The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1893-09-02

| their acquaintance progressed Ito
even owned to himself that she was -
nice little thing" and he had been .
fool In regard to tho fence; but Il
wonlan't do TO give MP II was an
noylng, though. 70 be obliged to 90 out
OF one door aud In at another 70 com
municate with her; so. one night after
she had Como home. he cut q square
hole IN the fence. From his table,
through this opening he could catch
frequent gllmpscsSof her brown head
a. she bent over the telegraph inAtru-
mcnt but this does not necessarily
point 10 any scheminR propensity on
bis part Frequently ne caught him
self staring II her steadily; sometimes
she caught him, too, and then they
! would.both laugh-he, rather confused
", she, merrily.
Gradually she frightened up her half
and even carpeted Il; there were low
ers In the window, and nowsmade
friends frequently dropped Ii. She
| seemed capital entertainer, and Sam
uel futile watched proceedings with
quiet and envions eye His half looked
checrless, and no felt out ia the cold
She was MS pleasant as over, but per-
sisted In treating him as 4 business
acquaintance; she never laughed and
jahcd with him tho way she did with
other citllcrA He began 10 feel az
Rrievcd, and HIS eyebrows were often
drawn down into straight limo, much
to her secret enjoyment
In reckless moment he ent gate
In tho hnteful barriende; after doing II,
no felt rather nervous as 70 how she
would take Il When she came in sho
stoppcd abort for moment, and then
said: s'Ilow nicei'
Mr.. Tuttlo could have blessed her.
The gate stood open tho greater part
Of tho tilne. and he had full view of
her; they even conversed at odd
moments, and he began u feel cons
tented with life, and whistled again.
She had no headaches, and surprised
him By singing 10 herself now and
then. In short, Samuel Tuttle was be-
coming more and moro entnngled by
this cnreiess happy little woman, and
he did not even try 70 extricato him-
self
But the fcncei That monument Of q
pcrvcrse momenti Every morning he
groaned when its staring yellow fncc
met him. anSEsh lie was daily over
whelmed with contrition when Laura
Wolcott,s bright face greeted him.
Something had come over her OF late;
she did not avoid him, but she was
quieter; she did not look at him 30
bravely as at first
Samuel futile was worried about 1t.
for he could not understand, and 0
dozen times a day he wanted 10 crosa
through tho gate and end II oil BY tell
ing her his feelings; but he was afraid
sho would simply look IL the fence and
smile Ho know he could never endure
Il X she should
One dry message came for the
operator herself, and with little cry
shc rose.
y must 90 home,. she said, Is he
came 70 her MY mother Is dying
He did not think Of any thing 70 say,
and silently helped her on with her
things.
Thank you. sho said, as she
stepped out Of the door. her eyes full
81 tears.
II was very lonely for Mr.. futile the
week she WINS away. Tho Office
seemed dingicr than ever, He sat ono
day looking through tho gate, out Of
sheer force 81 habit, when an idea
came TO him so suddeply that II took
his breath away. He laid down his pen-
ell and went outside; presently he came
back with an AZ There were blows
and crashes, till, finally. samuel Tnttle.
red and perspiring. stood triumphant
amidst the ruins OF the long-hated
fence. Ills. spirits rose wonderfully
after that and he could breathe easier;
no was wildly anxious for Monday
morning and Miss Wolcott's return.
He saw her coming down the street,
and rose to meet her. with = great
wave Of tenderness surging over him
as she stepped In the door, black
robed little figure. She hesitated in
bewilderment as she looked across the
cleared room to where Samuel futile
stood with beseeching look In his
eyes. She had not known before how
the fence had wounded her feelings,
and she was suddenly overcome.
sLaurai" he cried. 70 Lanrai', as he
quickly crossed over TO the chair into
which she had dropped.
She did not repulsc him, and sobbed
out her pent-up feelings on his shout
der.
Il was afraid you could never for
give my--the fence, !" he faItered.
She began TO laugh through her
tears.
''0h, the fence" she said 1T was
hateful Of you. Samuel, but forgive
you now. Cotton Woodruff, In DEM
orast,R MnCazina