The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-07-11
AFTER EIGHTEEN YEARS

net went swinging up the long garden path that led fro rntne village lane to an unpainted frome house embowered III trees. Long ago. even forty years ago. Noah Foster built the rainsnack- ie place out of odds and ends. 1t was lo oo until he couid build better house on the roao. but the better one never came. Misforrunes crowoeo thick upon him in the shape of rheu- matism and an invaiid wire. ne eked out an existence and even managed to give his one son Jack some scnooiins. Hut Jack was willful and imperious and took the bit in his teeth at an early age Rebellion is what the world calls early independence fin lad, and Noah Feaser thought his son incorri- gtble.
 In those days Jack was handsome enough, and with a carriage and ann bition that somehow irritated- others beside his father. He never consider CT his handicapping in life when among more fortunate school feliows and stubbornly insisted on doing things which ought to have been done by the sons of richer men. He also did not possess any policy and refused favors with an indifference that did not fail to arouse resentment. When the son of old Parson Meadow came home from college and the young peo- pie of the village and countryside were bidden to a social gathering. Jack Feaser did not present himself, and was ever thereafter derided as not be- ing in Blandford socity. But all the young girls felt it keenly. for there was no other lad so handsome, so lively. or so witty as Jack.
 Eighteen years ago that was. Kitty Mcdowell was thinking of 1t as she walked up the weedy path to the url- painted house. This neglected bit of ground always touched her. for Jack had somehow kept it from rack and ruin. Now the undergrowth and weeds formed a labyrinth almost inl- passable, but there remained the glo- rious trumpet creepers climbing riot ously and the old rose bushes that would bloom in spite of time and lit.. tie sunshine.
 The disfiguring bonnet hid her face and hair. but her figure was good and her neat lawn gown fresh and crisp. In one hand she carried covered bag ket. one that went back and forward between the white house on the hill and the board house in the labyrinth often enough. Kitty McDowell was the prize old maid of the village, the angel of mercy, the solace of the sor- fowful. No one needed her more or oftener than Mrs. Feaser. She had not quilted that house in the labyrinth for twenty years. and her bed for half that time. And every time Kitty went up the weed-grown path, the whole story burned itself anew in her heart.
 It was the story of the love that begins iu childhood and grows with the passing years. It was the story that Jack and Kitty never told each other or needed to tell. It was drama tiZed suddenly in a single scene. When Kitty went one day to see Mrs. Faser with some message from her mother Jack was waiting in the garden with strange look in his eyes. He walked up the path with her, but was silent until they were In his mothers pres ence. Something has happened, for the invalid was almost speeches. with emotion.
 Shall I tell her mother. or will you?"
 The mother's eyes filled.
 T cannot"
 Then Jack turned his brown. iumin- ous eyes on Kitty.
 Kitty. I am going away"
 Going away!"
 Yes: it is best for all of us. Father and I have quarreled. He promised old man Marks that should work for him on the east farm this year. think I can do better for mYself-have more chances"
 But your mother"
 "I must begin to earn for her sake and for other reasons. Will you see after her a little, Kitty? Some day I am coming back. know 1t, feel it. I hope to meet you right here and find that you are just the same"
 Mrs. Feaser laid her hand on her sons head.
 Don't bind her. She is very young. Let her do as her heart teaches her, Jack. That is the best guide. But, o. Jack. the weary years for me as we'll as her!"
 Then the scene ended with a sad lit- tie farewell in the labyrinth. Jacks last words had been:
 "'t will come back sooner or later. Rut will never take you from your good home in poverty. Look at moth CT"
 Eighteen years, Kitty had grown handsomer and more gentle. had been woed and not won, had disappointed her father in more than one instance. and only confessed her secret to her
 Friday. THE LITTLE LADY or II