Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1906-08-03
ERNONT PHOENIX, BRATTTEBoRO FRIDAY, AUGUST B. 1906


on.
yes; but our conservation seems
doomed to Interruptions"
80 does life," the woman returned
impulslvely. "All my days are spent
In similar interruptions"
And yet you find time to read, study,
visit, and"
BE young" she interrupted with an
other dash of mischief in her voice
Yes, to be young and happy" as
sented the judge gravely among trlv-
| ialities which would craze me-"
"Oh. no; they would not II once you
were accustomed to them, If they formed
/ a part Of your life. 1 get used to even
the criticism of local boards OF trustees"
she added demurely, bending over the
dolly.
The Judge Strengthened himself and
laid his cane across his knees He look
| ed at her and ran his fingers through
| his hair Kate, what do you mean?"
please don't make It so hard for your
self" she said softly. She laid aside her
dolly and came forward in her chair
clasping her hands together tightly as IL
| In pain, although she still smiled. IL
| know you have come here from the trus-
| tees to criticize me, and l have done
my best to open the way for your criti-
cism, for l have an inkling what It is to
| be; but someway / cannot seem TO make
II easy for you to speak your mind"
| Judge Damn looked straight into the
| dark eyes turned toward him, and said
| unfalteringly: Kate, it's the first time
you ever have opened the way for me to
| speak-my mind"
A faint flush crept over her face a
glow so faint that It might have been
cast by the dying flames in the crate
| Her eyes faltered a moment; but her
voice did not. She ignored the Judges
last remark; but insisted: Now for the
! criticism! / want Il as sharply as IL
| gfN
The judge leaned forward and threw
! a stick on the embers. The flames leap
ed up again, and the light played over
Queen Katherine's" face. He looked
at her quietly and said deliberately:
You are mistaken, Kate; did not come
to criticize"
But the trustees sent you for that
purpose"
Yes, the trustees sent me-" he ac-
| knowledged Il found out what they
wished; but did not promise to fulfll
please tell mel" she pleaded. Her
eyes grew soft and imploring as q child's.
PLEASED
Never" said the Judge firmly, ''and 1
implore you in turn, IL you ever are so
unfortunate as to hear their criticisms.
do not act on them"
why not?"
Judge Damn hesitated. Because you
would rob yourself of one OF your chief
charms. Don't!"
Katherine Rogers's eyes faltered again
for an instant But you are sent here
on business, you know"
No" broke in the judge-'I was sent,
IL is true; but l came for another pur-
pose. came 10 test myself. l am salts
fled with the test"
Katherine leaned back and laid her
hands In her lap. Something in the
judges face suddenly held her.
IT'S been years. Kate since you and
l have talked over life together" Judge
Damn continued slowly. DO you re-
member how such conversations used to
end?"
made quick movement with her hand.
but did not speak.
The man did not look al her. He stared
fixedly at the rain-beaten panes.
Frankly, Kate. / thought that | had
passed by all the emotions OF youth. /
thought that my love for queen Rather
Inc was thing OF the past. wondered
a little when you came here five weeks
ago. watched myself with curiosity
TO learn what my sensations would be-
and when l saw you something within
me seemed to live again. Today" the
judges voice was steady, Il came here
unwillingly, Fate in the form of our
local board sent me here to criticize you
i, Henry Damn. criticize Queen Rather
Inc! p" over the judges face came a
| tender smile. wen, i came
He looked around with n lingering
glance. picked up his hat and rose
Katherine Rogers rose also and stood
In the shadow. She did not speak.
II am not saying this to make you un-
comfortable again, Kate: but because
could not keep II back l have a big
house upon the hill. 1t strikes me now
that it would be a good place to keer
young in. I've grown old there fast
enough, heaven knows! but then, neither
| nor any other man carries the home
stun In himself as you do-and the love
The judges voice broke, and he
moved toward the door. Perhaps ever
yet you might tire Of criticisms and in.
! terruptons II ever you do, and II ever
you could care-I know l could grow
young again with you. Kate; but dom
let me distress you-it's the same Ole
story"
He hestated and held out his hand.
Queen Katherine" came into the last
} rays OF the freight. There were tears
on her cheek. The hand which the judg,
2 held out was unsteady, and the one she
? laid In IL was cold.
Perhaps" she said In a low tone
perhaps there is another side to al
this"
Judge Damn kissed her hand and re
| leased IL. Another side to-" he asked
inquirinRly
l Perhaps | endure the Interruptions
e -alone-perhaps my views OF life havl
i changed since the old college days, an,
perhaps ! rather should have care thar
2 criticism now"
i The gold-headed cane dropped noise
Q lessly on the rug, and Judge Damn ben
and looked searchingly into KATHERINE
a Rogerss eyes. You know / always wal
e stupid, Kate, where you were concerned
Tell me what you mean, so that 1 can
not misunderstood you. I must walk b,
J. sight not by faith"
: She laid her hands on the broad shout
: ders and said gently: This is love, an
d love for you. Henry Damn"
: A little later Judge Damn entered tn
office where sat dozen impatient mer
We'll. what report" asked the prin
o cipal.
n "A favorable report" replied the judg
e quietly. 81 believe you said that tn
o desired end was to benefit but not t
l. offend her?"
e Yes" assented Professor Haley.
81 have not offended her 1 have he
n word for that. You may accept my wor
L for the fact that the conversation wa
T. satisfactory to us both" and with tina
r. the Judge walked out. leaving the meet
n ing TO adjourn itself-IAlice Louise lie
n In Sunday Magazine.
u. For over Sixty Years.
o Mrs, Winslow's Soothing Syrup has bee