The Press. (Stafford Springs, Conn.) 1883-1935, 1902-07-24

Gel Of FOOLS" And the old lady snap
ped king of hearts on queen and
shuff1ed the pack viciously.
GRANDMOTHER" - again the small
brown head peered around the corner
Of the great cared chair-"who did you
say it WASP
"Who? Why, young Phil Strong, of
course, the most reckless youngster
that ever lived. ought to know too,
Wasn't his grandfather my own cous-
in? Wasn't he just the same, obstinate
as rebel?' .....
Grandmother, did you say that he
was all aloneY'
Mercy upon us, child. what next
Yes, he's all alone. Look out of the
window all day If you want to, and
you won't see soul go out or in ex-
cept the doctor and the butchers boy.
At this time of year all the silly peo-
pie have rushed off to roast at the sea-
side, and there's no one in town to go
and see any one" ....
Mona looked out of the window al
the house opposite. For days she had
wondered who it could be that the doc
tor went to see.
ST should think he would be lonely
said Mona to herself. 81 should think
he would want some one to come and
read to him." There was long pause
"And he's kind of cousin, too, besides
being my neighbor. l should
think. And grandmother takes
her nap every afternoon at f."
"Here's your cousin come to read to
you, Mr.. Phil" The old housekeepe1
pushed open the library door and stood
aside for the young girl who had fol
lowed her up stairs.
"WhatW came in a weary growl from
the darkness. "Who's going to read to
me?'
But the housekeeper had departed,
and Mona was left standing in the mid
die Of very large, very closely cur
tanned room, with a shadowy somebody
who had turned his bandaged eyes up
on her in way that made her wonder
why she had ever come and how she
could get away without speaking. And
as she stood there the voice repeated,
''Who's thatY'
Mona twisted her fingers together.
IL heard my grandmother say that
you hadn't any one to read to you and
that it might last six months" She
could get no further, but it was too
late to retreat then.
At her first words the person sprawl
ing in the big chair had risen abruptly,
saying: pardon me. didn't quite
understand what that beast of cook
said.'' How polite he was compared
with moment before! "Your grand
mother is quite right. haven't any
one to speak Christian word to-" Who
was this girl anyhow? He wished that
he dared pull up the bandage for sec
ond. If her face matched her voice
well, anyhow, If she were as homely
as sin she was an angel to come and
read to him. Its awfully good of you,
Miss
Stewart, Mona Stewart, just across
the street." she fastened to tell him.
''It's mighty good of you, Miss Stew
art. What shall l get you'll mean,
won't you find book? 1 stayed in
town to study, and / haven't seen a
luck-I beg your pardon-I mean my
eyes went back on me just as began
to read for my degree"
"Oh, that's what / came to read, if
you'll let me-" added Mona, glad that
bushes could not be heard by people
who couldn't see them.
"Let your" laughed the young man.
Indeed 1 will, though Pm afraid
you'll find contracts dull work."
Indeed, 1t won't be dull Bit" pro-
tested Mona, her sixteen-year-old heart
swelling proudly as she settled herself
near the window, where the light was
cautiously let in. Wasn't she doing
unto her neighbor as she would be
done by2
II shall like it, am sure" she de-
clared.
'And / love her for doing it." said
the young man to himself at the end
of month as he sat and waited for
o'clock and Mona.
But o'clock came. then o'clock,
and brought no one.
Mona did not come the next day or
the next. Philip Strong grew crosser
and crosser. and the doctor shook his
head and declared that all the progress
he had made in the last month would
be lost If he did not stop fretting.
Doctor" said the young man one
day. do you know anybody in this
street of the name of Stewart?"
II did," said the doctor, "but she
died last week-what?"
Nothing; IA sharp pain in my eyes.
o Lord, doctor, can't stand ity'
Il told you this worrying and fret
ting would injure your eyes. I wish
your father would come. I'd send you
to the hospital tomorrow
Philip Strong hesitated and looked
up and down the street. He had come
out to Tarrytown to make a will, and
he did not see the house he had been
directed to.
A young girl was coming toward
him. He waited and lifted his hat.
Can you tell me where Henry Lloyd
lives?" he asked.
AS he spoke the girl, who had been
looking at him, put her hand to her
forehead quickly and blushed. "I-
ycs-that is, Henry Lloyd she be-
gan, but at the sound of her voice the
young man started forward, the blood
rushing to his face. Mona" he said
stammeringly, "Nona Stewart! / swear
I'd know that voice in thousand"
Eyes," said the girl, with tremulous
laugh, as he took her hand. ssAnd yon
are Mr.. Strong, are you not? But why
do you look as If you had seen
ghost?p