Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-07-30


 through the alders, shall have it closed with good strong fence before the ground freezes We have no use for it ourselves. and if Mary Ann or the other paupers wish to visit us, let them come around by the road.
 Now, Jack, what harm does it do?" said his wife in her gentle way. "It is full a mile farther by the road, and poor McDougall is too rheumatic to take any extra steps, and her visits to us and my little gifts to her are the only solace she has,
 You make nuisance of her," said [ Viola, who was feeling hard and bitter against the whole world in spite of her naturally sunny disposition. "You can't imagine how it mortifies me- she went on, ito hear her tell folks you are just like sister to her, and see her rush up to you, when you chance to meet in pub lie, and greet you with all the familiarity of an intimate friend. And that short cut through the alders," here her voice grew hard with misery as she thought of George, who had once kept it well worn with his frequent calls but now never designed to use it, "that shortcut is nuisance, as Jack says, and I wouldn't keep 1t open for the benefit of tramps and paupers any longer"
 "Why, Vio1a!" said Jean in surprise, stwhat ails you to-day? You know it would break poor McDougall's heart to close that path, and you have always been so kind to her, too."
 But they had now reached the house, A. l~. ~xyS% %1aS Vr% pausing to reply.
 The next day she threaded her way through the winding alder-bordered patch in search of wild asters, she said; | but if so, she forgot to gather any, and was sitting disconso1ately on log by the old spring, when Mary Ann, in pur- suit of gold thread, ran upon her. But for once she had no smile or merry small talk for the poor old creature who, after a vain attempt at conversation, went on her way disconsolately.
 That girl ain't well, ," mumbled the | old woman, as she sank down to rest near the gate which opened on the highway. "She won't take pennyroyal nor catnip she don't act right, and she's as cross as bearpoor creeter!" And the old crone shook her head forebodingly.
 Nov, who is that comin'?" she asked herself, as she heard a heavy step ap- preaching from the highway. She craned her neck and strained her dim eyes in the direction of the sound
 George Wayne!" she chuck1ed, her l face lighting up with a sudden inspira- I tion 1 Then she did strange thing. She l quickly jerked off one of her rubbers and hid in beneath her shawl. then began 1 to moan and complain.
 Why, Auntie, what's the trouble?'' asked George, leaning on the gate and gazing down upon her Quizzically. 1 .Oh,'' she whined. holding out her rubberless foot for his inspection, they was bran new only last month, and now ones gone. dasn't go home with out it, and dasn't go back for it and wet my foot.
 You are in bad fix, surely, Auntie,' ,'' said he, jocosely, 'but why can't find the missing rubber for you? It can't be far off. :"
 "Oh, no,'' said she eagerly. If you | ASA turn to the left till you reach the spring, ] it will be all right, I'm sure, for didn't go step beyond there, and thank you kindly, sir
 After making sure he was out of sight she replaced her rubber and settled back comfortably upon her knoll with self satisfied smile. He'll find her. and never lied once,' she chuckled. shaking with silent mirth.
 She waited patiently a half hour or more, when she heard the low happy voices of the young couple approaching. but before they reached her, they turned back toward the house. She could see through the tangled alders that his arm was about Viola's waist and she heard him murmur, T shall always love this I little shortcut for your dear sake. Then they disappeared, totally forgetting the 1 old woman whose little scheme had re- stored their happiness H Housekeeper,