The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1901-12-15

ranged his DelOHSlHSS with
the care that marks a certain type of
bachelor. He was no sooner seated
than a stout woman with two little
girls established herself behind him.
One of the children Immediately began
to stroke the Russian sable lining OF
WetherelPs overcoat, which was lying
across the back of the seat, and the
other child cried because she couldn
reach it from her position next the
aisle.
The gentleman from New York sadly
arose and went forward into the next
coach, which seemed to be full of ba-
bies. Eventually he found lodgment in
the smoking car, where stale pipe
smoke killed the flavor of his cigar.
Why had he committed the incredible
folly of this journey? From a sense of
duty doubtless. 1t was time that he did
something substantial for his aunts. his
nearest living relatives, two widows
with a houseful of other peoples chill
dren, as he knew from their letters.
They had promised him "a real home
Christmas" and he shuddered at the
thought. He had been homeless man
for many years and hoped to i've and
die in that blessed condition. Out OF
long, soul destroying, nerve Wrecklng
struggle he had emerged a ricn man.
He had taken new and more luxurious
rooms at the club; he was prepared to
enjoy life in them, or if not he could al
least be miserab BILE with no one to worry
him.
His mind flashed to suggestion In
his Aunt Martha's letter of invitation.
1--WE have asked Amy Hunt Perhaps
you remember her as a child. She is
teaching a kindergarten in Portland
now. l know you will like her" And
on the next page: you have lived too
much alone. You ought to find nice,
pretty sensible girl and make home
for her now that you have the means"
Dear Aunt Martha! She had given
him a home in the summer after his
college days were over and before he
began, pennileSs, his struggle with the
world Fifteen years ago, and he had
not seen her since. He remembered
that once when his income had risen to
about ten thousand year and he had
felt poorer than ever before in his life
she had CLEANED some hint of his tinan-
cial troubles and had sent him So IN a
letter. He had returned the money ten
fold Immediately and it was by no
means his only remittance, but he had
never really paid the debt.
The train dawdled along and reached
Lynde, which is the nearest station to
Brantford about noon. There remained
a ride of eleven miles in whatever We
hicle his aunts had provided.
1t would have pleased him to feel a
trace of emotion, for he could not help
perceiving that the situation involved
certain possibilities. He was near the
only home in the world he could be sure
was open to him for love alone. The
old. boyish pledge that he would come
back when he got rich was about to be
made good These matters might at
least interest him, but they did not. 1t
wearied him to consider them. He was
conscious of an active dread of the cold
and 6reary ride that he must take, and
he felt annoyed most unreasonably be-
cause the stout woman and her children
who had distressed him on the train
were alighting at this particular sta
ton. But his soul was empty of senti-
ment.
He lodged the trio and FASTENED
through the little buildings, expecting
to find his aunt's carriage upon the
other side, but there was nothing that
looked like a private conveyance Just
opposite the door a girl whom he had
seen on the train was putting hand
bag into a queer vehicle on runners,
called a "pung" in those parts. 1t had
a broad seat, rudely hooded, in front
and a long, boxlike body in which We're
some packages and a small trunk,
"Yesm," the driver of the vehicle
was saying, this is the stage. l
wouldn't be surprised if you was Miss
Hunt. Mrs. Martha Webster asked me
to look out for you an young Teller
she was expectin'. You amt seen moth
in of him, have you?'
81 saw a man get off the train" she
replied, but he was as gray as a
mouse. He couldn't have BEEN
At this moment she turned, prepare
tory to sitting down, and caught sight
of Wethereu so close that he must
have heard what she had said. She
blushed so very red that Wetherell was
aware of a vague interest in the phe-
nomenon. 1t was long while since he
had seen the like of it.
DO you know" said he to the driver,
where call uiIG d SOlAN CS e'iSS " teShNS
me to Brantford?"
The man stared.
"T amt much acquainted around
here" ne stammered but, say, why,
I'm goin' right over there. This is the
stage. Cost you only half a dollar to
ride with me. / guess you're Mr.. Weth-
eren amt you? I was told to bring
you over"
WetbereH perceived that he could not
,,ress his inquiry without a suggestion
Of discourtesy to Miss Hunt. She would
think he ought to welcome the chance
IN ride with her, especially as she prob
abIv knew the amiable designs of his
a,,nts. There really was no way out
Of If So after involving the whole
state of Maine in one silent anathema
he s+epped aboard the pung. The ride
,,-ornised to be worse than he had pic
+,,rad if. Miss Hunt was certainly the
sor+ of girl that is called ''vivacious."
u would be obliged to introduce him
lie and she would insist upon talking
- him all the way to Brantford. She
,,.or1d tell him all about kindergarten
tng and Wetherell shuddered at the
,houebt so violently that the nigh"
horse caught the infection and shook
its rafting harness.
"T,I1 get the driver between u.s."
thought WethereH. Then perhaps
can sleep a part of the way. I'll just
give the girl my card