Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-05-09

| 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 ht- 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 homel I 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, MT. Rossiter; I can hardly connect the happy pilgrim which you evident lv were with the" She hesitated for the word with which to complete her sentence, for she did not wish to 1 give offense.
 'tWith 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. "I have felt all the time l have been talking with you as though ! in comparing "reminiscences with you mine were those of another person"
 ''I have heard it advanced as theory that all people pass through several existcnces in living one, but have always regarded that notion as 6 vagary of the visionary" -
 ''It is a theory to which I can heartily subscribe"
 ''Well, I 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."
 If it were only the good that one gathered, the agreeable that one re- 2, calledl"
 i 'Isn't that matter of the will, at least in part? I'm sure do not mean to carry away from my hop-pickng existence aught but it's happy phases" i Ross1ter, though looking at her ln the fickering and dying lantern-hght, for the boughs obscured the moon beams, and catching the outline of her delicate profile, the boise 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'u take the lower side"
 He was off as he spoke, while two of tbose who had accompanied him were quick to do his bidding. A third followed hard after Parmelee.
 'I can't imagine what has hap pened," said Rossiter, 'but I think iC might be well to go in"
 Miss Densmore chung 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 decided note of relief in k her tone.
 "What was it?" asked Rossiter.
 "Oh, horrid creature stuck his head in at the window over there and frightened some of us," replied Miri- am, glancing a little apprehensively at her cousin.
 Miss Densmore's cheeks grew all at once unwontedly pale.
 "I'm thankful I was not here," she said. with little, forced laugh.
 Kossiter excused nlmselr and has, tened to the door. Without, half a dozen of the more curious men had collected. As Rossiter joined them I there rose the sound of a struggle below the kiln, and they heard Jack Parmelee's voice, loud and stern. All moved hastily in the direction from which 1t proceeded. As they gained the corner they made out three men approaching, followed closely by two others. One of those in advance was Parmelee. He was gripping the. man next him by the shoulder and wrist, while this individual was held in similar fashion by the one walking