Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1905-12-28

bought a kettle too-on to boil. How
busy ne was, how happy. how important
He sat down before the red Goals 4
make the toast, holding il at exactly TIL
right distance. so that it would brown
without burning
He almost fancied himself back In the
! old home: he could see the dresser Gov
cred with blue plates and dishes, tbs
white-washed walls gay with pictures
the wide old-fashioned fireplace, on one
side of which sat Mary, rocking a cradle
A sob choked in his throat; if the baby
had only lived wealth would have been
Of some use, the money that he did not
care about for himself would have been
a joy and delight TO spend on his son.
His eyes Travelled TO the window: he did
not see the elaborate lace curtains or the
dreary London street beyond, but over
row of pink geraniums in scarlet pots.
he saw through diamond-shaped panes
a cottage garden bright with flowers; the
singing Of birds rose above the roar Of
the traffic
A strong smell Of burning brought him
back 20 the present The toast was on
fire. He took another slice and devoted
all his thoughts to It. When II was
cooked TO perfection, he buttered II and
put it down in the fender to keep hot.
Now the kettle was singing loudly; he
heated the pot, put in a generous supply
Of tea and was just about to pour the
water over it. when the door opened
With a guilty start he looked, expect
ing to see Perkins. However. 1t was the
doctor who stood there, and, before he
had time to speak. John Martin IN
burst of confidence which surprised him
self, explained matters to him. And the
doctor, who, under all professional dig
nifty. was the most tender-hearted Of
men, understood. He saw the pathetic
side, he comprehended the longing to do
something for the loved one, the inabil-
ity imposed by wealth, the perhaps
ludierous but thoughtful way which love
had found out And there was no trace
of amusement in voice or face as he ex-
planned that he had called again, as
promised, to see the patient.
She is very much better" he con-
tinued 'and | am sure she would enjoy |
the tea you have made for her far more
than anything else she could have | ]
will tell the nurse you are going to have
tea upstairs with Mrs. Martin this after
noon"
The doctor was certainly a friend |
worth having; how much he explained |
10 the nurse is not known but she was |
not visible when John proudly carried |
the tray upstairs. and 1t may have also
been owing to the doctors maneuvering
that Perkins did not appear And when
John Martin was safely settled by his
wife's bedside with a little table before
lin and tea, his tea, upon it, the doctor
iaid good-by and went As he closed the
loor behind him he heard Mrs Martin
'ay, in tones Of enjoyment: why, John
lear, what lovely tea! Where did YOU
yet it? II has some taste in IT, not like
hat pale-colored stuff Mrs. Humphrey
.lways orders"
And he heard the old mans proud re-
,ly: 81 bought II myself, Mary, one shil-
ing and sixpenee a pound. "A Powerful
Blend. syrupy and full favored was on
he label II is good, and the toast too.
sn't It, old woman
The doctor smiled, but his eyes were
cry tender-looking. "A Powerful
blend" he said to himself as he shut the
ront door behind him: surely love.
dded to anything, makes that -
Magazine.