Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-03-06
THE RETURN OF THE TROPICAL
BY GEORGE BARrLEY

[ the tan at the corners of his eyes, his ! forehead white when he pushed lack hts soft felt hat, leaned over the rail of small pleasure" steamer that made short trips between Bar Harbor and { Jonesport twice and thrice week. The man seemed somehow out Of place among the storekeeprs and small tradesmen, who had brought babies, bot ties, and biscuits, and were having an outing.
 The little steamer kept close in shore after leaving the harbor, and the man looked up at the giant red cliffs, their summit crowned with crisp salt grass, as if every landmark was familiar His hand was brown and sinewy, like himself, and the cigar he held he dropped overheard as the tiny craft came in sight 1 of Sidbridge.
 There is no pier there: the leviathan craft only stops there when ordered. To get ashore the boat gently noses the shingle and passengers ignominiously walk the plank"
 The man, looking shOrewardS, took out ! | fresh cigar, and, as it would not light. he held it in his hand, looking still shore wards, and his hand-essentially the hand of a worker-trembled. A rent in the cliff cuts Sidbridge in half.
 Looking up from the sea one sees hn,,cnc nithnr eiin nf thn GS Q [ square lowered stone church crowns all, As has been said, there is no pier or landing stage. and bare legged little | fellows were rolling about on umber oolored nets spread out to dry. l Good God"-and there seemed no sayor of irreverence as the man spoke the words, and his keen gray eyes were moist--" not speck of change-not a speck! No railway apparently, no pier. no anything. after 20 years! And I've come l2.000 miles to see you and find you just as left you!"
 "Eh--eh? It's my body that has grown old, not my heart"
 Do you get off here. sir?"
 Yes, purser, and look out for me on >your way back. What quaint old place this seems to be!'
 The purser laughed.
 They say of Sidbridge that no one ever dies there and no change has taken place for 50 years or more." "Ah. it's different on my side! I'm from the other side of the world" z Herbert Seaton walked the plank, the only passenger to alight, leaving buns and babies behind him. and, carrying his grip, he went up the main street looking keenly from hand to hand. The names on the few stores were fa- miliar to him. He nodded and gave Good day!" to an old lady summing her. self upon the doorstep, who returned his greeting with no sign of recognition "'The old order changeth, giving place l,a D. to the new, ! And God fulfills himself in many ways, he quoted and walked on. grip in hand his eyes glancing hither and thither.
 Behind the coast guards cottage is q small square, You enter it from the main street by . narrow passage tha: looks like a cul dc sac. but it opens ou! into tiny quadrangle, where the sound of the sea scarcely penetrates.
 The houses-all of one pattern--ars lime washed and tiled. with green shut ters, and the rust from the hinges has stained them almost red in patches.
 And the man made his way towards one with feet that Jagged. The green shutters, the hall mark of responsibility hung, ,awry, and their hinges were rusted. l He turned to the next house and knocked at the door.
 At the house of his quest the front door swung to and fro.
 Can you telp me where Mrs. Haygarth has moved to-"
 "I have never heard the name. sir"
 Did not Mrs. Haygarth--her name was Radford before her marriage-come here to live on her wedding day?"
 "Radford is a common name here, sir There are three Margaret Radfords in | the parish now
 But the Margaret mean married the New York broker % years ago"
 That is long before my time, sir. But the broker. have heard. was killed on his wedding day"
 Give me the address of these Mar caret Radfords. I've been clean away for many years"
 The Yankee speech slipped back to the mans tongue. and the young woman laughed, for at first the man spoke with the twang of a foreigner.
 Well" she said. the laugh still upon her lips. there's Margaret who's gone clean away Margaret who bides to Saicombe. and the schule mistress-her what bides tew Peak schule.'
 What a bonny maid! Is that yours ! There. mite,"
 And he pus gold piece into the ready itlie palm.
 Who am to thank, sir?" Herbert Seaton.'
 And not a dnse of recognition came over the woman's face.
 He was as forgotten as if he'd never "bided.tew Sidbridee." and the woman he was talking to and he were sweet. hearts % years before. So he made his way to Margaret Rsd. ford who bided near the church. and finding the announcement that apart ments were to let. engaged a bedroom, and there was TO zrumbling about her terms. for the Australian had generosity all over him.
 Then Herbert Seatou made his way ul