The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1904-12-09
u moment in lie world.

SudGenl he found himself up
asain5. a high board fence with a
swinging p.cAet gale in 1.-THE goose
had disappeared. It was raining tor
rents now. He opened the gate and
stepped inside. There was woman
there-a tall slender woman dressed
in black, with a big flapping hat She
was feeding the geese AS John Hous-
ton looked at her he thought she
might be 30, or even 40, for the hair
was dead gray under the black hat.
But she carried the grace and spright-
liness OF her prime in her 1.-THE move
ments and vibrant voice as she called
the geese about her.
Il beg your pardon, maam," said
John houston, -"
"ohl' she said, turning sharply, ARE
you the man who frightened my geese
so?"
I'm afraid | am said John.
But you are wet, she said, quickly,
noting the disheyeled condition of the
man, ITS a perfect downpour. Won't
you come in and dry your clothes a
bit?'
John Houston did not hesitate,
Without realizing it, he was thinking
of rheumatism and of the desolate
room at the inn. He passed through
the heat kitchen into the living-room.
And such roomi He had never
thought to see its like in MapletoR.
Long, low, with blazing fire at one
end, it was filled with surprises of
easy lounging places, divans and cush-
ions.
Make yourself at home, said the
woman, motioning toward the blazing
fire, "and will have Sarah brew you
warm drink You are chilled to the
bone"
When she came back with a steam
ing cup on a little tray he was stand
ing before the fire. He had thrown
aside his cap and heavy hunting jack
ct, and was holding in his hand pic
ture he had picked up from the table.
! The darkness of night had set in, and
with it the storm was increasing. The
blaze leaped up from the open wood
fire and shone on her as she entered
A woman never shows to better advan.
tage than in the freight. The gray
hair was an illumination as 1t fell in
girlish locks on each side of the face
The face was flushed with delicate
pink; her hospitality had been good
for her-sne looked almost young.
For moment John Houston did MOI
speak There was look in his fac,
the men in Wall street would hav,
been surprised to see. His lips were {
little drawn and white, but when she
advanced to set the tray on the tabl,
before him he managed to bring a kinC
Of smile. He took step forward
"Agnes!" he cried, impetuously, "Ag
mes, don't you know me?" The tray
tumbled and the steaming liquid poured
over the white hand, but she did MOI
mind,
John" She was breathless. John
where did you come from?"
: Prom chasing your old gray goose,
J he said. "All my life since you left
me have been on wild-goose chase
! They seated themselves. Explanations
were in order, The hot drink was for
! gotten,
why did you run away from me
Agnes?" John Houston asked.
why? You must have known, John
Robert, my brother-he defaulted
We were SO proud OF him, mother and
|. We paid every cent OF that awful
indebtedness-then Robert died. We
came here to bury our grief and our
shame. was afraid of you-even Of
you, John-afraid of the disgrace"
John Houston rose aud stood before
the FIRE again. How handsome he
looked-a man is not really old at so
81 have been all my lie on a wild
goose chase" he cried. impetuously,
She rose. too, the old humorous ten,
derness on her face and In her eyes.
"But You have found your old gray
goose at last" she said Los Angeles
Times