The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-12-13
CHAPTER N1n

door.
 T heard. by an accident. by what accident lS no matter. that one 0i my class vas ill and solitary. , re- ceived no ether description oi him than that he lived in this street Beginning my inquiries at the first house In lt have found him
 T have been il. sir returned the student. not merely with a mod est hesitation. but with a Kind of awe of him. but am greatly better. An attack fever of the brain. ] believe-has weakened me, but l am much better ! cannot say ! have been solitary in my Illness, or should forget the miniStering hand that has been near me"
 You are speaking of the keep CTS wife" said Redlaw
 "Yes." The student bent his head, as if he rendered her some silent homage.
 The Chemist. in whom there was cold, monotonous apathy glanced at the student leaning with his hand upon the couch.
 T remembered your name" he said, when 1t was mentioned to me downstairs just now: and l recollect your face. We have held but very little personal communi- cation together?"
 Very little
 You have retired and with drawn from me, more than any of the rest, think?"
 The student signified assent.
 And why?" said the Chemist, not with the least expression Of interest, but with a moody, way ward kind of curiosity. "Why?" THE young man, who had heard | him with increasing agitation, cried with sudden earnestness and with trembling lips:
 MT. Redlawl You have dis covered me. You know my sec ret!"
 "secret?" said the Chemist harsh ly. T know?"
 But, MT. Redlaw," said the stu dent, "as a just man, and a good man, think how innocent l am, except, in name and descent, of participation in any wrong inf1ict- ed on you, or in any sorrow you have borne"
 "Sorrow!" said Redlaw, laugh ing. Wrong! What are those to me2"
 For heavens sake" entreated the shrinking student, do not let the mere interchange of few words with me change you like this, Sir! Let me pass again from your know ledge and notice. Let me occupy my old reserved and distant place among those whom you instruct. Know me only by the name I have assumed, and not by that of Long, ford-'
 "Longford" exclaimed the other.
 "The name my mother bears, Sir" faltered the young man, the name she took, when she might, perhaps. have taken one more hon ored."
 Redlaw, unmoved, unchanged, and looking at him with staring frown, answered by no word or sign.
 MT. Redlaw," said the student, faintly, what l would have said, I have said i'll, for my strength is strange to me as yet; but for any thing unworthy in this fraud of mine, forgive me, and for all the rest forget mel"
 ssTHE past is past" said the
 \ Chemist. Ut dies like the brutes. Who talks to me of it's traces in my life? He raves or liesl If you want money, here 1t is l came to offer 1t; and that is all l came for. There can be nothing else that brings me here," he muttered, holding his head again, with both hands. There can be nothing else, and yet"
 He had tossed his purse upon the table. AS he fell into this dim cogitation with himself, the stu dent took 1t up, and held 1t out to him.
 Take it back, Sir" he said proudly, though not angrily. T wish you could take from me, with it, the remembrance of your words and offer"
 You do?" he retorted, with a wild light in his eyes. You do?" T dol"
 The Chemist went close to him, for the first time, and took the purse, and turned him by the arm, and looked him in the face.
 "There is sorrow and trouble in sickness, is there not?" he demand ed, with laugh.
 The wondering student answered, ssYes."
 "In its unrest, in it's anxiety, in its suspense, in all its train of physical and mental miseries?" said the Chemist, with wild un- earthly exultation. "All best for gotten, are they not?"
 The student did not answer, but again passed his hand, confusedly across his forehead.
 Redlaw still held him by the sleeves, when Milly's voice was heard outside.
 Redlaw released his hold, as he listened.
 "Of all the visitors who could come here." he said, in a hoarse alarmed voice, turning to his com panion, this is the one I should de- sire most to avoid. Hide me!'
 The student opened frail door in the wall, communicating with a small inner room. Redlaw passed in hastily, and shut it atfer him.
 
 CHAPTER TX ssnEAR MT Edmund" said Milly,
 D looking round, they told me there was a gentleman here"
 There is no one here but T."
 She put her little basket on the table, and went up to the back of the couch. She leaned over to look at his face, ana gently touched him on the brow.
 Are you quite as well tonight? Your head is not so cool as in the afternoon"
 'Tutl" said the student, petu-