The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1903-03-27
. HERE was dead silence In the
l., the cottage Of VIII Haynes,
the station master. The sta

the station master. The sta
tlon was small one on looI
line, which had been opened for traffic
more than four years, in the hope tha'
the loop would develop into something
important; but the cutting OF the line
had not worked the slightest effect IN
the development of the surrounding
county, and the cottage and large gar
den were just clearing in the edge OF
the wood, and as far from neighbor'
ing cottages as IL was when Mary Bird
became Mrs. Haynes and began life
as the station masters wife.
II was Sunday evening and an of
time for Haynes. After / o'clock no
train stopped at that station, and only
two trains passed through II. Haynes
was seated on n stout wooden chair,
which he had tilted till the back rested
against the wall next TO the doorpost.
He was very comfortable, for 1t was n
warm evening and he was drowsy.
Mary sat on the doorstep, her elbows
on her knees and her face in her hands.
Her back was toward the room, so
tOulu DOl see HNl luNc, tNtD
when he turned his head.
"Your flowers look well. Mary" he
remarked. He had said that twice
already since dinner, but he wanted TO
make her talk and could think OF moth
ing better 10 say.
Pretty WELL" reJoined Mary, wear
ily.
Silence again. VIII Haynes was un-
easy about this silence. so he made
another effort.
"The 'sturtiums are getting on, amt
they"
"Yes."
"The peas are all right, too don't
you think so" ventured VIII again.
There was no answer. so viii slowly
let the front legs of the chair drop till
they touched the floor. and then half
turned toward her.
"You feel a bit lonely?' he asked,
with more tenderness than usual.
II had dawned upon him before that
evening that Mary was not happy. She
had been taught the trade of tailor
ess, as she phrased il. and while stitch
Ing away as merry hearted girl she
had conceived ambitious ideals, and
had hoped for their realization: but
time went by and the realization was
rs far off ms ever. When VIII Haynes
came along and took n fancy to the
bright-eyed, merry-speaking girl and
told her he was TO be the station master
Of the little country station us soon as
IL was opened, telling her of the cot
tage and the garden and of his pros
poets, she resolved to accept his offer.
The little cottage appeared like n
small paradise at FIRST. and she was
happy; but the aspect gradually
changed. 1t was very lonely; her ideals
faded one after another; and Will was
a reserved man. saying little and out
wardly cold. She maintained her mer-
ry ways ut the beginning of their
married life, but she fancied VIII did
not care for them. and she ceased in
her efforts TO amuse. In point of fact,
Will was much amused. but he made
the common mistake of many hus-
bands and showed no gratitude. no
warmth. Mary interpreted il wrongly.
and became cold in turn and still less
happy.
You feel lonely at timesg Querlcd
VIII once more. as she did not reply.
There they Gomez" said Mary, with
n quick jerk OF her head in the dircc-
tion where the curl of smoke was rem
dered visible In the growing darkness
by the flame that accompanied il. "All
enjoying themselves"
THE up-express," observed VIII
Haynes, casually.
The headlight of the swiftly running
train was visible, and presently II
dashed along the line at the end OF the
garden. the lights from its window
Illuminating the night for brief space
There they go.' cried Mary bitterly.
Its nice TO be able TO travel there
and everywhere. l hate the people III
those trains. when ] see them pass
they can go about and see all kinds of
sights and peaple. while we stick here
and see nothing, day in. day out. in this
forsaken place. alone nearly all The
time, and nothing TO do. believe its
killing me-'
1t was struggle between rage and
tears, and the former conquered for the
time.
1T Is n bit lonely" admitted WIN
rather sadly. MARY. why don't yor
60 and sit with Blake's wife. some
timesp That would be company"
IL don't like her, VIII. Then III,
children make a noise. and she's nj
ways so taken up with them"
How many have they got now =
asked VIII with a strange intonatior
In his voice.
THAT last made four. They have
lot. and others"
Mary was about TO say that man,
other people had none. but she stopped
Will sighed, and Mary echoed the sigl
nnconsciously.
Isn't there something you coult
do to make the time less tirlngY' in
quired Will helplessly.