Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-05-17

Nonsense" said the trustee. "1l
 answer for him."
 Cant tell what men'll do,' she per
 sisted weakly. "When was in Albany
 with Alma Haskins man came long
 an tried to pass the time O day with
 us. We jes' looked t'other way an
 didn't breton to hear him. It's awful
 to think what might 'a' happened"
 She wiped invisible tears with an
 embroidered handkerchief. The dear
 lady had spent good part of her life
 thinking of that narrow escape.
 'If he want too particular" said
 Miss Letitla, who had been laughing
 at this maiden fear of her sister.
 If he would mind hls business we
 we might take him for one week, "
 said Miss Samantha. She glanced in-
 quiringly at her sister.
 Letitia and Samantha Tower, "the two old maids," had but one near rela- tive. Ezra Tower, a brother, of the same neighborhood.
 There were two kinds of people in Faraway, those that Ezra Tower spoke to and those he didn't. The latter were of the majority. As forswearer of communication he was unrivaled. His imagination was very slaughter house, in which all who crossed him were slain. If they were passing he looked the other way and never even saw them again. Since the probate of his fathers will both sisters were of the number never spoken to. He was a thin, tall, sullen, dry and dusty man. Dressed for church of a Sunday, he looked as if he had been stored year in some neglected cellar His broad cloth had dingy aspect, his hair and beard and eyebrows the hue of cob web. He had voice slow and rusty, look arid and unfruitful. Indeed, it seemed as if the fires of hate and envy had burned him out.
 The two old maids, feeling the dis grace of it and fearing more, ceased to visit their neighbors or even to pass their own gate. Poor Miss Samantha fell into the deadly mire of hypochon- dria. She often thought herself very i'll and sent abroad for every medicine advertised in the county paper. She had ever faint look and thin, sick ly voice. She had the man fear-a deep distrust of men-never ceasing to be on her guard. In girlhood she had been to Albany. It's splendor and the conduct of one Alma Haskins, companion of her travels, had been ever since q day-long perennial topic of her conversation. Miss Letitia was more amiable. She had playful, cheery heart in her, a mincing and pre- else manner and a sweet voice. What with the cleaning, dusting and pre- serving they were ever busy. A fly, driven hither and thither, fell of ex- haustion if not disabled with broom. They were two weeks getting ready for the teacher. When at last he came that afternoon supper was ready, and they were nearly worn out.
 Here he ise one whispered sud denly from a window. Then, with last poke at her hair, Miss Letitia ad mitted the teacher. They spoke their greeting in a half whisper and stood near, waiting timidly for his coat and cap.
 No, thank you," said he, taking them to a nall. "I can do my own hanging, as the man said when he com I mitted suicide" .
 Miss Samantha looked suspicious and walked to the other side of the stove. by the silence of the room, much exaggerated by the ticking of the clock, Sidney Trove sat a moment looking around him. Daylight had be- gun to grow dim. The table, with its cover of white linen. was a thing to give one joy. A ruby tower of jelly, l snowy summit of frosted cake. red pond of preserved berries. a mound of pie and corduroy marsh of nince, steaming volcanoes of new bis ,uit and great heap of apple frit- ters lay in q setting of blue china. They stood a moment by the stove he two sisters-both trembling in this publicity. Miss Letitia had ler hand upon the teapot.
 Our tea is ready" said she present y, advancing to the table. She spoke n a low, gentle tone.
 ''This is grand!" said he, sitting down with them. T tell you we'll have fun before leave here"
 They looked up at him and then at each other, Letitia laughing silently, Samantha suspicious. For many years 'un had been thing far from their bought.
 "Play checkersf" he inquired.
 Afraid we couldn't" said Miss Le- itia, answering for both.
 "Old SledgeY'
 She shook her head, smiling.
 "l don't wish to lead you into reck- essness." the teacher remarked. but I'm sure you wouldn't mind being lappy."
 Miss Samantha had a startled look.
 ''In-in a-proper way" he added. Let's he joyful. Perhaps we could 'lay I spy.'-
 "Y-' they both exclaimed. laughing iilently.
 Never ate chicken pie like that" he ldded in all sincerity. If I were a ,oet I'd indite an ode written after ,ating some of the excellent chicken ,ie of the Misses Tower I'm going to ave some like it on my farm"
 Tn reaching 10 help himself be touch- d the teapot. withdrawing his hand luickly
 Burn yer said Miss Samantha.
 ssyes b.rt iirp If said ha a hft ern-