Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-08-14

sand road. He heard the crunch of wheels and presently man whis- ting. The sound seemed to bring him out of his isolation. He was still in world where men could whistle. He stepped out into the road as the wagon drew up. The driver stopped his horses suddenly and said in a gruff, but not unfriendly, tone:
 'Mornin.''
 Good morning"
 What do you want, comln' round skeerin' my hosses so early in the mornin' ?''
 "A ride, in your wagon and some thing to eat"
 The man took from under the wagon seat some pieces of bread and meat and a bottle of coffee.
 'ssI keep a perambulatin' house CT entertainment. Breakfus' fer two ef you wan ter bring a friend, an trained walters. Turin languages spoke. Guests rekested not ter fee xhe walters. All perHsites b'long ter the boss. All you want now is a fire ter warm it by an somebody ter perside at the bar, which I'm him"
 There was a g1int of honesty in the rugged face and 8 frank tone in the voice that inspired confidence, and Jim led the way to where his wound- ed friend lay.
 ssPurty as a picter I'd like ter set him up on the mantel piece ter look at, but in storm I'd rather tie ter you"
 He so far yielded to the universal dominance of the picturesque as to kindle the fire and heat the break fast for the wounded boy.
 'sI allers goes pervided; no tellin' what might turn up.''
 s'You had brought it for yourself. and now you are giving it away" !" said Jim, who had arrived at 8 stage where the claims of his fe1lowmen began again to appeal to him.
 That's nothin'. Anybody along the roadu give me lunch. Most of 'em expect a ride in my wagon some time. It allers makes folks genrous hearted to you fer you. ter have sump'n they wants"
 ssNow, you feners cain't stay hyer,o he said after the breakfast was fin- ished. 'sIt's dangerous. Somebody'H come along an nab you en, leastwise, my hotel is the only trav'1in one in these parts, an when it moves on you won't have no feed" Thar's a place down hyer on the Toad whar you'd be safe 'nough. I'll take you thar. They's Tanks en you's rebs, take it., but they ain't people to go back on a feller what's wounded, .ner one ats ;takin' keer CT the unfort'n :"
 "Yes; we're rebs. What are you?"
 sTm a teamster,' z replied their host, with a fine air of neutrality.
 They stopped in front of a cottage with a rose vine growing over it and pink roses peeping out brightly. A great Newfoundland dog sleeping in the yard arose and came to the gate, twagging his tail in a friendly way
 Here we are," said the teamster, lifting the boy out. As he carried him up the steps, confident of the welcome he did not stop to ask, a girl came out on the portico. ssHow are you, Rosalyn? You see I've brought you a. Johnny reb to take care of.''
 The girl drowned darkly.
 'How dare you call him names Maybe he was that when he fought. When he is wounded he is southern soldier"
 ssShe has brown eyes, thought IShivers, looking at her with long, slow glance through half shut eyes. She was not defiant now, but gentle and sympathetic, and Shivers thought she had tears in her eyes when she looked at him. He could not see well. He was dazed by fatigue and the pain of his wound. Even as he looked at her he drifted off into un- consciousness.
 When he came back to the world the soft eyes still looked compassion iately at him. His thought went back. groping for a memory of her.
 You are the girl who waved the flag at me-"
 s'Oh, but I wouldn't if I had known that you would be wounded. I'm so sorry."
 'Sorry that am wounded?"
 'Yes. and that I waved the flag ! 'I am not sorry for that; I rather liked it. Perhaps I am not so sorry | hours ago"
 His wound had been ski11fully dressed and the pain was lessened. Through window opposite his couch he looked out into a mesh of pink iblossomed vines above which was a !glint of blue sky, sun-bathed. And the soft eyes yet looked at him sor- ''rowfully. Small wonder that his grief was assuaged.
 July dreamed into August, August 'drowsed into September, September awakened the world to a new life, and then Jack Shivers went to his southern home, leaving very sor- ;rowful little maiden in the cottage under the oak trees, but she held a sweet hope in her heart as he held her hand at the parting and said, sWhen the war is over"