Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1903-08-21
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copyright, 1903 by T. c. Mc,lure.l

with nervous click of the needles
"If that man don't quit hanging
round here" she muttered. "'tis in the |
crazy house I'll be-
She rose and turned her back on the
door of the outer waiting room. But
the mans face haunted her. 1t was
the helpless look i'll his eyes Of one
suddenly cut loose from the ordinary
routine of life and cast adrift which
Mrs. Mcguire could not forget
She had seen it many times in the
last few days, occasionally during the
hours when he stood watching outward
bound passengers and more often as
he scanned the occupants of the ladies'
waiting room. In the WEAKNESS of his
search the vigor of middle life was
giving place to age.
"'Tis neither food nor sleep he's had
this week past" Mrs. Mcguire thought
and turned with a sudden determine
ton to speak to him.
Even as she did so he staggered and
sat down weakly. One hand went out
and, grasping a newspaper which lay
near, held it before his face. Above 1t
his eyes were fixed in hungry gaze.
Mrs. Mcguire knew that his search
was ended.
She turned slowly following the d.
rection of his eyes, and noticed for the
first time small, pale woman sitting
with her profile toward the door. The
brown hair which lay softly ON her
temples was plentifully strca;ed with
gray. Her blue eyes held the brightness
of unshed tears. The hands, which
held shabby gripsack on her lap,
clutched it as if it were some fast
slipping resolve.
Mrs. Mcguire left the room and went
straight to the man who sat outside.
rs that who you've been looking
fori" she asked quietly
He tore his gaze away with start
of surprise and nodded.
Your wife?"
"Yes."
Mrs. Mcguire waited moment. Then
she ventured again:
what did she leave you forT'
Don't think-it wasnt-her fault
He stopped choking. she thought
had stopped loving her"
Suddenly his face began to work.
Hester" he muttered, with cropping
fingers, "Hester-you don't know
what the house is-without your
Mrs. Mcguire laid hand on his
shoulder and shook him slightly.
Look here" she demanded, is II
trying to live without food or sleep
you've been this past week?"
His eyes had gone back to the quiet
figure in the ladies' waiting room as II
he grudged losing sight Of it even for g
moment. His face held the look OF
one for whom all things were at ar
end.
Mrs. Mcguire left him and saunteret
slowly back to her own domain. Pres
emily she approached the woman with
the shabby gripsack
"Was it you who was asking me
about the western trains, ma'am?" she
inquired casually.
NO" The womans eyes were
raised in mild surprise for momen
as she shook her head.
"'Tis a more comfortable chair you
might as well have If you've long t
wait" Mrs. Mcguire said civilly.
Thank you, but it is hardly worth
while"
Still Mrs. Mcguire fingered with sucl
evident desire to do something for thu
comfort of this passenger that the lat
ter felt constrained by her kindly in
tent to speak again. The express TO
New York leaves at 9:35, does it not?
she asked.
Yes, ma'am; at $50"
Then Mrs. Mcguire moved away
: She picked up a magazine and leisurel.
replaced it ON the table, shook on
some pillows ON Il couch near the doc
and slipped outside.
I "'Tis to New York she's going" sh
. whispered eagerly to the man VIII
still held the paper before his face
;. you've got twenty minutes. TAX
your ticket, and for the love of heaven
man, get something to eat. IT'S fairl.
staggering We are"
I What Mrs. Mcguire did not see ant
never knew of took place a quarter o
an hour later when a woman, entering
the vestibule of a sleeping car, swaye'
and lost her balance as the engin
backed against the train.
, For sickening second her eye
closed. Her hands went out gropingly
dropping the gripsack they had held.
Then the arm that was as the arm o
youth in the strength of its love wen
round her. With a blessed sense o
safety, her eyes opened and rested oil