New-York tribune., 1906-06-03

!
and she had walked to and from the
~ village store; she rather tired.
She lOOsened the strings of her
bonnet and brushed back over her forehead
a few gray hairs that had Straved against
her cheek. then she folded her hands in her
lap and closed her ewes with contented
SIGH. Soon her head began to nod. and her
breathing grew deeper and more regular,
and Al last she fell asleep.
She had slept perhaps hour, when she
became conscious OF voices near her. At first
She thought II was morning and she just
awaking from her night 5 rest; but gradually
She grew aware OF the fact that she had fallen
asleep on her way home from market and that
Il was not morning but mid-afternoon.
The was bright and warm. and she was
sril weary from her walk; she remained
seated with closed eyes. while the voices came
distinctly TO her ear. \ youth and maiden
were cOrVerslng Just on the opposite side OF
the thick hedge against which She resting
Evidently they believed themselves TO be
alone
Ny little girl i IS very hard TO have to
wait 50 long but YOU know how 1t IS, Alice
while the old folks have need of me It would
be cowardly to think OF marriage.
understand, Tim
" But. dearest the tlrSt voice pleaded pas
sionatelv. YOU VIII wait Tor me-:
" Yes. YES. indeed ! will.
o. An" the mans voice resumed after a
moments pause. 4 know that l asking
great deal-1nOre than ! deserve, Alice but
! love YOU very much and if YOU will wait
II may not be long until free and then.
--v dearest. ! viii do all IN my power to make
vou happy and Con-ented-
= shall be happier waiting for YOU, Tim
than I could be as the wife OF another man
Martha LangtOu brought her hands to her
ears and shut out the few words that followed,
rs the lovers strOlled down the path on the
opposite side OF the hedge. Gentle old soul,
she was ashamed that She had overheard even
as much as she had. Yet her action had been
wholly lnadVeTtent
Bless their foolish hearts, she exclaimed.
rising and looking through a break in the hedg
old r- rl1tar mole
The sent tence was never finished; for something
the retreatng figures OF the lovers closed the liz
OF Martha Langton and for moment took ava
her breath. Then her hand went 10 her heart, an
she reeed backward with a painful cry.
Its Tim i my boy TIM,
Feeblv and painfully she took up her basket an
went toward the little cottage, and her old hanC
furlbled At the latch OF the gate long that IOf
Langf0n thought i locked and lett his work to i
her into the yard Her white face and change
look llled the husband with alarm.
Why. Martha. what the matter: You bean
sick. be You,
No. John; not sick" And Martha Langtc
tried 10 smile away the alarm Of her husband, b
the latter was made the more uneasy by the pitt
smile and. ClaspIng his wife hands exclaimed:
Land sakes, your hands be al cold.
yo, cone right along into the kitchen. and
TX YOU up something hot to drink. This war
spell kind Of makes me faint, too And old Jof
Langton took up the basket and led his wife in
the kitchen Of the little cottage Now, Marth
You rest yourself, while I stir about and make Y
some tea
The tea made and drunk, and the cup and sauc
washed dried and put aside. John Langton sat dow
beside his wife and taking her hands IN his ask
Il She did not feel better.
Martha Langron was silent for awhile. She "
thinking Of the lovers-of Alice BAILEY and her b,
Tim Should she LEI John know All. she mus
She must not conceal from her husband that tn
both were thicves-theves OF youth and lie Al
love thieves OF their boys happiness.
Iohr
Well Martha"