Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-02-17

faced with becoming resignation what she felt would be h0r last day Of en. tire freedom. She was down and out philosophically to play nine holes with 1 her host before breakfast. Her brother after a night of 1t with Mauburn, awakening less happily, made . series of discoveries regarding his bodily sensations that caused him to view life with disaffection. Noting that the hour was early, however, he took cheer, and after . long, strong. cold drink, which he rang for, and . pricking icy shower, which he nerved himself to, he was ready to ignore his aching head and get the start of Mau- burn.
 Outside most of the others had scat tered for life in the open, each to his taste. Some were on the links. Some i had gone with the coach. A few had ridden early to the meet of the Essex hounds near Easthampton, where a stiff run was expected. Others had gone to follow the hunt in traps. A lively group came back now to read the morning papers by the log ire in the big cheery hall. Among these were Percival and Miss Milbrey. When they had dawdled over the papers for an hour Miss Milbrey grew slightly res i tive.
 ] Why doesn't he have it over?" she ] asked herself, with some impatience. And she delicately gave Percival, not an opportunity, but opportunities to make an opportunity, which is vastly i different form of procedure. l But the luncheon hour came and people struggled back, and the after noon began, and the request for Miss , Milbreys heart and hand was still un- accountably deferred. Nor could she ! feel any of those subtle premonitions that usually warn a woman when the event is preparing in lovers secret heart.
 | Reminding herself of his letters, she began to suspect that, while he could write unreseryedly, he might be shy and reluctant of speech; and that shy ness now deterred him. So much be- ing clear, she determined to force the i issue and end the strain for both. Percival had shown not a little in- l terest in pretty Mrs. Akemit, and was ! now talking with that fascinating crea- ture as she lolled on 8 low seat before the fire in her lacy blue house gown. At the moment she was adroitly pos | ing one foot and then the other before the warmth of the grate. It may be disclosed without damage to this tale that the feet of Mrs. Akemit were not cold; but that they were trihes most daintily shod, and, as her slender sil- ken ankles curved them toward the blaze from her froth of petticoat, they were worth looking at.
 Miss Millbrey disunited the chatting couple with swiftness and aplomb.
 Come, MT. Zines, if I'm to take that tramp you made me promise you, it's time we were off."
 Outside she laughed deliciously. You know you did make me promise 1t men, tally, because I knew you'd want to come and want me to come, but was afraid Mrs. Akemit mightn't under stand about telepathy, so pretended we'd arranged IL all in words"
 "Of course! Great joke, wasn't it?" assented the young man, rather awk- wardly.
 Down the broad sweep of roadway, running between its granite coping, they strode at . smart pace.
 You know you complimented my walking powers on that other walk we took, away of there where the sun goes down."
 "Yes, of course" he replied absently.
 "Now, he's beginning" she sad to herself, noting his absent and soms- 1 what embarrassed manner.
 In reality he was thinking how few were the days ago he woulf have held tais the dearest of all privileges, and how strange that he should now prize it % lightly. almost prefer, indeed, not to have 1t; that he should regard hsr, of all women, "the fairest of all flesh on earth" with nervous distrust. i She was dressed In tan corduroy; elation was in her face; her waist, as she stepped, showed supple as a will low; her suede-gloved little hands were compact and tempting to his grasp. His se-ses breathed the air of her per feet and compelling femininity. But sharper than all these impressions rang the words of the worldly-wise Higbee: She's hunting night and day for rich husband; she tries for them as fasl as they come; she'd rather mar " a sub-treasury-she'd marry me in a minute-she's marry you; but if you were broke she'd have about as much use for you
 Her glance was frank, friendly, and encouraging. Her deep eyes were clear as a trout-brook. He thought he saw in them once almost tenderness for him.
 She thought. "He does love mel"
 Outside the grounds they turned down a bridle-path that led on through the woods-of through the golden sun- wine of an October day. The air bore a clean autumn spice. and faint salty scent blended with 1t from the distant sound. The autumn silence. which is the only perfect silence in all the world, was restful. yet full of sig nifcance. suggestion. provocation. From the spongy lovland back of them eaus the nleadins sueetness of a