Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-05-11
CHAPTER x.
PASSING DAYS

6D Densmore, but he saw that it As an effort for her to go through bAe changes. Indeed, the spirits of Che whole company had fallen many degrees. Miss Merton's friends de- clared that they must be going home. and with their departure the two girls retired to the house. RossiteR fingered few moments in the kiln after they had left and then sought his cot. He could not sleep, how ever, and as the music still continued his thoughts drifted with it up and down the gamut of the nights hap penings. He wondered if Miss Dens- more would be able to carry out her determination to keep from the store of her hop-picking experiences naught but the pleasant for her treasure-trove of memory. He feared this was little likely, though he real ized that she was a girl of strong will. In such matters, however, the mind cannot be coerced. Then he be- gan to query what part, if any, he played in that which she would re- tain and cherish. He was now past calling himself a fool for dwelling upon her. He had suddenly assumed a different attitude in this regard. He would indulge in the luxury of playing the moth. There was fine exaltation in being singed at SO bright a flame, and if no one save himself was aware of the singeing, what did it matter? ...--. .
 Late in the night soft rain began falling, and it's monotone lulled Ros- sitter to sleep. Everything was drip ping in the morning, and no one turned out early, for picking was inn possible. By three o'clock, however, portion of one yard which stood upon high ground was sufficiently dry under foot, so work was here re- sumed. All the land near the house devoted to hops had by this time been cleared, and the pickers were obliged to walk a considerable dis tance from the farm buildings before ,reaching the scene of their efforts. Rossiter caught but a glimpse or T two of Miss Densmore on the day fol- lowing the dance, as she and Miss Merton did not go into the fields. He had a bright nod from her as he was hurrying by the house on an
 
 evening spoke an instant with her and with Miss Merton upon the porch. On Saturday, however, both girls were once more picking. In fact, they were out earlier than common. '
 'tSee how ambitious we are get ting!'s exclaimed Miss Merton, as Y Rossiter wished them good-morning.
 Positively grasping!" cried Miss
 Densmore. we counted up our
 tickets last night, and calculated how much money we were likely to r have at the end. I've spent mine in my mind dozen times already" and
 she gave one of her infectious little
 laughs.
 That day was one of delight to
 Rossiter. Both of the girls were as
 blithe as birds, and he caught some
 thing of their gayety. Only once was
 there any reference to the occurrence
 which had in measure marred tht
 pleasure of the hop-dance.
 Miss Merton had walked across tc
 chat moment with Mrs. Becraft, tc
 whom she had taken a fancy, anc
 whom she recalled from the preced
 ing year, and Rossiter chanced to be
 stripping pole near the box of the
 two girls.
 "I wanted to ask you question, said Miss Densmore, when she saw he had finished. Miriam is not in clined to talk about it for fear, ( suppose, of disturbing me. But wasn't that man the other night the same one who"
 'Yes,'' interrupted Rossiter, not
 waiting for her to complete the sen
 tence. There seemed to be no othe1
 way but to be perfectly frank with her. But he'll not come 'snoopin' round again, as MT. Parmelee says"
 q heard what Jack did. I wonder
 if it was the wisest course to take
 Anyhow, I should be afraid to turr
 such 8 creature loose after it.''
 The same thought had occurred tc
 Rossiter. hut he did not acknowledgt
 it. ssWhiskers' bitter vindictivenesi
 he did not doubt Eaar of being