The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1906-01-17
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1 wonder, said Ellen Shirley to he
sister Fanny, what has come owe
papa. For several days he hos beer
dreaming, At times there seems Il
fiutter within him something OF hi
faraway youth. I can sec ii III Iii.
step, his eye, his smile. though h,
smiles so seldom
Heaven grant,. replied Fanny
changing color, that he has not beer
caught by some designing woman
How terrible to think Of a specially
manufactured mother"
Richard Shirley's married life had
been devoid Of anything more than d
family affection. His wife was cold
woman. whom he had married for llel
fortune. She had given herself, but hel
fortune she had retained In her own
keeping yainly had their younger
daughter Fanny, tried TO shield her
father from the mothers reminders
that she held. the purse strings. Ricn-
ard Shirley had been married. but be
had never known what 1t was to be
mated.
The family remained at their country
seat TIL after the holidays. and every
morning Mr. Shirley took his constitu-
tional walk, usually alone On Ger
tain morning In November after a
storm, when the afr was full Of ozone.
few red leaves were clingIng to the
trees and a thin coat of ice covered
the smaller streams. he was walking
along road. Ahead Of him he saw 4
carriage that had evidently been stall
ed or broken down. When he came up
two llvcrIed servants were examining
a broken spring, one of them just start
ing to find blacksmith A Indy had
alighted from the coach and was stand
ing looking on. On seeing Mr.. Shirley
she stepped forward to meet him.
I'VE meet inopportunely,s she said,
extending her hand, latter so long a
separation
Separation. What separation Are
you not mistaken in your person, mad
amp
mo, Mr.. Shirley, am not mistaken.
/ am not likely to have forgotten you.
But why stand here7 Let us go to the
stone bridge yonder while my men are
looking out for the repairs"
Mr., Shirley walked beside her and
they sat on the stone coping Of the
bridge. Too gallant to acknowledge
that he did not recognize her, lie re-
Trained from speech.
''Do you remember she said, "one
evening years, many years, ago a
young girl sitting in her music room!
Her piano stood against the wall, her
harp in recess, sheet music scattered
about From a bay window was a
view Of river, with mountains be
yond. while between were the happy
autumn fields, There was career be.
fore TIE girl. but love stole in 10 de-
prlye her OF IT.. The man who drew her
from 1t was handsome, winnlug.~r IRE.
fined. aristocratic he, too. had de-
cislon to make. He was bern to for
tune: fortune was needful to him, set
he was without fortune. should he
give himself to poor girl or reserve
himself for wealthy oncl
They sat before the window, but
not looking out. They were gazing into
each others eyes. Each knew the 9TH
er's problem. The man bent forward,
placing his lips near hers. His right
arm rested on the back OF the sofa
ready to fall about her waist TIis left
hand nearly touched hers. She must
decide whether to accept what might
come by remaining where she was or
decline It by rising. She decided to re-
main, to give up her career for him.
Suddenly he arose. went to the win.
dow and looked out He had decided
for himself, and he had altered her de-
cision'
The old man when she began had
been looking straight into her eye.
She was at least ten years younger
than he and far better preserved. In
Iced. she was still handsome woman.
She had been beautiful. Before she
finished dimness came before his
Dyes. and he turned them toward a
wood on the other side of the road.
Then his hand found its way to hers.
What had the fortune he never got
been to him in place OF that sweet
which, springing suddenly
between recognized mates, grows
stronger, deeper, boiler to the end?
Slowly he turned and looked her In the
Eyes
x remember" he said.
That decision gave me succession
unee
1T gave me neither. 1t deprived me
u that which is worth far more than
,oth--love.p
Our summer is past" she went on;
we have sowed our seed and have |
gathered the harvest. Now we are
'nly waiting That love we knew in
'ur youth we cannot know now. We
AN but treasure memory. 1t IL a
amt satisfaction, like Whit from a
rose, yet 1t may help us as
'ur faculties wane and we await the !
Inevitable winter that here at least has
10 awakening spring"
IL VIII be more than that to me- he
aid. 1T will be cheering light on
What is left Of the path ! tread; light
rom which all that is sensual has
'urned away. n will greet me when I
waken in the morning, and after my
yes have been closed at night 1t win
till shine In upon my heart"
The footman, leaving the carriage.
anne toward them, saluted and an.
ounced that the break had heen tan,.