The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1906-06-29
IN, like a flock o pigeons in rm


old maids are coming tonight"
"The two old maids" said Darrell
"'Tis sign an a wonder"
"Oh, great change has come over
them" Polly went on. Its all the
work o. the teacher. You know he
really coaxed them into sliding with
him last winter"
II heard of it. The gay Philanderv'
said Darrell, laughing merrily. "Ah,
he's wonder with the maidensv'
Il know it," said Polly, with sigh.
Trove was idly brushing the mat of
grass with a walking stick. He loved
fun, but he had no conceit for this
kind of banter.
ut was one of my best accomplish
ments," said he, blushing. 81 taught
them that there was really world out
side their house and that men were
not all as lions, seeking whom they
might devour"
Soon the widow and her boys came,
their pals full of berries.
"We cannot shake hands with you,"
said Mrs. Vaughn, her fingers red with
the berry stain.
BLOOD o. the old earthv' said OAR
rel. "How fares the clock?"
"It's too slow, Polly says"
"Ah, time lags when love Is on the
J way" Darrell answered.
"Foolish child! A little while ago
she was a baby, an now she is In
love-"
"Ah, let the girl love-" said Darrell,
patting the red cheek of Polly, SAN
bless God she loves a worthy lad"
"You'd better fix the clock" said
Polly, smiling. at is too fast now"
$50 is the beat o. thy heart" Darrell
answered, a merry look in his eyes,
FAN the clock is keeping pace"
Trove got up, with a laugh, and
went away, the boys following.
''I'm worried about him." the widow
whispered "For long time he hasn't
been himself"
Its the trouble, poor lad! Twill
soon be over" said Darrell hopefully.
There were now tears in the eyes of
Polly.
81 do not think he loves me any
more" said she, her lips trembling
Speak not so, dear child. Indeed he
loves thee"
II have done everything to please
him." said Polly in broken words, her
face covered with her handkerchief
IT wondered what was the matter
with you, Polly" said her mother ten
Derby.
"Dear, dear childr' said the tinker,
rising and patting her head. "The
chaplet on thy brow an thee weep
ing. fairest flower of ALL"
~ have wished that, I was deadw
The words came in little moan be-
tween sobs.
Because love hath led thee to the
great river o. tears? Nay, child: tits a
winding river an crosses all the roads,"
He had taken her handkerchief and
with a tender touch dried her eyes.
snow / can see thee smiling, an thy
Iasnes, cnlru--rney are nKe the spray o.
the fern tip when the dew is on it."
Polly rose and went away into the
~buse. Darrell wiped his eyes, and the
Iidow sat, her chin upon her hand,
looking down sadly and thoughtfully.
Dafrel was nrSt TO speak.
did it ever occur to We, Martha
Vaughn, this child o. thine is near q
woman, but has seen nothing O. the
worldT'
II think of that often" said she, the
mothers feeling in her voice.
"Well, If l understand him, it's
point of honor with the boy not to
pledge her to marriage until she has
seen more o. life an made sure of her
own heart. Now, consider this: Let
her go to the school at Hillsborough,
an I'll pay the cost"
The widow looked up at him without
speaking.
I'm an old man near the end o. the
journey, an we've known me many
years." Darrell went on. There's MOTH
ing can be said against 1t. Nay; I'll
have no thanks. Would We thank the
money itself, the bits o. paper? No;
nor Roderick Darrell, who in this bust
ness is no more worthy. o. gratitude.
Hush. Who comes?
1t was Polly herself in short red
skirt. her arms bare to the elbows. She
began to busy herself about the house.
Too bad you took off that pretty
dress, Polly" said Trove when he re-
turned.
She came near and whispered to him.
"This," said she, looking down sad
ly, sis like the one l wore when you
first came"
"Well, first thought of your arms"
said he. "They were so lovely! Then
of your eyes and face and gown, but
now / think only Of the one thing
Polly"
The girl was happy now and went
ON with the work. singing, while Trove
lent hand.
A score of people came up the hill
from Pleasant valley that night. Tunk
Went after the old maids and came
with them in the chaise at supper time.
There were two wagon loads Of young
people, and before dusk men and their
wives came sauntering up the road
way and in at the little gate.
Two or three of the older men wore
suits of black broadcloth. the stock and
rolling collar-relics of "old decency"
back in Vermont or Massachusetts or
In, r,e,l,