The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1898-05-11

layers met her and looked at her in
surprise; but she did not stop for
recognition, and after hesitating and
sometimes looking back, they went on.
1t was growing dark. The city was
a hopeless distance away. There were
a few lights cleaning along the road;
but she shrank from the thought of
asking for shelter. The touch of the
darkness, loneliness and cold had
brought back to her that old sense of
being slight, helpless creature. facing
the immensity of the world. She was
alone, and night, like great beast of
grey, was coming on her there. With
the art-sickness, her strength gave
way. She sank to the ground; then
drew herself to tree standing near,
wound an arm about it, and pressed
her cheek to its rough bark as if she
we're appealing to it for defense. A
rustling in the leaves made her start
to her feet; but her terror vanished,
for she recognized the man approach
ing.
AHulc, Sdlu DdNll
Under the light of his grave, strong
face, her eyes fell, ashamed and peni-
tent.
''It's all mistake, Annie, he said.
"You don't understand"
''But thought you didn't care. You
never said so."
"I-I-" he stammered; but his lips
shut upon the heart.revealing words
like the Tightening of wise.
Haven't kept the wood box piled
to the brim?" he said at last.
'But you never said"
'I've kept the water pail full, " he
said, his voice falling as if he found
his case pitiful one.
"But you never spoke a word
about"
"I've cleaned cal, u.s." he said
hun bly,.
eyes, but the words If you'd only
said, if you'd only say just word to
me, David" she cried pleadingly. 81
do so long to hear you speak"
He stood staring at her helplessly.
"Do you care?" she entreated.
''Of course. IL" There was
a choking sound in his throat. The
flush on his face deepened till it be-
came a signal of distress. Don't
you know" he said hurriedly, "that
I've let you set out all the front of
the garden to marigolds. and I've
seen marigolds and smelled marigolds,
and worn marigolds all summer long
to please you; and heaven knows" "
there was an odd little reverential
tone in his voice, ''that I-I-loathe
marigolds."
The old, merry, mischievous look
came back to Annie's face, as she re-
membered the occasions when she had
laughingly decked out David's coat
with the velvety yellow blossoms.
He was standing with downbent
head. There was no reflection of her
mirth in his stern, sorrowful face.
1--WE washed dishes," he said mis-
erably.
She didnot speak, though he seemed
waiting.
"T've sewed ON my own buttons"
he muttered.
1t was his attitude that convinced
her, the pathos of his downcast face
and shutting feet. She was assured
that he loved her, aud also that if she
ever wished to hear him "speak, she
must listen to the filling of the wood
box and the drawing of water from
the well. She caught his hands.
ooh, Davidw she cried. II love
you. / love you. 1 understand.
It's just because we two are different.
When they were seated in the car
riage, David put an arm about her
and drew her with little awkward
hitch toward himself.
- - i shall get me a long rope" he
said grimly, ''and tether you to the
kitchen stove, Annie"
Annie laughed in the old fashion;
but he detected another note in
that merry sound. The girlishness
had gone from it. The child spirit had
forever abandoned Annie, and was lin
gering, perhaps, about the tree to
which she had chung in that moment
of despair. The Housewife.