Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1892-08-19


cities along the line, and came safe at last
to beautiful Denver, but my heart staid in
Pimley. 1t was a great, big, glorious
world that the train had traversed, vast
stretches of prairie, majestic heights of
mountain land, busy, thriving towns and
active, splendid people Pimley was
little, quiet village among the New Eng
land hills, and in it was the one loved hui
man being who made or unmade the world
for me.
He wrote to me often, my dear, strange
Lotus, but he never spoke of coming nor
of my return. His letters were full of
kindness and sweet, everyday affection,
but there was tinge of bitterness in their
tone, feeling as of one at hopeless vari-
ance with fate used to cry over them
and reproach myself so bitterly-for what?
Surely need not blame myself when he
had not reproached me. If only once he
had written to me, Dell come back" or
Dell, miss you," or made me in any way
conscious of a nearer duty to him, am
sure could never have borne so patiently
nor at all, my exile. But as it was, could
only let the days 20 on-though the sweet
ness of my life seemed going with them
and wait.
We had lovely little cottage for our
housekeeping-father aid Tom and lon
the outskirts of Denver, and a view of
valleys and mountain tops that were n
ceaseless wonder and delight. One day
| came in before dinner, rather tired,
very sunburned and dusty and was about
to disappear for half an hours seclusion
and a bath, when | heard a mans foot
steps sound quickly on the wide piazza
knew it was not time for Tom, but never
theless Tom it proved to be. He had come
in from town little early, his hands full
of packages, books, etc, as usual.
Della" he called, can you come back
down the road with me now, this minute?
There's a poor sheep there that's badly
hurt in some way. l don't exactly know
what has happened, but bring some milk,
will your and we'll see what we can do.
1t isn't far; just off the first turn, by the
wheat field. I'll run up stairs with these
things first"
But did not wait for Toms escort.
was off down the road with little tin pail
of milk almost before his last word reached
me. The sun was near it's setting, and the
low evening light seemed to spread in a
hush over the wide beauty of the world.
crossed to the wheat field and through
the gate in search of my wayside patient
and there, little in from the road, stand
ing quietly against the hedge and looking
at me as came stood-Loftus.
l didn't know what happened to the
milk, but l knew afterward when he
showed me how badly his clothes were
deluged, for the dear fellow was kneeling
on the grass before me with his face hid
den in my arms.
! | can't remember what we said at first,
it was so mixed with sobs and tears and
kisses. He looked pale and worn and thin
LOTUS thin And, oh, it was so sweet to
laugh together as we laughed when
stammered out, Tom sent me here to find
a-sheep-that was hurt"
"And you've found him, haven't your"
said my dear, dear Lotus. And whom
are you, you little brown milkmaid, with
the sunburned face?"
Oh those wonderful sweet first mo-
ments, when l knew he was with me once
againl But think he must have been
aware that my face was dirty, though he
called it sunburned.
And why have you come in this wayS"
| asked him when | began to collect my
thoughts little
"Oh, the idea of surprise was Toms.
found him at his place Of business and we
came out together, and then he told me to
wait for you here and he would make some
excuse to send you alone"
"Oh, Lotus! but | mean how happened
you to come from Pimley so suddenly and
without telling me?"
Dear" said Lotus with a very grave
face, II came because-because Eunice is
dead"
/ could only look at him with wide eyes
of amazement
"Eunice Craig is dead" he repeated still
more softly. II can tell you now why !
could not sooner claim my wife. But you
have trusted me as never woman trusted
husband or lover-Dell, Dell, how could
you know that | have loved you all these
long, long, weary years that we have lived
apart"
But / did not heed his question. ooh,
poor Eunice," said, with a rush of sor-
rowful remembrance. We had both known
her as beautiful, strong and young, and
the ending Of the story seemed pitiful
Her life was too sad, Loftus We can
only be glad of the release"-
You never knew how sad her life was
Della" said Lotus gently, NOR how
much suffered for her. While she lived
could not ask you to be my wife She