Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-10-20

George COttle, with an angry retort, had called to his dog, started the hogs and was striding off on the trail. leav- 1 ing Nelson staring after him.
 He was angry with his neighbor for what he had said, and repeated to him. 1 self again and again that he would pay no attention to such idle talk.
 But where was she going with Os- born?" he asked himself Again and again he urged on the tired hogs, but never had herd seemed to move so slowly. Cottle, despite his efforts to put aside the suspicious aroused by his neighbours gossip, was uneasy as he neared the clearing on, which stood the cabin.
 What "a fool to worry this way when I know Anna's waiting for me with supper in the cabin" he said. as he came out of the redwoods at the clearing.
 The last words choked him and a chilling fear, a presentiment of evil, seemed to grip him at the heart.
 Instead of a smoking chimney and cheerful light gleaming from the win dow, as usual. the cabin was dark and without sign of life.
 Forgetting the hogs he ran across the clearing. He struck match at the I cabin door and his heart chilled with dread
 The door was latched on the outside.
 He paused for half a minute, afraid to lift the latch; then tore it open and went in The cabin was empty.
 He lighted 8 lamp and looked round. The table was set for supper. but there was only one plate, one cup. one knife and fork.
 My God, what has happened?" he cried in agony, picking up from the plate piece of torn newspaper on the margin of which were scribbled few words. He stepped closer to the light and read:
 Dear GeorgeI have gone with MT. Osborn. just couldn't stand it any longer. I was so lonely, and you don't love me any more, so you won't care. Forgive me if you can. ANNA.
 "P. S.-Your supper is in the oven. ]"
 "I'll follow them, though it be 10000 miles, and kill them both" he cried, starting for the door. Before he crossed the threshold he turned back, dropped into chair and with the pitt full little note spread between his trembling fingers read his wife's mes sage again and again.
 His anger softencd as he read. He began to understand what was written between the lines as plainly as the pencil scrawl itself
 Poor child, poor child,'' he nut tered "She couldn't stand it any lon ger. She thought I didn't love her. Oh, if she could only know how do really love her. Poor. misguided child, I didn't understand her loneliness. God forgive me"
 Rain began to pelt upon the roof and faint gray square showed between the black outlines of the window. but George Cottle heard nothing, felt noth ing, realized nothing but the bitter sor row and regret that were in his heart
 The light grew stronger, the rain stopped and the sun came. out warm and bright. Cottle looked up from the table. i.fai. s,spsqe-r-ses r.s
 Christmas morning" he said. with a catch in his throat. Christmas morning-how can get through this day?"
 Hark! Was that the sound of buggy wheels or was he mad? Voices. too! He stepped to the door and flung it open
 Outside were his wife and Glenn os borne.
 You, Anna, you have come back. he cried, dazedly The girl on the doorstep looked white and care worn.
 q have come, of course, George" she said, with tremor in her voice Haven't you forgiven me? I'm so sorry. Don't you want me back?"
 .Do you love him?' he asked.
 Love who? George. dear, what has happened? Are you mad?"
 "But you ran away, eloped. I found your note I don't. understand. Why are you here?"
 Clem Osborn came up in time to hear the last words.
 What's all this nonsense. Cottle?. he asked Mrs. Cottle and have been to Smithalls dance. We'd have been back sooner, but the bridge is down over the creek. That warm rain last AlEuL udS DIOQS tAS tAA " tsSlth c v CAA geance and the snow's half gone al ready. Mrs Cottle's wet and a He never finished the sentence.
 George, you didn't think ' cried 6 little woman, throwing herself at George Cottle's feet.
 Anna. my darling. did. Forgive me. forgive me. ! thought you had gone
 He raised her ;n his arms and stepped into thescabin
 ''It strikes me- said Osborn. clos fng the door softly behind them, that this is an excellent morning for a deer hunt and that three are one too many in that cabin just now"
 There was many Christmas dinner in California that day more elaborate than the one on. Bald mountain at which smoked pork took the place of turkey, but you would have needed to search the state from Siskiyou to San