Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-09-22


 cried Enter"
 A small room made merry by freight dancing in bookcase doors.
 A desk, and at the desk woman with gold glasses and strong stopped shoul- ders
 Are you M. Boswell" Bronton de- manded duly for the drum was deafen- ing him, Strong and sweet, strong and sweet"
 Certainly" The rising infection suggested an enquiry as to whom he might be. As though at roll call Bron- tons heart answered that it was pleas ant in here after the chill. and din out side, that the fair sweet face and the strong hand standing at pause-even the deep chair by her desk seemed good to him. He remembered that she had called him dear many times and it seemed very good. This woman with the glad, gray eyes was his friend. And he promised himself that after this when things went wrong he would come here and sit in this chair and look at the fire. and listen to the scratching of her pen and all would be well with him. Then the infection in her certainly" made it. self felt and he replied to it placidly. T am the young girl you have been corresponding with"
 Miss Boswell removed her glasses and looked at him thoughtfully. Every manly line in his well-marked face: every tired one. She spoke kindly:
 Pardon me if the saying sounds harsh, but when bearded man of 30- odd announces himself as young girl, he lays himself open to the charge of inc sanity or intoxicaticn'
 "I am neither drunk nor crazy" and he sighed contentedly.
 Nor a young girl?"
 "No. Nothing but man who," he paused to drink in the deep peace of her presence and she completed quietly, "who has seen wild day on the floor. May be you will not mind resting a bit while finish this sketch before the color fades" She pushed bell. "Only ten minutes.' Her voice trailed away, her shoulders stopped again to her rapid writing. Not too absorbed to call his attention to the tray the maid placed on corner of her desk. Coffee, oysters, hot rolls, cold ham-Bronton had eaten nothing since breakfast. But shouldn't eat your salt"
 She swung her pen crosswise to shove a cup toward him.
 No salt in the coffee Drink 1t. You need it. And Bronton surrendered his tired soul to her soothing. It was good to be here, and nothing else mattered. Good to be here, watched over by those kind, gray eyes, ministered to by that strong right hand, soothed by this sunny silence This was the woman he had needed all his life and he had found her.
 The ten minutes ran into silent half hour, and after he had finished his sup- per Bronton lay back in his chair rest ing as only tired man or tired horse can rest, unconscious of the occasional shrewd glances flashed upon him from behind those gold glasses. A rustic of paper, a brisk we'll broke the spell. Bronton drew deep breath. Tt is all right" he said, contentedly, I'm Lot tie"
 She took off her glasses and looked at him. "I beg your pardon?" The tone made him sit up. He explained quickly. "Lottie, that you have been writing those strong, sweet letters to. I'm Lottie C.: Bronton 70 He pulled out a card.
 The gray eyes went through him like cold steel.
 Pardon me if the saying sound harsh, you are also scoundrel."
 "Scoundrel? I! I-no, no. thought you were man."
 "A year ago"
 ''I know. But-but- Lord, didn't heed the distant drum. Iwent on believ- ing you to be a man.
 "An uncommonly scaly one?"
 ''Oh, no. Wait. Oh, might as we'll tell you the truth. I.thought you were scamp and meant to show you up.''
 "And you showed yourself up?" A flicker of fun warmed her eyes. Bronton laughed joyously and laid his hand on her shoulder.
 "Own up Have you never doubted my girlhood?"
 t'It has occurred to me occasionally that If you were girl you were the craziest one ever created"
 "Ah, had you, too, refused to heed the distant drum Don't you think you are about as deep in the mud as am in the mire?''
 Mot at all"
 Then give me hand to help me out. | Please, Molly, I'm tired. Dog-tired."
 T know you are. So am I. Let's sit down.
 Bronton sat down, retaining her hand. ''Thts is what call being comfortable, ' he said
 This is what call being incorrigible, : Molly retorted, withdrawing her hand to the arm of her chair.
 Bronton stretched out his arm and l laid one finger across the back of her hand Heed the drum.'' he admon- ished in tone of deep satisfaction. Heed the drum, 1t is beating reveille for your happiness and mine--and 1t Is no | longer distant drum" AMBlDExTEROUS PEOPLE. l