The Washington times., 1905-08-20

dow with novel to make use of the
last moments of daylight. He stood
before her without speaking, until she
raised her eyes and said sharply:
We'll, Sam. what's the ma tter?1
lie was not quick either of thought or
speech, He answered;
oh. nothin' Only"
only what" she snapped.
Won't you go and take a walk by the
Blun2''
She threw, down her book at once. She
liked exercise and fresh air. and al
ways walked with pleasure by the lake.
Sam was to her such q nullity that She
enjoyed his company almost as much as
being alone She was ready in a mo-
ment and a short walk brought then
to the little open place reserved for
public use. overlooking the great fresh
water sea. There were a few lines of
shade trees and a few seats. and moth
ing more; Yet the plantation was called
Bluff Park, ana I was much frequented
on holidays and Sundays by nurses and
their charges. 1t was in no sense u
fashionable resort. or Maud would nev-
er have ventured there in company with
her humble adOrer. But among the 10
vial puddIers and bTakemen that took
the air there, il was we'll enough to
have an escort so devoted and so mus
cular. So pretty a woman could scarce
~ have walked alone in Bluff Park with
out insulting approaches. Maud would
hardly have nodded to Sleeny on Algou-
quin avenue. for fear some millionaire
might see it casually, and scorn them
both. But on the Bluff she was safe
from such accidents. and she sometimes
even took his arm. and made him tos
happy 10 talk. They would walk to-
sether for an hour he dumb with au-
dacious hopes that paralyzed his speech.
and she dreaming of things thousands
Of miles away.
This evening he was even more than
usually silent. Maud. after she has
worn her reverie threadbare, noticed his
speechlessness. and. fearing he was
about to renew the subject which was
so tiresome. suddenly stopped and said:
What splendid sunset. Did yoI
evez see anything like it?"
Yes, he said. with his gentle drawI
Less set here. and look at tt"
He took his seat on one of the iron
benches painted green. and decorated
with castings OF grapes and vine leaves
She sat down beside him and gazed out
over the placid water. on which the
crimson clouds east a mellow glory. The
sky seemeI like another sea, stretching
off into infinite distance and strewn
with continents Of fiery splendor. Maud
looked straight forward to the clear
horizon line, marking the flight of ships
whose white sails were dark against the
warm brightness of the iIlumined water.
But no woman ever looked so straight
beside her. and she knew. without NOV
ing her eyes from the spectacle Of the
sunset. that Sam was gazing fxedIy al
her with pain and trouble In his face,
At last. he said. in a timid, choking
voice:
.'Mattie.'
She did not turn her face. but an
swered:
IF # amt too much trouble. Ia like
to have you call me Miss when we're
alone. You'll be forgetting yourself and
calling me Matte before other people
before YOU know Il"
Hold on" he burst out. Don't talk
to ne that way tonight can't stand
it."
She glanced at him in surprise. His
face waz pale and disordered; he was
twisting his fingers as II he would break
them
Your temper seems to be on the
move. Mr.. sIeeny- Wed better go home"
she said quietly, drawing her shawl
about her.
Don't 90 till I tell you something"
he stammered hastily
7 have no curiosity to hear what you
have TO say she said, rising from her
seat.
1T amt what you think-it amt about
met
Her curiosity awolte. and she sat down
again SIeeny sat twisting his fingers.
growing pale and red by turns. At last
in q tremulous voice. he said:
Il was there today
She stared at him an instant and
sad;
where
"ah. I was there. and l seen you.