Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-03-20

|
 the crowds. the immensity of the town
 appalled, me.
 ] At John Fuller's l found that Hope had gone home, and, while they tried to detain me longer, came back on the night boat of the same day. Hope and passed each other in that journey, and I did not see her until the summer preceding my third and last year in college. the faculty having allowed me to take two years in one. Her letters had come less frequently, and when she came saw grand young lady of fine manners, her beauty shaping to an ampler mold, her form strengthening to the dignity of womanhood.
 At the depot our hands were cold and trembling with excitement, neither of us, fancy, knowing quite how far to go in our greeting. Our correspond ence had been true to the promise made mother. There had not been word of love in it, only now and then suggestion of our tender feeling. We hesitated only for the briefest moment. Then put my arm about her neck and kissed her.
 T am so glad to see you." she said. We'll, she was charming and beauti- full, but different, and probably not more different than was I. She was no longer the laughing, simple man. nered child of Faraway, whose heart was as ones hand before him in the daylight. She had now a bit of the woman's reserve-her prudence, her skill in hiding the things of the heart. loved her more than ever, but some- how I felt it hopeless; that she had grown out of my life She was much in request among the people of Hills borough, and we went about good deal and had many callers. But we had little time to ourselves. She seem ed to avoid that and had much to say of the grand young men who came to call on her in the great city.
 Anyhow it all hurt me to the soul and even robbed me of my sleep A better lover than would have made an end of dallying and got at the truth, come what might. But I was of the Puritans and not of the cavaliers, and my way was that which God had man had ever keener eye for lovely woman or more heart to please her. A mighty pride had come to me, and had rather have thrown my heart to vultures than see it an unwelcome of fering. And I was quite out of courage with Hope She, dare say, was as much out of patience with me.
 She returned in the late summer, and went back to my work at college in hopeless fashion that gave way under the whip of strong will.
 made myself as contented as possi- ble. I knew all the pretty girls and went about with some of them to the entertainments of the college season. At last came the long looked for day of my graduation, the end of my stu dent life.
 The streets of the town were throng- ed, every student having the college colors in his coat lapel. The little con- pany of graduates trembled with fright as the people crowded into the church, whispering and flaming them selves. in eager anticipation. As the former looked from the two side pews where they sat many familiar faces greeted them-the faces of fathers and mothers aglow with the inner light of pride and pleasure. the faces of many they loved come to claim a share in the glory of that day. found my own, I remember, but none of them gave me such help as that of Uncle ED. How ever might fare, none would feel the pride or disgrace of. 1t more keenly than he. I shall never forget how he turned his head to catch every word when ascended the platform.
 As I warmed to my argument could see him nudging the arm of David, who sat beside him, as if to say, There's the boy that came over the hills with me in pack basket" When I stopped moment. groping for the next word, he leaned forward, em- bracing his knee firmly as if intending to draw off boot. It was all the as- sistance he could give me When the exercises were over I found Uncle ED by the front door of the church waiting for me.
 Willie, ye done nobler' said he.
 Ibid my very best. Uncle Eb.' I re- piled.