The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-09-12

Aldrich's turn on Gautier's lines as
followed the double trail:
"Howe'er you tread, tiny mould
Betrays that light foot all the same;
Upon this glistening snowy fold
AT every step II signs your name"
A pretty autograph. indeed The snow
fell steadily and / tramped on over the
joint signature Of the girl and the rab-
bit. Near the lake they parted company.
the rabbit leading off on a tangent. on a
line parallel with the lake. while his pur-
suer's steps pointed toward the boat
house
There was, so far as I knew, only one
student Of adventurous blood at ST
Agatha's, and l was not In the least sur
prlsed TO see on the little sheltered bal
cony OF the boat-house. the red tam-o'-
shanter. She wore, too the covert coat
| remembered from the day I saw her
first from tho wall Her back was to-
ward me as l drew near; her hands were
thrust into her pockets. She was evil
IDENTITY enjoying the soft mingling OF the
snow with the still blue waters yof the
lake, and a girl and snow storm are.
II you ask my opinion, a pretty combina-
ton. The fact OF a girls racing a winter
storm argues nightly In her favor
testifles. II you will allow me. to a serene
and dauntess spirit, ror one thing, and
a sound constitution. ror another.
l ran UP the steps, my cap In one hand,
her overshoe In the other
She drew back a trife. just enough to
bring my conscience 10 It's knees.
II didn't mean TO listen that day. just
happened TO be on the wall and IL was a
thoroughly underbred trick-my twittng
you about it-and / should have told you
before IL I'd known how to see you"
May trouble you for that shoe?" she
said with a great deal Of dignity
They taught that cold disdain OF man,
l supposed. as required study at st.
Agathas
"oh. certainly Won't you allow me7'
Thank you, no!'
was relieved 10 tell the truth, for I
had been out of the world for most of
that period in which youngster perfects
himself In such graces as the putting on
of a girls overshoes. She took the damp
bit OF rubber-a wet overshoe. even IL
small and hallowed by associations. isn't
pretty-as Venus might have received
soft-shell crab from the hand OF a fresh
young norman. ! was between her and
the steps TO which her eyes turned long
ingly.
"Of course, II you won't acceps my apol-
ogy / can't do anything about II: but
hope you understand that I'm sincere and
You seem to be making a good deal Of
a small natter"
II wasn't referring to the overshoel'
said
She did not relent.
'If you'll only go away"
She rested one hand against the corner
OF the boat-house while she put on the
overshoe. She wore, | noticed brown
gloves with cuffs
How can | go awayi You children
are always leaving things about for me
TO pick up. I'm perfectly worn out carry
ing some girls beads about with me; and
l spoiled n good glove on your overshoe. ="
'In relieve you Of the beads too, II
you please" And her tone measurably
reduced my stature.
She thrust her hands into the pockets
or her coat and shook the tam o. -shanter
slightly. to establish 10 In a more COM
Portable spot on her head. The beads
had been In my corduroy coat since
found them. l drew them out and gave
them 20 her.
THANK you; thank you very much"
. "Of course they are yours. Miss"
She thrust them into her pocket
"Of course they're mine," she said In
dignantly, and turned 10 GO
Wen waive proof OF property and that
sort of thing" l remarked, with, I fear.
the hope OF OBTAINING her. Tn sorry not
20 establish a more neighborly feeling
with ST. Agathas The stone wall may
seem formidable but it's not Of my build
ing I must open the gate. That wall =
trifle steep for climbing
ITO be continued tomorrow.D