Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-12-15
GIL 0 SEE GALL

steo-a little innocent looking pat of butter! But, then, 1t was strong that is, John said 1t was whereat Mrs. John helped herself generously and said it was good enough for her, and, she couldn't afford to pay 40 cents a pound for butter when she could get good for 80 cents.
 Then John inquired ifshe didn't give her money enough to pay her grocery , bill and said it wasn't good enough for him.
 John began to get together his fish poles, flies and other traps which he wanted to take away, for he and six. other young men were having a half holiday and had engaged the boat Bon- nie Belle for an afternoons fishing on Great lake. m
 He worked hard, this young fellow as foreman in close, stuffy factory, and a3half days recreation in the pure. air was a rare event with him. But somehow he did not enjoy the pros- ], .pect very much after that war of. l words at the dinner table He wished. 1 he hadn't spoken as he did. If May would only come and help him! But ] she held herself aloof while he was get ting ready. She had intended to slip some lemons and sugar into the basket. A pail of lemonade would be so re- l freshing, imbibed in the shady glen after the row across the lake. But now. if he wanted lemons, be could help himself she thought, after the way he had talked. s 1 He was n long time getting ready, and she wondered, as he fumbled with I the lines and hooks, if he really would 1 go off without kissing her. Her anger 1 would have melted in moment at the 1 first pacific sign from him, but she ,wouId-not beg for kiss-no! a l He started for the door. She had a great mind to follow him there, but ispride kept her back. He was outside I the door now She hastened after him. If he looks around I'll let him see I'm 1 ready to make up,' she thought But he did not, and so Mrs. John went back l to. the little, dining room and began to clear the table, feeling herself a much injured wife and rather glad, on the whole, that she hadn't given in.
 But gradually better feelings prevail ed. Scarlet cheeks faded back to pink ] again, and temper frightened eyes be came dim with tears. She watched the clock anxiousIy How slowly the hours passed ,a3, 4, 1.5 o'clock! 'In an hour hestwfH be < here, 7 she said to herself joyously, and 1 she hustled round to prepare an extra nice supper. She even went to the cor ner grocery for a pound of the forty l cent butter.
 lt Six o'clock came, but no John. Half past CT. She was walking the floor in her unrest and now went out and I stood at the gate She could see knots 1 of people talking excitedls along the 1 street. 4 freckled faced boy running by stopped.
 Dyer hear bout the axident? The Bonnie Belle struck by al squalI, and seven men drowned. z
 Whats that?'' asked a feeble old man, coming out of the next house. "vho says my boys drowned? Why, he can swim. There ain't water enough in Great lake to drown John I Carpenter. y
 1 The wind blew his scanty locks over his wrinkIed old face. His faded blue aheyes wandered piteously round and
 finally rested on Johns wife.
 Don't you believe il" he said trem- ulously, patting her arm with his un- certain, shaking hand. I But apparently she did not hear him l DrpwnedI Her John and she let him 5 go to his death without kiss! sl The freckled faced boy looked it her uneasily, digging bis bare toes into the ground. \ 4I didn't know as Mrs. Carpenter q was along said he apologetfcally, for getting for the moment his own impor- tance as the bearer of news in view of }. her silent misery.
 Some one took hold of the wife and 1 led her into the house She groped . her. way like a blind person. They said she had better lie down on the lounge awhile, and she obeyed She could not see anything now. T am dying" she thought and was happy in thinking so. x Il Then she doated away into dark ness, on and on, for long time ap- parently. Finally she saw a light, and opening her eyes saW-yes, it was l John!
 Was she indeed in the other world, and was John waiting for her? She l'spoke his name.
 "She's coming to. She knows me, 7 N said the familiar voice
 But how far off it sounded! And So did her own voice when she spoke.
 Where ana I?'' she asked faintIy.
 ''Here, dear. in the dining room, , said John again.
 He was on the floor beside the lounge, his face close to her. Then lips met in long kiss.
 'John," she said solemnly, '7 thought we were both in another world
 "I did have pretty close call, said he, "and it was hard work bringing you back.
 '"The others P she asked tearfully.
 ''Willt and I. are the only ones left of
 the seven,'' he replied, with a sob.
 "Oh, John! It might have been -E youE' she cried, throwing her arms around his neck.
 Just then feeble old man who was sitting close to his son said fondly, in