The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1906-08-03

carefully wiped all away. The color
Ing now became vivid; she could have
sworn that the bland face grew kind
er because OF her touch.
TO think of it," she said witt
bated breath. ITO think as | shoule
te alone with HIM"
The clock struck somewhere in IN.
distance. She was too conscientious
to spend time in alteration that should
be spent at work, SO she filled hei
needle and knelt beside the chair
steadfastly striving to forget the won
derful strangencss of her surround
ings. The exquisite darning appealed
to her; she put into 1t all her skill
II was slow, however; and when Lady
Danman came up again about hvs
O'Clock, only one-half was done.
You are doing 1t beautifully" said
the lady. Now, be of to Mrs. Dunn
parlor-you've done quite enough for
one day"
The spinster deliberately replaced
her needle in Il huswife of pale green
colored flowers. She turned toward
the bust, her eyes filled with an odd
usefulness.
My lady" she said, Il feel IN my
heart that you are kind-that you will
not believe that | ask for the more
sake of folly"
ASK anything you please; III an
swer II can"
About the head-do you believe
that Shakespeare was really like that
I'D be glad to know--to know would
save me from much ponderlng."
Lady Danman assumed her wlses!
look Most authorities agree; yes
believe IT,"
Il thank your ladyship most earn.
estly. | cannot describe the gratih
cation | have felt in being go near
In working almost as 1t were under
his supervision-in winning his ap.
prevail And 1t seemed to me as II
the distance betwixt him and me
were not 80 great. after all"
Lady Danman withdrew Ia q maze
OF thought Good Heavens!" she
said. The creatures either mad or o
genius! What remarkable thing
woman of her order knowing any.
thing of Shakespeare"
At home the old maid moved In q
dream of delight. Her cottage tina,
evening was transformed into a TO.
mantle grange. her garden into Ju.
liets garden, into the Temple garden.
into Sweet Anne Pages garden.
In the morning she rose early, sci
her house in order, and after break
fast went to a clough where Grass
OF Parnassus grew in marsh with
Ragged Robin and Water Speedwel
and tall bullrushes. The first flower
bad tempted her; Grass of ParnassuS
must surely be the finest to place De-
fore the efiigy of her genius. 1t grew
sparsely, two hours passed before she
found more than little posy. Thea
her skirts were draggled, her feet
wet, her wr'nkled cheeks cleaning
with the heat. But she felt no weari
ness now; In her veins flowed the
! blood OF immortal youth.
The groom found her curiously 81,
lent during the long drive in fac;
more than once she failed to reply tc
his observations upon the weather.
At Cresswell hall, after her dinner
with good Mrs. Dunn, she placed he.
| tribute on little table before the
no N htu n Inn
diately. The darning became poetry;
the chair was sacred as having been
In existence in the days when Shake
speare lived.
Lady Danman came up again in ths
afternoon, and stood for awhile in the
doorway, the old maid kneeling be-
side the great chair. diligently plying
the bright needle So engrossed was
Eunice in her WORK that her ladyship
moved to her side before she was
aware OF her presence.
Her eyes fell on the flowers before
the bust; she was still sensitive
enough to feel a curious pang, as II
something had thrust her back into
the distant past.
Grass OF Parnassus." she said.
How strange-how very strangel"
Eunice shipped the last thread The
works finished now" she said. i
hope and trust your ladyshipll be well
satisfied"
IL am more than satisfied" said
Lady Danman. II thank you'll havs
learned something from you-some-
thing that | cannot pay for"
Eunice replaced her needle In the
huswife. MY lady," she said, "TII
be better pleased II no mention OF
payment is made-if you'll take what
I've done rs a gift. 1t has been
a privilege-Id a hundred thousand
times not have money. II has meant
much TO me-far more than can ever
tell you. Ay, know that I'm pre-
sumptuous in asking this favor; bu,
once in my life I'll sew for nought
: II seems sacrilege to talk OF
money before him"
She pointed to the buat. Lady Dan.
mans perplexed frown gave place to
n radiant smile. 'I'll offer you no
money" She took Eunice's gnaried