Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-05-13

NAdS4A AhC nNGOAS R1A5S OAAA OdfS sAAS {. effect is not darkgome, quite the con- trary. The bright scenes stand out and the gloomy ones recede."
 ''The end!" thought Rossiter. Yes, The end of this small episode in life's drama was certainly near at hand. It was delicate ground these two were treading upon-the girl more and more conscious of something in her heart which she would not ad- init to herself was there, fearful of all it might involve, her sensitive na- ture shrinking from the speech of family, of friends, and of the world; the man now wholly mastered by the love he had so sternly struggled against, realizing it's apparent folly and hopelessness, and yet grasping at straws, and buoyed up by the Trailer fabric of dreams. q
 Though you would not let me try to tell you, Mir. Rossiter," Miss Dens- more broke out suddenly, "of my gratitude to you for all you did for me, I must, will speak of your no bleness, your generosity, your brav- cry in coming to uncle's aid. Why, if | 1t hadn't been for you"
 Her words were as spark to pow der. All the pent-up emotion within him rushed to his lips. She should know, whatever might be the conse- | quences, that it was her presence l with Mr. Merton thathad moved him ! to strive so nightly, that there was nothing he would not do, aye, to risking life and limb thousand times to win her favor. Whatever. his past might have been, and she should read the open page of 1t with I out reserve, the future, and she might put him to the proof, should be like the ife-moulding of another. man, if he might but wear her gage.
 Do you think, Miss Densmore," :" he began. and there was that in his voice and in his eyes that caused her to turn away, ''do you think I would have gone so eagerly to your unc1e's aid"
 His impassioned words were cut short by Miss Merton's entrance.
 How cosey you are!" she cried. seating herself. And is the hero quite recovered?"
 ''He's likely to faint dead away if ] you apply that title to him again, Miss Merton,' Rossiter had wit enough to answer.
 What had he been about to say? Miss Densmore wondered. Inference clearly pointed but in one direction, and yet. She was in tremor of l doubt, not sure of herself, marvelling at Rossiter's sudden exhibition of I feeling when hitherto he had held I himself in such close restraint. As I for Rossiter, he had resolved that he would not turn his back on the Mer- l ten farm and the hop-felds without putting his fortune once more to the test.
 MT. and Mrs. Merton came in short ly, lamp was lighted, and then, though they urged upon him to rest for while longer, Rossiter declared that he would go down to the mems sleeping-quarters, and bade them all .'good-night" l You'll not hesitate to rouse some ! of us if you should feel ill?'' said Mrs. 1 Merton.
 Rossiter assured her that she need have no further anxiety in regard to him, and went out to find Joe Becraft lounging about watching for him. He would have much preferred to be alone, but he would not hurt Be, crafts feelings, so the two walked towards the men's sleeping-quarters | together.
 I The next morning Rossiter was al his work as usual. He did not fee strong, but in response to all in quiries replied that he needed only another nights rest to be ready fol further adventures. The girls came Into the yard long enough to pick on
 nors So1 each, chatted g1eefully eve the amount of money they ha earned, talked of the departure O the pickers and how lonely the farr would seem after they had gone, in quired as to Rossiter's plans, and said as they were leaving, that they woul, reserve their good-byes until later, h having stated that he should proba bl. i; ride into Illica with the Becrafts o1 the following morning, althougl some were planning to take the even ing train for Hintonville.
 By four o'clock the last box ha been emptied, the last pole strippe, and stacked. It was announced tha Mr. Merton was to be found in hi little room in the barn, and thithe all the pickers focked for their pay When the grateful farmer came t settle with Rossiter he endeavored t
 make him accept a much larger sun than that due him, saying he wishe in some way to show his appreciation of his many services, and knew n other manner of making clear sucl appreciation. It was frankly yet b. no means indelicately put, and thougl the pole-puller would not listen t the proposal, he was gratifed rathe than offended. Mir. Merton thel asked him if he would not like to re main in his employment upon tn farm, saying that Jack Parmelee ha, suggested it. For this further mar of kindness Rossiter expressed hi thanks, but replied in the negative whereat Mir. Merton's regret was ar parently genuine.
 As Rossiter emerged from his inter