The Irish standard., 1905-12-09
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The Hermit !
IN A Story Of the Wilderness IL
y By CHARLES CLARK MUM ~
Author of Pocket Isand" Uncle Terry"
ard Rockhaven''
CHAPTER Xv.-CoNr1SuEp.
Copy right. 1908. By Lee and Shepard,


"I'm sorry" he responded, smiling.
and raising his hat, land yet, I'm glad.
I've been on a tour over my old haunts,
ending at the schoolh ouse, and think
ing Of you"
You find things changed. pre-
sume," she answered coolly, now her.
self and ignoring his reference.
why, yes, Of course. Everything
seems to have grown smaller, includ
ing the old schoolhouse. That seemed
mere turkey coop. You have been
after berries. see," he added, as she
made no reply to this.
why. yes" flashing curious look
at him, country girls always so after
berries, rake hay, and drive the COWS,
| and I'm still country girl, you see" /.
Martin laughed. II hear you are also
a schoolma'am now" he rejoined,
thinking it wise to change the subject;
where do you teach?"
I'm the same turkey coop you just
! visited" she answered, smiling.
why, that's where we used to go
| to school together; that's fl. my. "
Then, as she made no response, he con-
| tinued: 1--WE been all over the OLD
farm, and up through the laurel pas
ture where we used to gather arbutus
and back by the old cider-mill. 1t
made me feel like boy again"
THAT was pleasant" she replied in
a lack-interest tone: ARE you thin
ing of becoming farmer again."
"Hardly"-a little piqued at her
GOODNESS; i've a notion, though, ct
building dam on the farm and rails.
ing trout. That's been hobby OF
mine for many years. Do you enjoy
teaching school, Angler" he asked sud-
denly, realizing that old memories and
his plans failed to interest her.
why, yes, until winter comes. Its
| quite a long walk"
A pause. an infection. mere shad-
ing Of tone will give keen observer
the key to another's feelings. and Mar
tin, as he glanced down at the shape.
ly, calico-clad girl beside him, read her
thoughts and saw her life as it was in
an instant. They had been as youth.
full lovers. all in all to one another
parting with fond promises-he ap-
rarently to forget his, and she to CON
tinue her simple life as pure and opcr
as the brook he had that day followed
And now on his return, she would not
even by allusion to old occasions, all
NIT they had ever been aught to ony
another. Had she wished to renew tho
old ties, or awaken his interest again
he had given her ample chance. and ye
she ignored it. 1t was pride of thu
most indomitable sort, and while i
hurt, he felt like taking off his hat 4,
it. Then, as the history of her life, a
related by DR.. Sol, returned to him Oh
the instant-her heritage kept from
her, a dependent on Aunt Comfort ant
obliged to walk a miis to and from
that by-road schoolhonse each day
year after year, to earn pittance-th,
pathos Of 1t all smote him. He coul,
buy half the village and have none,
left, and she whom he had many timc
held close in his arms. and to whom
he had whispered loving words. wa
walking beside him gowned in faded
calico and wearing WORKOUT shoes.
Worse than that, from his viewpoin,
now that he had returned. anxious tt
atone for years of neglect ana renew
tho old lovership, she would not ever
admit that it ever existed.
"Angie," he said. after long pause
VI came near calling on you the even
ing arrived. The doctor was out AM
I walked up to your house. but heart
singing, Gnd concluded you had callers.
well, why didn't you." she an
swered. smiling; you are not bashful
are you?"
''No, but didn't feel tike intruing
I stood under the naples. however. ant
enjoyed your singing few moments.
But even this brought no response
and fully conscious now that she in
tended to avo'l all reference TO OLE
memories. he oegan speaking Of hi
plans for trout raising.
Wont you come in?" she asker
pleasantly. when the house WI:
reachedi aunt Comfort will be gla,
to see you"
mo, thank you," he answered in tn,
same tone. mot now" And. raising
his hat, he turned away.