Waterbury evening Democrat., 1890-08-27

length of it. Blazing tulips had sup
 planted faded hyacinths; the faint green
 globes of snow-ball bushes were bleach.
 ing hourly in May sunshine and breeze
 the lilac hedge, lining the post-and.
 board fence at the bottom of the parson.
 age lot was set thick with purple and
 mauve and white spikes
 'Such dear, old-fashioned gardenv'
 Hetty said, half aloud. ''It reminds me
 of the one we had at homer' Leaning
 upon the orchard gate she abandoned
 herself to reverie The robins whistle
 In the apple tree was low and tender;
 fieecy clouds, drifting toward the west.
 began to blush on the sunward side, the
 blending odors of a thousand flowers
 hung in the air The word "home"
 took thought back-thoughts of the only one she had ever had, and the mother whose death lost it to her. Since then. she had stood alone, and helped weaker people to stand. A great longing for rest in love she could claim as all hers drove tears to her eyes. The longing was not new, but the hope that softened 1t was. Hitherto, it had been linked with her mothers image, only. She wanted her now. as much, and moro than ever before, but that she might sympathize with what she began to com prehend tremblingly. Her mother would enter into her trembling and her joy. Especially if she had seen what Hetty never could describe-a look the memory of which renewed the shy, delicious shame expressed in the blush March had pitied, while rejoicing in the sight of 1t.
 Such a boundless, beautiful world opened to her while she stood there looking down the blossoming vistas of the orchard-solitary, yet comforted! She would give rein to imagination for that little while. It could harm no one. even If 1t were all chimera that would not outlast blossom-time. And must 1t be that! What had glorified other desc late women's lives might bless hers Spring comes to every year, however long and cruel may have been the win ter. Recalling March's prophecy of future association, she dared dwell upon visions of his visits, of the pleasant familiar talks that would make them better acquainted; of the books they would read and discuss; of the pictures he would paint, with her looking on.
 "l am not beautiful or accomplished. she said. humbly. But I would make myself more worthy of him. am young and apt. would make no mis- takes that could mortify him. He should never be ashamed of me - and, ohP' She stretched her arms involuntarilv. as If to draw the unseen nearer to her heart-''how faithfully I would serve him, forever and forever"
 The dinht of fonou laA fast and farI
 The tinkle of the dlnner-bell in Mary Ann's vigorous hand, ended the fond | Iool1shness abruptly. It was the care tul housewife who asked herself, with a guilty start: What has become of Homer and the psrsley2"
 Her first step in returning was upon hard. She picked it up ~I
 Homer met his young mistress at the back door. His weak, fErtive eyes were lneasy before she accosted him. At her nc1stve tone the red rims closed entirely 'ver them, his hands, grimy with Iroping in gravel and turf, fumbled with one another and his loose jaw langled-
 Homer, you said this afternoon that Tou had been out to do an errand. Do rot leave the place again without letting ne know where you are going. and for what"
 NOW he began, wretchedly. you Eesn. at home, n, thought"
 II forbid you to thinki will do the thinking for this family. You knew where to find me. If you had not, you 'ught to have waited until I Cot hack mean what sayI''
 He shifted miserably from one foot to