voluntarily paid huge sums to clear his brother of debt, and keep the> family name spotless. Then, too. so long as the brother lived. he had been generous In help to him, who was the soul of imprOvident kindlfness. Louise felt to the marrow of her bones all she owed the good narrow man, too fine bred to recall benefits be slowed. It seemed to her she must obey him-or die, Death. indeed. 1 seemed her only refuge-she could not think of accepting Johnny with all
 
 Then when she was most distraugh+ | came Melville's Ietter-in mad haste 1 "Johnny writes me you have great l nrosnects-if you will accept them" 1 it said. 'My dear girl. don't be a fool. | Accept the goods the gods provide | and thus justify the admiring friend | ship of
 Hastily and heartily vour
 % ARTHUR MELVILLE"
 Johnny saw her read ft-not for | nauSht had he studied postal sched- | ules and haunted the carriers route. | As she crushed the sheet within a der gently. saying:
 "Honey-trust yourself to me l Even if can't ever make you love me. it will be-better than-the oth- CT inevitable thing"
 "T can't! I am too ashamed. To | think T-oh, no decent man ought l ever to look at mer" Louise cried hotly; then with a sob gave him the letter. When he had read it he turned to see her sitting with bowed head. face hidden in her hands, and trembling all over. "I believe you have saved me-from-the very worst" she said. eff you will have me" breaking off there and droop- ing lower still.
 He married her next day-to the scandal of Mrs. Benjamin. Times | indeed brings revenge. Be fore the honeymoon waned Louise hid her. face in his shoulder to say, hap pily, "T was in a trance, Johnny. dear! How in the world did you care enough to wake me?"
 "Oh. l have a taste for sleeping beauties" Johnny answered. tweaking her ear-but with eyes that misted little Tn spite of him.
 Oh Those DarkIea