Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-05-19
CHAPTER XVIII.


 N YEXT day Trove went home. He " took with him many souve- mir of his first term, Including
 scarf that Polly had knit for him and the curious things he took from the Frenchman Leblanc and which he retained partly because they were curious and partly because Mrs. Leblanc had, been anxious to get rid of them. He soon rejoined his class at Hillsborough, having kept abreast of 1t in history and mathematics by work after school and over the weeks end. He was content to fall behind in the classics, for they were easy, and in them his arrears gave him, no terror. Walking for exercise, he laid the plan of his tale and had written some bits of verse. Of an evening he went often to the Sign of the Dial and there read his lines and got friendly but severe criticism.
 "Is there anything you do not know?" Trove inquired.
 "NIuch." said the tinker. including the depth O me own folly. A man that displays knowledge hath need O more"
 Indeed, Trove rarely came for talk with Darrel when he failed to discover something new in him-a further reach of thought and sympathy or some un- suspected treasure of knowledge. The tinker loved laugh and would often search his memory for some phrase of bard or philosopher apt enough to pro. yoke it. Of his great store of knowl. edge he made no vainer use.
 Trove had been overworking. and about the middle of June they went for a week in the woods together. They walked to Aliens the first day and after a brief visit there went on in the deep woods. camping by pond in thick timbered hills. Coming to the lilied shore, they sat down awhile to rest. A hawk was sailing high above the still water. Crows began to call in the treetops. An eagle sat on dead pine at the waters edge and seemed to be peering down at his own shadow. Two deer stood in a marsh on the far ther shore looking over at them. Near by were the bones of some animal and the fresh footprints of panther. Sounds echoed far in the hush of the unbroken wilderness. ,-. "See, boy" said Darrel. with little gesture of his right hand, 'the theater O the woods! See the sloping hills, tree above tree. like winding galleries! Here is a coliseum old. past reckoning. Why, boy, long before men saw the Seven Hills it was old. Yet see how new it is, how fresh It's color. how strong its timbers. See the many seats, each with a good view, an the multi tude O the people, yet most O them are hidden. Ten thousand eyes are looking down upon us. Tragedies an come dies O the forest are enacted here. Many a thrilling scene has held the stage-the spent deer swimming for his life. the painter stalking his prey or leaping on it."
 "'Tis a cruel part" said Trove He Is the murderer of the play. I cannot understand why there are so many villains in its cast. Both the cat and the serpent bafiie me"
 Marry. boy. the world is a great school. an this little drama O the good God is part of it," said Darrel. An the play hath a great moral-thou shalt learn to use thy brain or die. Now, there may be many perils in this land O the woods. so many that all its peo- pie must learn to think or perish by them. A pretty bit O wisdom t Is, sor. IL keeps the great van moving ever moving-in the long way to per lection. Now. among animals a grow ing brain works the of its owner. sending them far on diverse errands until they are strong Mind thee. boy. perfection O brain an body Is the aim O nature. The cats paw an the ser pent-s coil are but the penalties O weakness an folly. The world Is for the strong. Therefore God Keep thee % or there be serPents will enter thy blood an devour thee-millions O them"
 They sat q little time in silence look ing at the shores of the pond
 Have you ever felt the love pas sions~ said Darrel.
 Well. there's a girl of the name Of Polly TrOve answered.
 -Ah. Polly. She O the rel lips an the dark eye.- said Dzrrel. smiling shes one of thOusand- He clappel his hand upon his knee merTiiy sni sang a sentimental couplet from an old Irish ballad
 Have ye won her affection boyT be added his hand on the boys arm
 T think I have
 God love thee. I'm glad to bear t. ' said the old man She is q living wonder. boy. q living wonder. an bad I thy yOgsh I'd give thee vOrTyi
 Since her motber cannot sGord to dO fl I v.h to se1i Der away to sctcol-- said Irove.
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