The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1893-05-30

even owned 70 himself IIII M VI !.
nice little thing. and he had been Z
fool IN regard to the fence; but Il
wouldn't do 70 give up II was an
noying. though. 70 be obliged 70 60 ont
of one door and In az another 20 com
mnnicate with her; 80. one night after
ale had gone home. he cut = square
hole In TIE fence. From his table.
| through this opening be could catch
| frequent glimpses Of her brown head
d she bent over the telegraph instru-
menti but this does not necessarily
point 70 any scheming propensity on
his part Frequently he caught him
self staring at her steadilyi sometimes
she caught him. tao. and then they
would both laugh be, rather confused
". she. merrily.
Gradually she frightened mp her half
and even carpeted III there were low
ers In the window, and new-made
friends frequently dropped In She
seemed . capital entertainer, and Sam
net futile watched proceedings with
quiet and enyious eye His half looked
cheericsA and be felt out in the cold.
She was as pleasant a. ever. but per-
sisted 10 treating him Is business
acquaintance she never laughed and
joked with him the why she did with
other callers He began 70 feel az
grieved. and his eyebrows were often
drawn down into d, straight line. much
70 her secret enjoyment
In reckless moment he cut gate
In the hatefni barricade: after doing Il,
he felt rather nervous a. 70 how she
would take Il When she came In she
stopped short for moment and then
snid: "How nicer
Mr.. Tnttie could have blessed her.
The gate stood open the greater part
81 the time, and he had full view Of
herr they even conyersed at odd
moments. and he began TO feel con-
tented with life, and whistled again
She had no headaches, and surprised
him By singing 70 herself now and
then. In short, Samuel futile was be
coming more and moro entangled By
this careless, happy little woman. and
he did not even try TO extricate him
self
perverse momentI Every morning he
Rroaned when its staring yellow face
met him, and he was daily ovor-
whelmed withs contrition when Laura
Wolcott's bright face greeted him.
Something had come over her Of late;
she did not avoid him, but she was
qnietcr; she did not look at him 50
brnvcly ~ Ut first
Samuel futile was worried about Ii,
for he. could not understand; and a
dozen times day he wanted 10 cross
through the gate and end It all BY tell.
ing her his feelings but he was afraid
she would simply look at The fence and
smile. He knew he could never endure
Il II she should
One day message came for tho
operator herself and with q little cry
she rose.
II must 60 home. she said, Is he
came to her. My mother Is dying. &
He did not think of any thing to say,
and silently helped her on with her
things
Thank YOU she said, as she
stepped out Of the door. her eyes full
OF tears
II was very lonely for Mr.. futile the
week she was away. The office
seemed dingier than ever He sat one
day looking through the gate. out OF
sheer force OF habit, when an idea
came to him SO suddenly that Il took
his breath away He laid down his PEN
Gil and went outsider presently he came
back with an az. There were blows
and crashes, till, finally. Samuel Tuttie,
red and pcrspiring, stood triumphant
amidst the ruins Of the longrhated
fence. His spirits rose wonderfully
after that and he could breathe easier;
he was wildly anxious for Monday
morning and Miss Wolcott's return.
He saw her coming down the street,
and rose 70 meet her, with great
wave Of tenderness surging over him
as she stepped In the door, q black
robed little figure. She hesitated In
bewilderment as she looked across the
cleared room to where Samuel Tuttle
stood with beseeching look In his
eyes. She had not known before how
the fence had wounded her feelings,
and she was suddenly overcome,
aLauraln he cried. 20 Laura as he
quickly crossed over to the chair into
which she had dropped
She did not repulse him, and sobbed
out her pcnt-up feelings on his shout.
der.
II was afraid you could never for
give my the fence" he faltered
She began to laugh through her
tears
oh. the FENCE she said 1T was
hateful of you, Samuel, but forgive
you now. Cotton Woodruff, In Dem
orest's Magazine
L