The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1903-03-20

of his character, than he had be-
trayed to anyone since he had quilted
the world of his birth. To the nat
ural attraction aroused by the ele-
ment of mystery encompassing him
was added the deep sense of gratitude
which Miss Densmore felt towards
him, despite the fact that he had so
strenuously repelled any expression
of it on her part. Her dreadful ex-
perience at the spring by the wood
was to her like an evil dream, through
which Rossiter passed in the guise of
knight subduing the ravening drag
on. Though he had only acted as
any man of ordinary feeling and
courage would have done under SINH
lar circumstances, she could not but
invest him with certain halo of hero
ism. This, however, was in no wise
patent in her demeanor towards him,
and her cousin had several times up
braided her because she did not show
in greater degree an appreciation of
Rossiter's services. Perhaps for
more than anything else she admired
and respected him for his attitude
towards herself and her cousin. Never
once, that she could recall, had he
presumed upon his position to ad-
vance his acquaintance with them,
although it was perfectly evident that
he found pleasure in their society and
conversation. Herein, more than in
aught else, she told herself, he re-
vealed his innate gentlemanliness
The talk between Miss Densmore
and Rossiter having touched upon
foreign lands, it naturally turned up
upon places that were in common
familiar. He spoke with freedom
and ease upon remote scenes and
customs, of the delights and discom-
forts of travel but it was largely in
an impersonal way. Whenever she
tried to draw him out in regard to
himself, which occasionally she made
an effort to do, she met with but lit
tie response.
"How different" she said at length,
''the life of traveller is, the expe-
riences one passes through, from the
life one takes up on returning home!
was at first sorely discontented af-
ter my first year of wandering and
study to come back to so much that
is humdrum and trivial. And you,
Mr.. Rossiter; 1 can hardly connect
the happy pilgrim which you evident
ly were with the" She hesitated
for the word with which to complete
her sentence, for she did not wish to
give offense.
with the pole-puller!" he ex-
claimed.
"Yes, with the pole-puller, since you
put it so," she said.
"Why try to connect them?" he
asked. 81 have felt all the time I
have been talking with you as though
in comparing "reminiscences with you
mine were those of another person."
81 have heard it advanced as a
theory that all people pass through
several existences in living one, but
have always regarded that notion as
a vagary of the visionary" +.
"It is theory to which I can
heartily subscribe"
swell, l am inclined to think my
hop-picking experience may convert
me to your view. l suppose one gar
ners something from these various
stages, each with it's new set of ex-
periences."
eff it were only the good that one
gathered, the agreeable that one re-
calIed!"
isn't that matter of the will, at
least in part? I'm sure do not mean
to carry away from my hop-picking
existence aught but it's happy
phases"
Rossiter, though looking at her in
the .fickering and dying lantern-hght,
for the boughs obscured the moon
beams, and catching the outline of
her delicate profile, the poise of her
head, and the witchery of that stray
ing lock of hair, told himself that
among his gleanings from the hop
fields there would certainly be one
golden memory.
The music ceased suddenly, evident
ly in the midst of measure. There
seemed to be a commotion within.
Then Jack Parmelee appeared at the
door, followed by three or four men.
"You go that way, some of you," he
said, pointing towards the upper COR
ner of the kiln; 'I'll take the lower
side"
He was off as he spoke, while two
of those who had accompanied him
were quick to do his bidding. A third
followed hard after Parmelee.
81 can't imagine what has hap
pened," said Rossiter, "but L think it
might be well to go in"
Miss Densmore clung rather ner-
vously to his arm as they walked to
the door Of the kiln. Within they
found the dancers gathered in groups,
and Rossiter led Miss Densmore to-
wards those with whom Miss Merton
was standing. She was glancing about
her anxiously.
"Ah, here you are!" she exclaimed,
when she caught sight of her cousin.
There was a decided note of relief in
her tone.
"What was it?" asked Rossiter.
"Oh, a horrid creature stuck his
head in at the window over there and
frightened some of u.s." replied Miri-
am, glancing a little apprehensively
at her cousin.
Miss Densmore's cheeks grew all at
once unwontedly pale.
"I'm thankful was not here" she
said, with little, forced laugh.