Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-05-08

and exchanged idly speculative com ments.
 "WelI, if that chap ain't a slick one!" one remarked. q wonder how he worked it?"
 "Give it up," said another. "I wish he'd tell us."
 "He won't, never you fear. It's too good thing"
 Suppose you ask him how it's done."
 An git smash in the 'mug?' Not much!"
 The three were now walking on, and the observant pickers noted that they paused as they came to the hop kiln. ..t.
 "You'll hardly need me farther" Rossiter was saying, with a smile, for all had been making an attempt at gayety.
 Miss Densmore extended her hand.
 Don't thank mel" he exclaimed, fearing she might try to frame some expression of gratitude.
 Her lips quivered, and though she 1 did not speak, he read in her eyes her unuttered feeling.
 | know, but it will be better, I think, | that no one else should" said Miss Merton.
 T should not dream of mentioning the matter unless you wished it," Rossiter said, and with grave l salutation he left them.
 As he had walked by Miss Dens- lI more's side he had determined that as soon as he saw the girls in safe 1 ty to the house he would tell Jack l Parmelee what had happened, and I with him, and perhaps Joe Becraft or some other, return to the wood \ and secure Dawson, if he were still 1 unconsicous, or give pursuit in case, the vagrant had recovered and taken I himself off. But he now recognized Miss Merton's wisdom in desiring that the affair be kept quiet. The l publicity which would, of necessity, be given to it all in case Dawson were caught and haled back to the ! farm would only serve to keep what had occurred fresh in Miss Dens- lmore's mind, and that she might speedily recover from the shock it was best that nothing in connection | I i verted to.
 Towards evening MT. Merton I sought him out, and poured upon him a stream of grateful and, to Ros- sitter, embarrassing praise for his conduct. It was only when he launched upon perhaps excusably I profane denunciation of Dawson that the late wanderer began to feel conn 1 fortable in his presence. Gratitude in any form, as has been previously l indicated, Rossiter was very far from being accustomed to. Whenever he I was able to render service it was his nature to do so free-heartedly, and neither to ask nor to desire a recompense of any sort. He knew, l generally speaking, that he had little to give, but to that little anyone in need was wholly welcome. This was one of the mans most attractive characteristics. Yet in time gone by it was this very quixotic open-hand- edness that was in a measure respon- sible for his downfall.
 During the next two days neither Miss Merton nor her cousin appeared in the hop-yard. On Tuesday, as he l was coming from dinner, Rossiter ] chanced to see the former standing alone upon the porch, and ventured to inquire for Miss Densmore. l "She's feeling much better to- day." Miss Merton said. Sunday night we were very anxious about her, fearing return of the fever from which she recently recovered, but I'm sure there's no danger now. We shall be out shouting 'Hop-polel' to you again very soon."
 I Miss Merton's prediction proved to be true, for on the following after noon Rossiter saw the two girls com ing towards the yard
 ''Your holidays over now.' said Joe Becraft, near whom he chanced to be standing, with s little grin, 'Sbut don't s'pose you mind"
 Rossiter laughed spontaneously, and hastened away to have a pole in readiness for the returning pick CTS. Indeed, he did not mind. Quite the contrary. Though he would hardly admit it to himself, the hours had many of them dragged sadly since Miss Merton and her cousin had been absent from the hop-feld, and he felt a thrill of pleasure at their approach which it was useless to attempt to repress. Whither was he drifting? he asked himself.
 Both girls greeted him with frank friendliness, and though he endeav- ored to maintain his former reserve, neither of them would have it so. Miss Densmore seemed quite herself, and as for Miss Merton, she was in the gayest of gay moods.
 "Of course you've heard about the hop-dance!" she exclaimed. "It's to be one of the largest we have ever had. Sylvia's never seen one, and she's very curious about it. You're familiar with hop-dances, I suppose, MT. Rossiter?"
 "No," said Rossiter, 'I can't say that ann"
 In his college days number of his companions were in the habit of att tending these rustic frolics, but it chanced that he never had accomna-