Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1899-09-12
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES

on the church steps after the service,
Il would ask to walk home with you
l didn't expect rain when left home
so l am unprepared."
However" came her clear reply,
Just arch enough to be frank, 'if you'll
carry my umbrella and let me turn
my energies to keeping my dress
caught up out Of the mud, III be very
thankful to YOU"
They had walked, strangely enough,
half way home in most complete ST.
lence when a man and woman
passed, Ii e them, under one umbrella,
but, unlike them, the woman was held
snugly close to the mans side as she
clung to his arm. 1t was a pretty
picture of that open freedom which so
undeniably marks congenial man and
wife, whose companionship has rip
ened into frank trust.
AS they passed, Robert Cartwright
said, half thoughtlessly, perhaps:
"They are sensible. If two are trying
to use one umbrella, they are surely to
be commended if they strive to take
it be noon, won't you take my arm?'
"But they are plainly not such-such
strangers as We" she returned, con-
scious that both were treading on dan
gerouS ground.
"Are we strangersW he asked quick
ly, turning his eyes searchingly to her.
The pretty face grew tritle pale
Il, In; 4 In,
seemed to climb to her throat, but she
returned bravely, "Yes-that Is, We'll
always be strangers compared with
them"
He stopped for an instant and gaZed
fixedly at her till hot flush flew up
from her collar and swept Under the
velvet strings Of her dainty brown
bonnet.
"Always?" he asked simply.
"Yes. Why, can't you see that they
are married?'
She tried to laugh 1t away. but it
would have been difficult to tell which
pair of lips quivered the more or
which pair of eyes swan in the deeper
mist as the two started on. both SILENT
both sad, both realizing that a little
tragedy had occurred in that brief in
slant under that dripping umbrella.
Eight years went by and found Ga
brielle Naughne alone in the world,
with necessity for keeping up life
| in which all interest and all energy
were dead. She had at last arisen from
q tedious illness, and the nurse her
self hardly recognized the tall, pale,
sad faced woman with the short. dark
curls, as the bright eyed, light haired
girl of six months before.
Gabrielle had one thing dear to her,
and only one, and that was memory.
| And some of our dearest memories are
the cruclest parts Of our lives. When
finally she stood before mirror and
realized that that changed creature was
herself, a mighty resolve filled her
she would go to the source Of that
memory.
She knew where he was; she knew
that he had married three years after
that bitter morning in the rain and had
married a wealthy wife. That was
the reason that she had thrust him
back from her long ago, just because
of his poverty Not that it would pain
her, q thousand times no. Hadn't she
cried out night after night since that
starvation with him would be only
bliss?
But she had known his ambitions
and his capabilities; knew his dreAnls
of success, and she realized his ability
to turn the dreams to realities. She was
poor. Would she permit herself tt
hang a milestone about his neck
Would she hold him always in the
depths of poverty by being his wife
and the mother of his needy children
No: she would hurt his heart before
she would ruin his life.
Time had proved that she had beer
right. His wife was beautiful woman
and her wealth had opened boundl'ss
opportunities to him. He had risen
she had known that he would. Bu
now that she scarcely was able tt
know herself she would venture into
nis world and see for herself how
happy and prosperous he was.
SO, having spent all but her las
sovereign for her ticket. she stepped
into Langinham one spring evening
steeling her heart to what might fol
low. The next evening she had walk
ed past his great house and was start
ing back when sudden shower burs
unexpectedly upon her. She gathered
up her skirts in that particular way s.
III, .;eti Of 1oinfv AM
was hurrying along when all at one
she was conscious of sharp, cllldis
= cry at her side. Turning, she behel
: a tall. sad faced man trying 10 quie
q frptful baby of about . years. whlc
held out it's dimpled hands to her an
cried. Mamma. mamma"
The gentleman strove to quiet Il
: and Gabrielle started on. But shar
and piercing came the cry Of MAN
ma" and her heart babe her hinge
For the first time the man spoke
4, her
81 must beg your pardon, MADAM
His mother has just died, ana som
. thing about you seems to have recali'
!. her to him"
Gabri,llr's heart softencd at one
Going straight up, she took the tiil
outstrotvhed hands in her own III
mu1nured, Poor, motherlcss lit
ONE
The father held out his umbrel
over her and for the first time 81
looked at him. The face was 10
ert's.
She was glad for the excuse OF tur