The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1902-05-09

you u ougHG Togo, Irene. There's a
dozen team loads comm over from
west Lennox and the Holler."
Irene said nothing, but she looked
after him with an inscrntahla ax-
preston as he drove up the road.
She was gathering lilies of the VALLEY
IN her little garden when he came
back. Joe carriage was leading a LONG
line OF teams filled with people in GALA
dress. Ryeboro picnics were jovial &C.
casions and always attracted pleasure
lovers from far and near. Joe's was the
only covered carriage in the procession.
and sundry glances of envious admir-
atlon followed its shining wheels. Miss
Lorlng, seated beside Joe, looked
Pleasantly interested in everything.
She was radiant in marvellous picnic
costume.
Ola Simon was at the toll gates. He
thuckled as he surveyed the long line
or teams. Tonight there would be a
goodly number of dimes to add tn the
old chest.
Joe drove up to the gates with non.
chalant air.
Here you go, Simon,' he said and
tossed him the dime.
"No you DON'T" retorted Simon
with wink, mot for 10 cents. Won
don'tv'
"What say?" inquired Joe with lofty
politeness.
You don't 60 over this bridge with
that turnout for less'n u cents. - said
Simon loudly. "Twelve cents is the
charge for top kerriage."
YOU'RE out of your head, Simon. ~
commented Joe affably-though his
heart sink little, for he knew his
mani come over for 10 this morn
in G
"Well, yell 60 back for II or swim,
]est's We like" returned Simon, 'Irene
took yer toll an she didn't know no
better. It's IL cents for akivercd kerr
riage," l tell We. My father built this
bridge an he used ter say, ANY dern-
ed fool that thinks he can ford TO
drive kivered team can ford to paw y
cents toll. And I've stuck to his view
On't.'
The teams in the line were crowding
up now. Everybody was listening.
MISS Lorlng's well-bred lips were be-
ginning to twitch a little. Wild plans
OF escape went flashing through Joe's
mead. Should he turn around in the
race OF all that crowd and in the hear
ing OF Miss Loring and borrow two
cents OF the town clerk, who was lust
behind him? or should he get down and
throw Simon over the river bank and
open the gate himself? His thoughts
were turning strongly to the latter
course when Irene, her hands filed
with lilies of the valley, came quickly
out of the garden. Joe WINGED a little
at the sight of her. He had had a
guilty feeling all the week when he
thought of Irene. If she wanted re-
venge for past Sights, providence had
placed a very complete one within her
reach. He thrust his hand deep into
his empty pocket and looked at the
locked gates desperately. Was she 90
ing to interfere in his behalf and make
the situation 10 times more humiliat-
ing?
Irene came swiftly to the side of the
covered carriage. She leaned passed
Joe and heaped the fragrant mass of
lilies into Miss Loring' slap. She spoke
IS If she had not heard the alteration
1t all.
"Have some of my lilies, Miss Lor-
ng," she said, "they blossom SO can't
'ick half of 'em."
Miss Loring's handsome face bright
ned with real delight and she broke
'ut into small torrent of thanks and
Joe felt something Slip
nto the hand that was buried in his
'ocket. Irene's little fingers were
eft as magician's. The eye of science
ould scarcely have detected the
assage of the .coino from: her ging-
am pocket to Joe's' hand. She drew
ack, smiling an answer to Miss Lor-
1g's thanks, and Joe tossed a quarter
indictively at Simon. ,
''Put that in yer chistu' he said con-
and in another moment
ne procession was entering the dark ;
outh of the bridge. f
Irene was tired that night when she .