Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1904-06-23

Angie had come many times, gather
ing those fragrant flowers. The laurel
was now in full bloom. and great clus.
tiers, some pink, some white, SUR
rounded him. but he was alone. and
the happy days when he and she to-
gether, and sometimes hand in hand,
wandered about here. seemed so long
ago. He wondered If she would come
here now with him, and II she did,
would ii seem to either as 1t did then?
And now he recalled the recent first
meeting again. and her cool recep-
ton, so disappointing, and then the
oldtime youthful idyl seemed longer
ago than ever Life had swept him,
and doubtless her, far beyond the
old sweet romance. and like the with
cred autumn leaves he now found
crumblng to dust beside rocks, so
were those old-time memories
doomed
Bnt he still followed the brook,
whose laughter Knocked his mood. un-
/ til deep in the swamp where he had
| set traps and snarcs for partridses,
it became lost in a tanglc of aldcrs
/ Then back again in melancholy frame
of mind he retraced his steps over
/ pasture, meadow, and field, to where
| the Mizzy flowed deep and still. This
/ he crossed on an old red bridge, also
frauEht with tender memories. and
passed down the by-road to the
/ schOolhouse. sacred To the memory Of
| 1.-TWO Old Cat pump Petcrway,"
/ kissing games under an old apple tree
with Angie in the ring, and awful
fright when examination day and
speaking pieces came. II looked the
same as then. only worse More in
itials were carved on the brown boards,
and the surrounding bushes hcmmed
it in little closer.
And as Martin paused. looking at It,
he wondered if he We're the same boy
! who had come there day after day,
creeping slowly in to study and storm
inc ont to play. And what would
Angie say if she stood beside him
now. looking at the empty school
house, with not dwelling in sight and
only The birds singing in the gnarled
old applc trees. and the sun shining
over all? Would even these old men,
cries recall aught of mutual heart in
terest and brush away the cool re-
serve she had met him with?
As he rctraccd his steps toward the
Village after morning of gloomy
memories, it seemed as if fate meant
10 he kind, for Just ahead he ospied
Angie entering the by-road from a
4
hat of the day before, carried a pail
and had evidently been after berries.
With quick steps Martin had almost
reached her, when she halted and
faced about
why, how you scared me- she eX-
claimed, looking relieved.
I'm sorry he responded. smiling
and raising his hat, and yet. I'm glad
Eve been on tour over my old haunts
ending at the schoolh ouse, and think
ing of you"
You find things changed, ! pre-
sumo" she answered coolly, now her.
self and ignoring his reference.
"Why. yes. of course. Everything
seems to have grown smaller, nclud-
mere turkey coop. You have beer
after berries. | soc" he added, as she
made no reply to this.
"Why. yes flashing a curious loo!
az him. country girls always 80 aftei
berries, rake hay and drive the COWS
and I'm still country girl, You see"
Martin laughed. Il hear you are also
ma m, rpu bp ,pipip al
thinking it wise 10 change the subject;
''whorc do You toach?'
I'm the same turkey coop YOU JUS
visited" she answered, smiling.
"Why. that's where We used to 20
10 school together; that's funny
Then, as She made no response. he con
tinued: 1--WE been all over the OLE
farm, and up through the laurel pas
ture &hcre we used 10 gather arbutus
and back by the old cidcvnill. /
made me feel like boy again"
That was pleasant" she replied il
q lack-in'crest tone; ARE you think
ing Of becoming farmer again?'
"Hardly"-a little piqucd AT IL
cOolncss; 1--WE notion, though, o
.
ing trout That's been hobby o
mine for many years. DO you EMO.
teaching school, Angie?" he asked sud
cenly, realizing that old memories an
his plans failed to interest her.
"Why. yes, until winter comes. It.
a quite long walk"
! A pause. an infection, a mere shad
, ing of tone will give a keen observe
y the key TO anOther's feelings, and Mar
tin, as he glanced down at the shape
, ly, caliCo-clad girl beside him, read he
! thoughts and saw her life as il was il
! an instant They had been as youth
o tul lovers, all in all TO one another
q parting with fond promises-he ap
parcntly TO forget his, and she 10 con
, tinue her simple life as pure and Ope
as the brook he had that day followed
v And now on his return, she would not
even by alhsiOn to old occasions, adj
nit they had ever been aught to on
u, another. Had she wished TO renew tn
= old ties, or awaken his interest AGAR
: he had given her ample chance. and yo
she ignored ii. II was pride OF tn
most indomitable sort, and while
hurt, he felt like taking off his hat I
" it, Then, as the history Of her life, a
= related by DR.. Sol, returned to him o
V 'ho instant-hcr heritage kept fror